How to Disciple Your Children
By: Tess Picone
In the whirlwind that is parenting, sometimes you can lose sight of what discipleship should look like. But that’s just the thing—discipleship happens right in the midst of the chaos. It looks like using every moment you have—even if you only have a minute—to share the good news of the gospel with your children. Since discipleship should be an ongoing process, let’s learn more about what discipleship is and how you can teach your children more about Jesus.
What is Discipleship?
To begin, a “disciple” is most often used to refer to a follower of Jesus. A disciple is someone who learns from Jesus and endeavors to live like Him. Discipleship, then, is the process of teaching others about Jesus and how to follow Him. This process is laid out for us in the Great Commission, which tells us that discipleship involves: going, baptizing, and teaching (Matthew 28:19–20). We’re called to teach others about the Word of God so that they might follow Him. While this teaching certainly includes formal Bible study time, it’s also so much more than that. It involves instructing others in how to live a life conformed to Jesus at every opportunity: as you meet for dinner, walk in the park, or grab a cup of coffee. Discipleship is about taking moments to share how wonderful Jesus is and pointing others to know and love Him more.
As a parent, you are called to teach your children about Jesus throughout their whole lives (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). The biggest goal of parenthood is not that your kids graduate in the top 10% of their class or play for a D1 college sports team, but that they would know God’s eternal love for them and commit their lives to following Him.
Ways to Disciple Your Children
Every day can present opportunities to point your kids to Jesus. It also means that there’s not just one right way to disciple your children.
Here are three practical ways for you to disciple your children:
1. Read the Bible
One way to disciple your children is to open your Bible and read it together. You could start at the beginning of the Bible or read your favorite book. You could even find a Bible reading plan that has already done the work to map out your daily readings. (For example, The Daily Grace Co.’s reading plans in the Gospel at Home magazine include a daily Scripture reading plan as well as verses for your children to memorize!) There’s no magic formula to reading the Bible with your family. It can be as simple as reading a passage, talking about it, and praying together. Rest in the knowledge that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
2. Sing Songs
Another way to disciple your children is through songs. Singing can help your children learn important biblical truths—shaping their heart to trust and believe. The great thing about music is that you can play it anywhere and at any time. Additionally, this tool is a great way to start conversations about the gospel with your children. It can be as simple as saying, “I like this song. What do you think about it?” or “God is so good. What do you learn about God from this song?”
Whether your conversations with your children are short or long, you’re still bringing the gospel into your everyday chatter with them—and that’s always a win.
3. Memorize Scripture
Scripture memorization is a great way to bring God’s Word into the hearts of your children. And as they store up God’s Word in their hearts and minds, God’s Spirit will work in their lives to form their character to look more like Jesus. You can work with your children to memorize a single verse in the Bible or even try to memorize a whole psalm. If you focus on longer passages of Scripture, take it one verse at a time each week. Additionally, talk about that passage or verse as you eat breakfast and gather around the table. Ask your children what God is teaching them and how that verse has encouraged them this week.
As you go about your days, teaching your children to know and love Jesus, keep these words of Jesus close to your heart: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Take comfort knowing that Jesus is with you and will never abandon you in your efforts to disciple your children. You have an ever-present help with you as you use every moment to share how wonderful Jesus is. May your children always remember God’s eternal love for them and commit each day to follow Him.
