Discipleship is Intentional
All people are disciples. Disciples are simply followers of someone leading. The real question is: Who is doing the discipling in your child’s life? According to Deuteronomy 6 (along with many other portions of Scripture) you have been called to do the discipling. This chapter is such an important part of the Bible for us as parents.
Modeling Jesus at Home
When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see that God’s model of training is discipleship. Jesus didn’t hand a book to 12 men and walk away. He lived with them, ate with them, taught them, and experienced life with them. He was there for the highs and the lows and continued to point everything back to the Kingdom of God.
In Matthew 16:5–12, the disciples realized they had forgotten bread to eat. In this very down-to-earth moment, Jesus decided it was time to teach an important spiritual lesson to them that had nothing to do with filling their physical stomachs. Discipling was at the top of Jesus’ agenda.
Childhood is Perfect for Discipleship
Upon review of the American Worldview Inventory 2020, Dr. George Barna advised the parents of the youngest generation (those born after 2002) to evaluate and take any necessary steps to shape the worldview of their chilren. He also says that his decades of worldview research indicate that worldview is established between ages of 15 months and 13 years.
We have a short window of opportunity to pour into our children the foundational truths of our faith. As children mature into adults and their brains develop, learning new things becomes more difficult. This is a challenge that Jesus understood when He said for an adult to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he has to become like a child (Matthew 18:3). Children have great faith! This is the time when they are impressionable; this is when we must make “the most of [our] time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
Discipleship Tools for Your Young Family
Once you understand your calling, it’s time to get intentional. Where Faith Grows, a homeschool Bible curriculum series for elementary students, becomes a tool in your hand as you lead your child into all God has for them. You don’t need another activity book; you need the tools to be successful in implementing a pattern of discipleship. This discipleship curriculum series will grow to meet the needs of students in first through six grade levels of education. Currently Level 1 and Level 2 are available. Both are designed to set a strong foundation in understanding who God is and how He works in our lives.
Utilizing the Master Books method of interactive instruction and hands-on activities, Where Faith Grows Level 1 helps you begin revealing who God is to your first grade level child. They will understand that knowing Him and knowing how to live must come from reading Scripture. (Look inside Level 1 here.)
Where Faith Grows Level 2 works to continue building on what was covered in Level 1. Within Level 2, you will also see an introduction to basic Bible skills and keeping a prayer journal. (Look Inside Level 2 here.)
As you allow discipleship to become a part of your everyday life, remember these words of God in Isaiah 54:13–17:
“All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great. In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Whoever attacks you will fall because of you. Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals And produces a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to inflict ruin. No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.”
A large portion of this post is an excerpt of Where Faith Grows Level 2 (pages 4-5) written by the author, Jessica McCullar. Learn more about this homeschool Bible curriculum series in this interview with Jessica on the Master Books Podcast.
