As mentioned last week on this blog, we are delving more deeply into the main points of last week’s article addressing the five most common questions about discipling our children.
Discipling Your Children: The Earlier, The Better
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
The Sacred Call to Discipleship
As Christian parents, we bear a profound responsibility—one that goes beyond simply providing food, shelter, and education. We are called to guide our children toward a meaningful relationship with God. But when exactly should this discipleship journey begin? The answer is beautifully simple: as soon as possible.
Starting From the Beginning
If you’ve been blessed to know Christ from before your children were born, their discipleship journey can begin right from their earliest moments:
Even in infancy: Babies may not understand theological concepts, but they’re absorbing the habits, concepts, and language of faith. Read simple board books with biblical themes. Sing hymns and worship songs as lullabies. Pray over them while they sleep.
The language of faith: Young children are language sponges. When you naturally incorporate words like “God,” “Jesus,” “pray,” and “Bible” into your everyday vocabulary, you’re building the foundation for spiritual understanding.
Scripture tells us: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Notice this isn’t restricted to a certain age—it’s a continuous, immersive approach.
Faith in Action: The Visible Witness
Children learn far more from what we do than what we say. Your visible faith practices speak volumes:
Let them catch you: When children regularly observe you in prayer, reading Scripture, or worshiping authentically, they’re receiving powerful unspoken lessons about the priority and practice of faith.
Church community: Regular church attendance isn’t just a habit or something “we’re supposed to do” — it’s about immersing children in a community where faith is celebrated, questioned, practiced, and shared.
- Family devotions: Even before they can fully participate, including children in regular family Bible reading and prayer establishes these practices as normal and essential parts of daily life.
As the apostle Paul reminds us: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Our children are watching how we live out our faith—in both trials and triumphs.
Finding Faith Later: It’s Never Too Late
Perhaps you came to faith after your children were born, or even when they were older. Take heart—God’s timing is perfect:
Share your testimony: Your personal story of transformation is powerful. Children need to hear how God has changed your life. “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4).
Introduce new practices: Begin incorporating prayer at mealtimes, bedtime devotions, or Sunday worship. Explain why these practices matter to you now.
Be authentic: Acknowledge that this is new for everyone. Allow questions and express your own learning journey. This models that growth in faith is lifelong.
Scripture encourages us: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
When Older Children Resist Faith
The path of discipleship isn’t always straight—especially with teenagers or adult children who may question or reject faith:
Prayer becomes your primary tool: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Commit to daily, specific prayer for your children’s spiritual journey.
Respect their journey: Forcing faith often backfires. Instead, maintain open dialogue without judgment. The father of the prodigal son allowed his child to walk away while keeping the door open for return (Luke 15:11-32). Remember, we each need to come to faith on our own. Our children must make their own commitment to follow Christ.
Live your faith joyfully: Sometimes the most powerful witness is a life transformed by Christ. Let them see the authentic difference faith makes in how you navigate challenges, treat others, and find purpose. Believe me, they are watching. They see the changes in your life.
Look to Scripture: Jesus himself told the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23), reminding us that seeds of faith land on different soils and grow at different rates.
Discipleship in Daily Life
Discipleship isn’t limited to formal religious activities. It happens in the everyday moments of family life:
Teachable moments: Use regular life experiences to connect to spiritual truth. A beautiful sunset becomes a lesson in God’s creativity. A family conflict becomes practice in forgiveness and grace. Be careful not to sermonize, but share naturally in unforced, authentic, transparent ways. Let love for your child and for God lead you rather than fear that they will never choose Christ or anger over bad choices they made.
Service together: Involve children in age-appropriate service projects. When they see faith in action through serving others, they understand Christianity beyond just concepts.
Critical thinking: As children mature, encourage them to ask questions and think deeply about faith. Wrestling with doubts in a safe environment builds stronger believers than simply accepting answers without question. Remind your children often that they can always ask you anything – and mean it. Leave the door open for their questions and doubts to be expressed, and help them think through what is true and what is deceit.
Paul instructed: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Notice the balance—discipleship that’s firm but not frustrating.
Making Discipleship Tangible
Children need concrete experiences to grasp abstract spiritual concepts:
Visual reminders: Consider placing Scripture verses around your home, crosses, or other meaningful symbols that spark conversation.
Family traditions: Create special faith-based traditions around holidays, Sundays, or family milestones that connect to deeper spiritual meanings.
Prayer walls or journals: Make prayer visible by creating a family prayer list where everyone can see answers and additions over time.
Scripture memorization: Set aside time for memorizing key verses together, perhaps with motions for younger children or challenges for older ones. We offer weekly scripture memory challenges on Facebook and Instagram as well as within our private Facebook group. You can join and memorize these suggested verses each week and join our summer Bible memory challenge.
Jesus taught: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Children have a natural openness to faith that shouldn’t be underestimated or discouraged.
The Ripple Effect of Early Discipleship
When we disciple our children from their earliest days, we’re not just influencing one generation but potentially many to come:
Legacy of faith: “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18).
Spiritual foundation: Children grounded in faith from an early age have resources to draw upon during inevitable challenges and questions later in life.
Future disciples: Children who have been discipled naturally learn how to disciple others—their own children, friends, and community.
Conclusion: Begin Today
Whether your children are newborns or nearly grown, the best time to begin or deepen their discipleship is today. Start where you are, with the resources you have, trusting that God multiplies your faithful efforts. You don’t need a theological degree – you only need a testimony. We are commanded to teach our children what we have learned. We cannot give our children what we do not have. Just give them what Jesus has given you – a genuine faith, peace, and his unconditional love. Let your children learn that from you and begin to learn who God really is.
Remember that discipleship isn’t about creating perfect little Christians—it’s about walking alongside your children as you all grow closer to Christ. Your own authentic journey, with its questions, struggles, and victories, becomes the most powerful lesson of all.
As you embark on or continue this sacred journey of discipling your children, take comfort in this truth: God desires your children’s hearts even more than you do. Partner with Him, start where you are, and watch in wonder as faith takes root and grows across generations.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” — 3 John 1:4