{"id":4079,"date":"2018-10-08T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2018-10-08T13:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=4079"},"modified":"2019-03-14T15:07:55","modified_gmt":"2019-03-14T20:07:55","slug":"discipling-our-children-in-the-way-of-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2018\/10\/08\/discipling-our-children-in-the-way-of-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Discipling our Children in the Way of Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Dr. Michelle Anthony<\/p>\n

Nothing is more important than discipling our children. Discipleship is the mission we have been entrusted with in the Great Commission and our children are our first priority in this endeavor.<\/p>\n

As we look at the example of Jesus we see that although all were invited to follow Jesus, only twelve men were invited to be part of Jesus\u2019s inner circle. He was tenacious in teaching them to ensure that they were clear on why He was there and what His mission was.<\/p>\n

Not only did He understand His disciples\u2019 complexities, He was sympathetic to their faults and weaknesses. However, Jesus never allowed His disciples to use these as excuses to become stagnant. His faithful example was indelible on their hearts and minds, and when He returned to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to abide with and in them to ensure the mission would continue. These very things can be applied to our families when discipling our children using Jesus\u2019 model of inspire, equip<\/em> and support<\/em>.<\/p>\n

To inspire <\/em>our children in the area of discipleship means we will not mandate growth with a heavy hand of burdensome rules and regulations, but rather we will take time to inspire our children toward living in a daily relationship with God as we model what this looks like in our own lives.<\/p>\n

In addition, we can equip <\/em>our children by intentionally assessing what is needed for spiritual growth. We need to consider what kind of training will allow them to grow and mature in their dependence of God and His Holy Spirit. Parents who prayerfully seek to not interfere in rescuing their children when necessary, knowing that God will use trials to mature their faith, will find that difficult situations can become great spiritual mentors.<\/p>\n

Support <\/em>can often be one of the weak areas in parenting. We are often busy and distracted in the daily management of family life and we neglect our children\u2019s hearts. Do our children have spiritual pastoral care in our homes for their hurts, sins, relationship issues, problems, or simply when they are having a bad day? Can they come to us to rejoice, celebrate, get motivated, or share audacious ideas?<\/p>\n

All of these things lead to healthy discipleship and all are required in spiritual parenting. This is the ministry Psalm 78 commissions us to do: to pass on faith from generation to generation, even to those yet to be born <\/em>(v. 6). Faith that lasts will take more from our families than attending church and prayers before meals and bedtime. While these are good things, they are simply not enough.<\/p>\n

For discipleship to take place in the family, we will need to have eyes to see beyond \u201cjust getting through the day\u201d, to be disciplined in our own spiritual maturation (because we cannot give away something that we do not have) and not grow weary in well doing.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, to live as kingdom minded families, we will need to understand the mission to transform this generation by teaching our children to abide daily in Christ. This is truly the Blessed life Jesus speaks of when He calls us to live in His kind of kingdom.<\/p>\n

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Family Assessment<\/u>:<\/p>\n