And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 [NASB]
Discipleship is the process of teaching our children values they will internalize, so that they will continue to follow Christ when they are unsupervised, and eventually on their own.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32
What Is A Disciple?
Consider an apprentice. An apprentice would go to live with his master. This was not only so the master would teach the apprentice the skills needed, but so the apprentice could observe the master all the time. The apprentice could learn from the master even when not being actively taught. Over time the apprentice would learn enough to be able to take on certain tasks on his own, with the goal being to finally be able not only to assist the master, but take his place.
In our Christian homes, our children live with us, and look up to us with not only the respect of an apprentice to a master, but the love of a child to a parent. When we have proper relationships in the home, the children want to be like the parents, and become first able assistants, and be able to one day take their parents place. They start as willing disciples.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 [KJV]
Other translations render that as “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” For parents, this verse sums up discipleship. We are to both be and make disciples – to make copies of Christ. We need to live our lives in a such a way, that our children can see and follow Christ by following us. We need to intentionally and boldly reach out and bring them along.
What Does That Look Like?
Talk to them, play with them, spend time with them. Intentionally engage them at levels that interest them. Involve yourself in childish things to show your love and interest in them. Don’t worry, they’ll eventually be interested in things that you are, but your interest shows your love today, so they’ll want that time with you tomorrow.
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1 Corinthians 9:20-23
Remember proximity is not enough. Being around your family is not the same as being with your family.
Talk about things serious and small. God is in everything, show them that.
Talk to their friends. Know the young people and families they are associating with.
Take them to church. Teach them to love and participate in Christ’s brotherhood by showing them what that means. Their relationship with the church will mirror yours. How do you talk about your brothers and sisters, your ministry, things going on in the church? They hear all these things – are they hearing your love for Jesus and His bride?
It Starts With You
Most important of all, decide who you are. If your children follow your example, how involved with they be in the church, how close will their walk with Christ be?
Is being a Christian an attribute of what you are, like being a farmer, a teacher, a parent…
Or is being a Christian what you are.
Is Christian your identity? Is following Christ the most important thing in your life? Is being a disciple of Christ – becoming more like Jesus every day – the most important thing in your life? If it is, then you will be able to make disciples of your children. When they follow you, they will be following Christ.
You Are Empowered To Do This
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14
What is Jesus greatest work? Why did He come?
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
Winning your children for Christ is doing the work that He has done. He will come and be with you every step of the way, if Christian is who you are.