Discipleship: A Vision for Our Families
Discipleship is a word we hear a lot within the church. In fact, I think we have used it often enough, and in varying ways, that it has become one of those “Christianese” words we use without really considering its full meaning and weight.
I want to examine and work through what discipleship means and looks like within the family. How do we make disciples of our children? What does that really mean?
Let’s process through a couple things together. First, what do we really mean when we say “make disciples?” Why does it matter?
Second, when we understand the call to make disciples, how does that influence the way we parent? What is our ultimate goal?
Definition
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “disciple” as “a person who believes in the ideas of a leader, especially a religious or political one, and tries to live according to those ideas.”
I liked this definition better than some others because it includes not just the believing of an idea, but the fact that a disciple tries to live according to the ideas in which they believe.
From this dictionary definition, I saw two key things:
A disciple is a person who believes in the ideas of another person.
The disciple doesn’t just agree, but believes to the point of action.
From this definition, in a Christian context we could say that making a disciple is:
leading someone to the person and teachings of Jesus…
so that they come to believe in His identity and teachings…
to the extent that they desire to live out those teachings and commands.
Scripture
The Bible tells us Jesus had disciples in his time on earth:
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him (Matthew 5:1).”
“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him (Matthew 8:23).”
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).”
Jesus taught his disciples and they followed him, learning and doing alongside Jesus. But discipleship isn’t just an identity or a pursuit, it is a command - for them and for us today:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus tasks us with making disciples, and specifically teaching them to observe his commandments. This is more than convincing someone to believe in Jesus, in His identity. This is leading them in both belief and in action.
Parenting and Discipleship
As parents, we have tremendous influence and access to be this kind of leader in the lives of our children. We have the privilege of being the ones to introduce our children to Jesus. And as they grow, to explain not just how God calls us to live, but why.
This year, I look forward to walking through some specific ways we can do that, as well as sharing what other families are actually doing to teach their children in this way.
But today, I want to zoom out and set our eyes on the broader goal. Our long-term aim as parents is to instruct our children - both spiritually and beyond - so they can launch into the world as capable, independent people. And as Christian parents, we have the additional goal of leading our children to become disciples of Jesus.
In light of that goal, the question I’ve been asking myself is whether my eyes are set on training my kids toward becoming their own, independent disciples of Jesus, or if I am getting lost in training for obedience and good behavior. In other words, am I training disciples of Jesus, or disciples of me?
We live in a world where it is especially easy to be a disciple of a pastor, podcaster, or a parent - to get our knowledge of Christ from second-hand sources and not really have a deep relationship with the person of Christ ourselves.
I long to see my children know and seek Christ personally and directly, through His Word. My prayer this year for my children - and their entire generation - is that they would know the truth of Christ and follow his commands because they are learning the Bible and seeking Him there.
Whether toddlers or teenagers, we get to lead our children to the life-giving words of God. And we are not alone in this work. He promises, “…I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).”
Will you join me? Let’s set our eyes on making more disciples of Jesus, starting in our homes, with our children.