Intentional discipleship begins in the home. Family discipleship is when parents help their children become disciples of Jesus Christ through Bible reading, scripture memory, singing, praying, worshiping and doing missions together. What would our homes look like if we took seriously Deuteronomy 6:4-6? This is what the our Lord has commanded. We would start by examining our own hearts. Are we loving God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength? (Deuteronomy. 6:5) Discipleship starts with wholly loving God first! Our children must first see, God helping us, take our everyday ordinary life—sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life as an offering placed before God. (Romans 12:1), The Message) Our children must see that loving God is an ongoing love relationship lived out daily before them.
It starts with our marriages, by loving our spouse with the love of Christ. Discipleship takes place as together, mothers and fathers, teach, love and share their faith with their children. When you sit at home (around the dinner table), when you walk along the road (during drive time), when you lie down (bedtime), and when you get up (getting ready for the day time). (Deuteronomy 6:7) We must seize every opportunity!
The role of discipleship begins by shaping our children’s lives in our homes. God helping us, we will see our homes transformed by the gospel, then our neighborhoods, then our communities. In fact, it could transform our world! Let it begin with me!
Rev. Sherry Judy
