Last week while listening to Phil Vischer speak at the Kidzmatter web summit, he said something that really struck me. (I don’t have the perfect quote, like I said it hit me hard!) He said something like this, “in a perfect world, parents would be discipling their children, BUT who has taught them how to disciple?”
Let that sink in for a moment. I don’t think may would argue with me today that most believers today do not know theology or doctrine very well, let alone understand how they can explain it to others. Am I wrong? I don’t think so.
So, the question that Phil has asked is a powerful one for leaders. What can we do to make sure that our parents are equipped to disciple their children? If we are expecting parents to take what is being taught on Sundays, what are we doing to equip and resource them so that they can fulfill what Deuteronomy 6 commands us to do?
How can we expect parents to disciple their children if they have never been show how to do it? The church must be more intentional in this process. We need to walk step by step with parents, making sure we make it part of their natural rhythm of life. Help them see that this isn’t just something to add into their life, but this IS their life. This is what God values.
I want to challenge dads to instead of making it a priority to be their kid’s soccer coach, take the challenge to coach their kids spiritually! Show them how to read the Bible, pray, serve, give, and love.
If we are serious about disciple making let’s get intentional about coaching parents, even if it only starts with a few, it will catch on. It has to!
So are we mixed up? Are we focusing on the right things?
What can we do to make stronger disciples of Christ?
Tom…
Point well-taken. But on the other hand, how many children’s/youth pastors do you come across who do the majority (or any significant amount) of their teaching with parents? Seems to me that the “elephant in the living room” with the Orange approach, or other family-based ministry philosophies is that the parent needs to value the resources that the church staff brings to the table, and the folks in children’s/youth/family ministry have to do more to build relationships with parents.
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, I agree that many of the children/youth ministries don’t focus on the training of the parents as it is assumed that the “small group” ministry is doing this. But I think that is where churches come up short because often times small groups have total freedom to discuss whatever they desire. My challenge to churches is that we need to become more intentional to make sure discipleship is happening there. If not there then systems need to be in place to encourage individual discipleship. We need to strengthen parents relationships with Christ so that they can and will see the importance of training up their children. Yes, we need to help parents value what is happening on Sundays and see it as launchpad for the rest of the week where they can build into a child’s life. Most miss opportunities to speak words of Truth into their life or mistakenly figure its the churches job. We are to partner together so see a child walk with Christ.