Simplify Your Family Discipleship

by PJ Keen, October 27th, 2022.

I am the kind of person who gets fascinated and interested in random hobbies. I like trying new things and learning everything I can about those things. For example, I got into working out. I started running and biking and LOVED it! I still do at times. But after a month of this, I thought it was time to ramp up my routine. I love superhero movies, so I downloaded Tom Holland's Spider-Man workout, aka what Tom Holland did to get ready for the Spider-Man movies. Needless to say, one day in, I was completely done with any form of working out. I never even wanted to see a Spider-Man movie again. 

Family discipleship needs to be steady and consistent. It is more about consistency and finding the moments in everyday life that point to Christ than doing these outlandish devotional times. For example, the idea that you will start tomorrow, and every night after, making your kids sit on the floor, holding hands, singing "Kumbaya," and reciting different Psalms from memory is an out-of-reach goal from doing nothing. My point is this. Don't start with a Spider-Man workout and quit the next day because you are defeated. 

Listen to Moses' words in Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates."

Notice he gives examples of times of discipleship while we are doing something, living life. While you are walking or going places, going to bed, getting up in the morning, and sitting around the house. We are supposed to live a lifestyle of family discipleship. So how can we live it with intentionality so that it becomes a lifestyle? Here are some helpful ideas you can use to make realistic goals. 

Pray with them. Pray with your kids from day one. Teach them to pray at night before they go to bed. This is so easy. If you have time to put the blanket over them, you can pray with them. Even if it is not at night, pray with your kids at least once a day. It is never too early (or too late) to teach your children to pray.

Asked them. Asked them what they learned at church and lean into their responses. Ask your kids about school and if you can pray for them in any way. Initiate spirit-filled conversations.

Share with them. Share what the Lord is doing in your life. Make it appropriate, but share how you are growing in your faith or something you got out of the sermon. Hearing their parent talk about spiritual things openly allows them to feel comfortable sharing. 

Consistency is key. Start with a small, realistic plan. A lifestyle of discipleship that happens every day is the goal. Not a patchwork of well-intended devotions. 

All Scripture is taken out of the CSB translation, 2017.