It hasn’t been that long ago when I thought I was not qualified to disciple my children. After all, I had not grown up in a home that discipled. I did not really understand what that meant until a few years ago. Even as I began to understand what a disciple does, I did not think that was the role of a parent.
I believed that because I did not go to seminary or grow up in a home that discipled, I was unable to disciple my children and I was definitely not qualified. I also believed I was the only one who believed that. Until recently.
Recently, these words came across my screen: “I will leave the discipling to those more qualified.”
I was shocked that the author of the words wrote this. I had always thought of this person as spiritually mature, and an amazing parent who knew just what it meant to disciple their children and others. I still believe those things because I have witnessed the fruit of their parenting. But, what really shocked me was that another parent – did not believe they were qualified to disciple others. That reality made me consider – that there are more parents out there who have been sold that lie.
Now, I’ll be honest and say I didn’t reply to the words. Like I said, I was in shock and I have prayed and prayed over them. Why? Well, because I have grown into a true knowledge that every Christian’s responsibility is to fulfill the great commission –
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)
Those words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection. They are powerful. They speak of power from Christ to his disciples – to his followers. We all have His power to disciple – everyone! Not just going out and sharing the good news, but making disciples of everyone we share the news with.
As parents, we should be sharing this with our children every moment of every day.
” Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 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 6:4-7 NIV)
So, yes Mom and Dad- you are qualified to teach your children and disciple them! All that you need can be found in the power of Christ. This is not something he says we should do if we want, but something we are to do -and CAN do!
Isn’t that exciting. The thought of having Jesus’ power – gives me joy every day. Yes, even in those hard moments when He is growing me, the ones where I may have to put the books away in order to gently guide a heart issue that someone is experiencing. Truly getting to the heart and growing my children (and myself) through His power and grace.
It’s beautiful!
So, the next time someone asks if you are qualified to teach or disciple your children – your answer should be “Yes, with the power of Christ, I have exactly what I need to do that!”
Did you know you are qualified to disciple your children?
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Just beautiful, Rebecca! You are so right this is our BIGGEST commission. If our children have great jobs, lots of money, fancy homes, what’s it all for when in the end they aren’t living for Christ? It’s empty. Thank you for encouraging us to keep on the fight for our childrens’ spiritual lives with Christ!
Michelle, very true. And empty doesn’t just express their eternal lives. Their hearts may fill full as they fill their lives with more idols and leave less room for God. But, what about that day they stand in front of Him – even if they have gone on mission trips and tithed, even adopted? If these are acts of iniquity – He will say He knew them not. That to me – is sobering. Love you sweet friend. Thank you for being here today.
Oh, wow. I’m always a little shocked by parents who believe that teachers in government schools are qualified *at all* to teach their children how the world works, given the legal requirement that they eliminate from the curriculum the whole purpose of education. And since you really can’t separate the secular and the sacred in a Christian’s life (it is all sacred), it’s a double shock when Christians believe that the two can be separated. Now here we have someone who thinks that to teach children the sacred, as well as the secular, is someone else’s job? Exactly what would be the purpose of a parent, then? This reduces parenting to being little more than a nagging vending machine in your children’s lives! If you’ve got the Bible and you’ve got the Holy Spirit, you are not only qualified to disciple your own children, you are required to. Nobody else can be there all the time. Nobody else is going to know those souls the way you do. Frankly, nobody else cares even a tiny fraction of the amount that you do. Even your pastor. Even if he is the greatest pastor EVAR. Discipleship isn’t done in half-hour classes. It’s done “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”.
If you don’t do it, nobody will.
Fortunately, it sounds from your description like this mom is actually discipling her children. She just got a hold of a bad definition of “discipleship”. 😉
Cindy, yes – this homeschool Mom is discipling – but, she’s bought the worldview that parents can’t do it. I wonder – how many think they can’t so they don’t. I wonder how many never even considered that they should. Me, it wasn’t ‘my role’ until a few years ago when God really brought me to a point where I had to see that HIS plan is for me and my husband to be the first to disciple our children. Oh, there are several ‘posts’ within this post. But, I think this is a good starting point.
I look at it a little different–I don’t see myself as qualified, but called. Just as Moses, who emerged as a mighty leader for God, began with lackadaisical leadership skills. I am the last person to be picked as a poster child for patience but I teach my children because I am called to according to Deut. 6. It is not my ability, but His. Not my strength, but His. Not my wisdom, but His. His grace is sufficient for me. I am not qualified because He is everything I need to fulfill the role He has called me to.
Thanks for the reminder. Yesterday at church we started a series on the family. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s discipleship. With God’s strength & guidance, all parents can disciple their own children.
Yes, we are ultimately responsible for our children. When you think about it that way, it really lets you know how important parents are to their children.