Partnership: Family According to God’s Plan

The Need

• Parents are called to be their children’s primary evangelists and disciple-makers.
• “Do as I say and not as I do” will not work in discipleship.
• It’s difficult for an hour-long service to combat a week-long environment.
• Realigning a church’s programming while equipping parents will create the best chance of success for the youngest among us.

‍The Word: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

• The unrivaled God deserves an unrivaled devotion (6:4-5).
• God’s Word must be the essential guide for every aspect of our lives (6:6).
• Parents must take diligent responsibility for the spiritual formation of their children (6:7).
• We must view discipleship as a process rather than a program (6:7).
• Allow God’s Word to permeate our lives, to fill our homes, and to invade our communities (6:8-9).

‍The Task

• Fight Against the Common Concerns
  
  • What if I don’t present the information correctly? 
    
    • Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.”
    • Be committed enough to say, “I’ll find out.”
  • Wouldn’t a trained professional be more trustworthy? 
    
    • A pastor might know the material better, but he will not know your child better.
    • Your proximity to your child will endure even when other role models change. 
  • What if I turn them off to Christianity? 
    
    • Children aren’t turned off to Christianity if their parents are devoted disciples but if they are fake followers. 
    • Let your love for Jesus be undeniably contagious.
• Work With the Proven Methods
  
  • Chronologically Teach the Bible 
    
    • Teaching children isolated stories can teach moral lessons but possibly neglect God’s truth.
    • Prioritize a method of teaching your children the big picture of the Bible. 
  • Highlight Teachable Moments 
    
    • Embrace the scheduled and spontaneous moments of family discipleship.
    • The most memorable lessons are often associated with a pivotal experience. 
  • Initiate Open-Ended Questions 
    
    • Refrain from using leading or closed questions to determine a child’s real comprehension of spiritual matters.
    • Always show motivation and excitement when a child is interested in spiritual matters. 
  • Live an Authentic Example 
    
    • Children can tell the difference between a parent’s desire and obligation.
    • If you aren’t satisfied with your child imitating your example in a particular area, you must make changes now. 
  • Decipher a Child’s Readiness 
    
    • Beware the danger of a child desiring spiritual growth due to peer or parental pressure.
    • Parents should continue to monitor progress over the years to reaffirm decisions and discipleship.