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Discipleship through parenting is a divine calling. As parents, we have been called to disciple the church of tomorrow; in fact, God calls us into parenting for this very purpose. Children are a precious gift entrusted to us by God. Genesis 33:5 tells us that children are a gift, and Joshua 24:4 confirms that God is the one who gives us children. This truth is echoed in Psalm 113:9, Deuteronomy 7:13.
When we reflect on Psalm 127:3 AMPC, which reads, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward", this concept becomes even clearer. Psalm 127:3a uses the keyword "heritage," which in Hebrew is "Nachalah," meaning passed down from one generation to another. Psalm 127:3b uses the keyword "reward." The Hebrew word is "Sagar," meaning "Sakar" - reward. Children are the fruits produced by the womb, similar to how a tree yields fruit. They are seeds that embody a person's genealogy and transmit it from one generation to the next. They are the "seeds" that ensure the continuity of a lineage. Furthermore, they are the life-bearing force that brings to manifestation the declared blessings of God over the human race to be "fruitful and multiply."
Becoming Part of God's Family
With the coming of Christ, a new spiritual lineage was established. Before Christ, the Adamic genealogy dominated the earth. However, when Christ came, a new genealogy was made manifest in and through Him (John 1:12-13). Now, when we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into the family and lineage of God. This profound truth transforms our entire understanding of parenting. We are no longer simply raising children; we are nurturing seeds of faith, cultivating hearts that reflect God's character. In Malachi 2:15, we see God's desire and expectation for parents: that we raise godly children for Him, children whose character reflects His nature.
Before Christ's coming, this divine character and nature may have seemed unattainable. But when Christ came and died, He released God's nature, making it accessible to all people. This new life in Christ became a reality for us and our children. We received a new divine heritage, a life that we are commanded to pass on to the next generation.
Learning from Jesus, the Master Parent
Jesus Himself provides the ultimate example of how to raise children in faith. Through His life and interactions with His disciples, He models how to parent in a way that cultivates spiritual growth and maturity. In John 15-17, He gives a summary of this parenting model, offering a clear prototype for us to follow.
Jesus' life with His disciples provides a blueprint for us as parents. By following His example, we can ensure that the genealogy of God is sustained through our lineage as His children. Essentially, parenting is a process of discipleship, a journey of guiding our children to embrace the life of Christ.
Understanding Discipleship
But what exactly is discipleship? Discipleship involves helping someone understand who Christ is and what He has done for them. It requires guiding them to come into the knowledge of Christ and leading them through the process of understanding their own identity in Him. Ultimately, it means guiding them to the point where they willingly surrender to His Lordship and dedicate themselves to leading others through the same transformative process.
Embedded within this definition of discipleship are several key elements:
Purpose and Identity: Understanding the identity of Jesus and His mission.
Self-Discovery: Helping children discover their identity and purpose in Christ.
Leadership: Leading by example and guiding our children toward Christ.
Mentorship: Providing spiritual guidance and support.
Maturity: Nurturing spiritual growth and ownership of faith in our children.
The Lifelong Journey of Discipleship
Christian parenting, in its truest form, is a lifelong journey of discipleship. It's about guiding our children towards a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This journey includes several key components:
Introducing Christ: As parents, we have the privilege of introducing our children to Jesus from a young age. We can do this by sharing Bible stories, praying together, and modeling Christian values in a way that leaves a lasting impression.
Daily Life Applications: We can use everyday moments to help our children understand and live out their faith. Every experience offers a potential lesson. By consistently connecting everyday events to biblical principles, we can reinforce concepts like love, grace, forgiveness, discipline, and self-control as our children grow and mature in their walk with God.
Self-Discovery and Acceptance: We need to encourage our children to explore their identity within the context of God's creation. Help them understand who they are based on God's Word and guide them to build a sense of self that is rooted in truth.
Submitting to His Lordship: Simply being born into a Christian home doesn't guarantee salvation. Our children need our guidance and support to make the most important decision of their lives: accepting God's salvation in Christ. As parents, we must create an environment where our children feel safe to explore their faith and ultimately make a conscious decision to follow Jesus. We need to support them as they learn to surrender their lives to His Lordship, even when they ask challenging questions or wrestle with doubt.
Get Them Involved: As our children grow in their knowledge of God and mature in their faith, it's crucial to involve them in the life of the church. Help them discover their gifts and talents and encourage them to use those gifts in service to others. By actively participating in the church community, our children will be equipped for their future roles as disciples and leaders.
Reflections for the Parent-Disciple
As parent-disciples, we are called to be both followers of Christ and guides for our children's spiritual journeys. This is a high calling, and it requires intentionality and a deep commitment to our growth in faith. Take some time to reflect on these questions:
What are three specific ways you are helping your child grow in their understanding of their identity in Christ this year?
How can you connect your knowledge of God's Word to your child's daily experiences? How can you help them see the relevance of the Bible in their everyday lives?
What new approaches will you take to support your child's spiritual growth this year?
What skills can you encourage your child to develop or improve that will equip them for service in your local church?
As a disciple yourself, what are three key things you will do this year to grow in your knowledge of God's word? 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMPC)
It's the start of a new year, a new page opened up for immense possibilities in our journey as Christian parents. Just as God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, He calls us as parent-disciples to raise our children with faith and boldness. Remember His promise in Joshua 1:9:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
As you step into this new year, go in this courage, go BOLD and be victorious in your parenting this year! May God grant you wisdom, strength, and courage as you disciple your children this year. Amen.