Do you feel the challenge of staying invested in the discipleship of your children? Maybe you feel stretched by other commitments or maybe you feel discouraged waiting to see fruit from your efforts.
In His Word, God gives us the direction and encouragement we need to help our children know and treasure Him. The verses that follow (all ESV) guide and inspire us in the patterns of discipleship that God uses to bring children to Himself:
Modeling: Walk before your children as a daily example of hoping in God, finding joy in Christ, and depending on the Spirit.
- Deuteronomy 6:5–6 – You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
- Philippians 4:9 – What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Family Discipleship Moments: Use everyday “along the way” opportunities for gospel-centered conversations.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 – You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
- Psalm 145:4 – One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
- Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their children but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
- Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Family Worship: Regularly read the Bible, pray, and sing together as a family.
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Psalm 78:5–7 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
[6] that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
[7] so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; - Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Corporate Worship: Regularly gather as a family for preaching and teaching, worship, and fellowship with the local church.
- Psalm 122:1 – Let us go to the house of the Lord!
- Hebrews 10:24–25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Ephesians 4:11–13 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
- Colossians 1:28 – Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Bible Study & Memorization: Introduce children to the breadth and depth of the Bible and help them hide it in their hearts through Scripture memory.
- Acts 20:26–27 – Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
- 2 Timothy 3:14–17 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings… [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
- Psalm 119:11 – I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Gospel Proclamation: Beginning early, present the key essential truths of the gospel and repeat and explain them with increasing depth.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 – … from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20–21 – Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Prayer: Pray in dependence on God’s sovereign grace for the faith of your children and teach your children to pray.
- Philippians 4:6 – do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- Colossians 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
- James 5:16b – The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
May these Scriptures encourage you as you establish and grow faithful patterns of family discipleship.
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Find age-specific plans and resources for the discipleship of your children: truth78.org/lifestage
