Podcast Summary: Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

Episode: Training Kids to Listen to the Right Voices
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Host/Author: Focus on the Family
Guest: Rich Griffith, Part-Time Pastor and Associate Professor of Youth Ministry

Introduction

In the March 21, 2025 episode of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, hosts Jim Daly and John Fuller engage in a profound discussion with Rich Griffith, a part-time pastor and associate professor of youth ministry. The episode, titled "Training Kids to Listen to the Right Voices," delves into the challenges Christian parents face today in guiding their children amidst a barrage of diverse and often conflicting influences.

Guest Background

Rich Griffith opens up about his personal journey, highlighting his military background and his transition into ministry and academia. As a single father of three—Aaron (25), Dylan (22), and Jamie (16)—Rich shares his heartfelt decision to adopt his youngest son from the foster care system, emphasizing the profound impact of Focus on the Family's ministry on his life.

[00:38] Jim Daly: "Rich, welcome to Focus on the Family. Good to have you."
[05:44] Rich Griffith: "Don't enter it lightly... I put godly voices in the lives of my other kids. They all had mentors. They all had other people they can call to because it kept me honest."

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Importance of Discernment in Children's Lives

Rich Griffith underscores the necessity for children to discern between positive and negative voices. He references James 1:27 to highlight the theological foundation for discerning true influences.

[08:16] Rich Griffith: "I think what I've started realizing is... The church has done a poor job... We need to empower parents."

2. The Overabundance of Influences in the Modern Age

The hosts and Rich discuss how today's children are bombarded with an overwhelming number of voices through social media, television, and other platforms. This saturation makes it challenging for parents to be the primary faith influencers.

[12:00] Rich Griffith: "If you're not spending time with your children, if you're not being transparent, why would they trust you?"

3. Building Trust Through Time, Transparency, and Trust

Rich introduces three essential filters for parents: Time, Transparency, and Trust. He explains that investing time, being transparent, and building trust are foundational for children to listen to and respect their parents' guidance.

[11:18] Rich Griffith: "Think of Erik Erickson's psychosocial development... time, transparency, and trust."

4. The Role of Mentors and Community in Parenting

Emphasizing the importance of mentors, Rich shares personal anecdotes about his son's relationship with Ms. Harriet, a spiritual grandmother figure who provides additional guidance and support.

[16:45] Rich Griffith: "My youngest son has a spiritual mentor, Ms. Harriet... She was the belle of the ball."

5. Scriptural Foundations for Parenting

The conversation delves into how scripture guides parenting practices. Rich recounts a pivotal moment with his son Dylan, using Psalm 18 to illustrate God's unwavering support, fostering a deep sense of trust and identity in Christ.

[19:35] Rich Griffith: "He said, dad, what it tells me is God will never leave me or forsake me, no matter what."

6. Identity Formation in Christ

Rich discusses the extended period of identity formation in today's youth, linking it to biblical principles. He emphasizes that a child's identity should be rooted in Christ, contrasting it with the fleeting identities offered by worldly influences.

[24:16] Rich Griffith: "Our identity is in Christ... Do you want to be created in the image of the world or recreated in the image of the world?"

Personal Stories and Practical Applications

Rich shares heartfelt stories from his own parenting journey, such as the incident where his son Dylan returned home injured from an accident. Instead of focusing on consequences, Rich prioritized his son's well-being, reinforcing trust and unconditional love.

[23:40] Rich Griffith: "The moment I knew that you love me was when you were more concerned about me rather than the dumb decision that I did."

These anecdotes serve to illustrate the practical application of building trust and maintaining open, honest communication with children.

Challenges from Social Media and Multiple Voices

The episode highlights the detrimental impact of social media, which Rich describes as a "product" pushing agendas rather than fostering genuine connections. This environment makes it difficult for children to discern truth from fiction, hence the increased need for strong parental guidance.

[13:11] Rich Griffith: "Social media gives our kids time? No, it's a product, it's consumerism... it actually in some ways can destroy your time."

Building Healthy Interdependence

Rich advocates for teaching children healthy interdependence, where actions impact others, rather than fostering codependency or extreme independence. This approach aligns with the biblical concept of community and mutual growth in Christ.

[15:28] Rich Griffith: "Interdependence... the beauty of the church as family is we understand that our relationships are vital to each other."

Scriptural Insights and Biblical Examples

Rich refers to the story of Elijah to illustrate how God communicates beyond dramatic signs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's presence in the "whisper" of everyday life.

[20:16] Rich Griffith: "God does fire and he does the earthquake and he does a great wind... He's in the whisper."

Conclusion and Resources

The episode concludes with Jim Daly and John Fuller highlighting Rich Griffith's book, Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel. They encourage listeners to obtain copies through donations to Focus on the Family, emphasizing the ministry's role in providing trustworthy resources for Christian families.

[28:13] Rich Griffith: "What's eternal? That's exactly right. Where is your eternal?"

Listeners are invited to support the ministry and receive practical tools to navigate the complexities of modern parenting, ensuring their children develop strong, Christ-centered identities.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jim Daly [01:23]: "Parents, we need all the help we can get."
• Rich Griffith [05:44]: "I put godly voices in the lives of my other kids."
• Rich Griffith [10:06]: "Parents have a tremendous amount of influence in their teenager's life."
• Rich Griffith [19:35]: "God will never leave me or forsake me, no matter what."
• Rich Griffith [24:16]: "Our identity is in Christ... Do you want to be created in the image of the world or recreated in the image of the world?"

Final Thoughts

This episode of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly offers invaluable insights into modern Christian parenting. Rich Griffith's personal experiences and scholarly perspectives provide a roadmap for parents striving to cultivate trust, discernment, and a strong Christ-centered identity in their children. By emphasizing the importance of time, transparency, and trust, and by leveraging mentors and community support, parents can effectively guide their children through the myriad of voices they encounter daily.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the resources offered by Focus on the Family, including Rich Griffith's book, to further equip themselves in this vital aspect of family life.