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Raising Teens of Integrity: A Conversation with the Bryant Family

What happens when you combine homeschooling, faith, and a whole lot of family creativity? For the Bryant family, it resulted in not just years of learning together, but also writing a book as a family that encourages kids to walk in integrity.

In this episode of The Feast Life Podcast, I had the joy of interviewing an entire family for the very first time—dad Bobby and his three amazing teens, Ava, BJ, and Joseph. Together, they share how homeschooling shaped their character, the role of daily discipleship in their home, and the story behind their book Trusting Timothy.

Homeschooling with a Foundation of Faith

The Bryants began homeschooling from the very start—preschool through high school—and recently graduated their last student. Dad Bobby reflected that the decision wasn’t easy at first, especially since both he and his wife went through the public school system. But their desire to raise their children on a foundation of Christian values made the choice clear.

Daily family Bible studies became the heartbeat of their homeschool. Each morning, before math or history, they opened the Word together. This consistency not only taught Scripture but also created a safe culture where honesty, accountability, and grace could flourish.

The Kids’ Perspective on Homeschooling

I loved hearing from the Bryant teens themselves. They shared that homeschooling gave them freedom to pursue their passions—from tennis and web design to creative writing and even running a comedy YouTube channel. Ava shared that one of her favorite things was learning alongside her brothers, something that strengthened their sibling bond.

But more than flexibility, they all emphasized the gift of being taught in the Lord’s ways—something they carry with them into adulthood.

Why Write a Book About Cheating?

So why did the family decide to write a children’s book—and why focus on cheating?

Bobby explained that the idea was inspired by his own grandmother, who first introduced him to Christ and nicknamed him “Timothy.” Together as a family, they wanted to honor that legacy and pass on biblical wisdom to kids.

Cheating may seem like an odd topic for homeschoolers, but the Bryants pointed out that the temptation exists everywhere—whether it’s on a test, in sports, or in everyday life. Their book Trusting Timothy uses story and Scripture to show kids why integrity matters and how God’s Word provides the strength to do the right thing.

Building Integrity in Everyday Moments

What struck me most was how the Bryants talked about creating a family culture of honesty. The kids shared that their parents always made it clear they could come to them with mistakes. Yes, there would be consequences—but it was always better to be truthful than to hide.

And the example started with the parents. Bobby mentioned that he and his wife tried to model accountability themselves, admitting when they were wrong and pointing everyone back to God’s Word as the true standard.

As Joseph put it, “Integrity is about accountability—and we learned that because our parents showed us how.”

Teaching Resilience: “Never Quit and Keep God First”

Beyond honesty, the Bryants also emphasized resilience. Ava shared about wanting to quit a challenging coding class but being encouraged to persevere. Their family motto became:

1. Keep God first.
   
   
2. Never quit just because it’s hard.
   
   

That mindset—combined with daily reminders of Scripture—helped the kids build perseverance, grit, and a deeper trust in God’s plan.

5 Lessons from the Bryant Family

Here are five takeaways from our conversation:

1. Faith first – Start your homeschool day with Scripture to set the tone.
   
   
2. Model accountability – Parents who own their mistakes teach kids to do the same.
   
   
3. Integrity matters everywhere – Cheating isn’t just about tests; it’s about how we live when no one’s watching.
   
   
4. Resilience is learned – Encourage kids to stick with hard things instead of quitting.
   
   
5. Keep God first – When He’s at the center, everything else will fall into place.
   
   

Final Encouragement

As Bobby reminded us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Whether you’re just starting out in homeschooling or finishing strong with teens, the Bryant family’s story is a beautiful reminder that academics are only part of the picture. What matters most is raising children who love God, walk in integrity, and know that their identity is rooted in Him.

About Our Guest:

The Bryants are a Christian family who strongly believe in the power of GOD'S WORD. They are excited to share this message through Trusting Timothy: A Story About Cheating.

Connect with the Bryants:

Website: https://trustingtimothy.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustingtimothy_official/

Trusting Timothy Book: https://amzn.to/4gRuS1D