And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

what is it?

Family discipleship, in the most general sense, is the practice of parents raising their children to respect and follow certain values and beliefs that they hope will remain central to them for a lifetime. But for Christians these values and beliefs are specifically biblical values and beliefs. Therefore, when we use the phrase “family discipleship” at EBC, we are supporting and urging that distinctly Christian duty of parents to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). By family discipleship, we mean the raising of one’s children, by God’s grace, to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

how is it done?

Family discipleship is done structurally and fluidly. It’s practice is both formal and informal. It’s structured and formal in the sense that it requires “diligent teaching” (Deut. 6:7, see above). It requires mom and dad, and especially dad, to teach their sons and daughters the faith. It necessitates mom and dad to have a knowledge of the word of God so that they can communicate it to their children. A home that practices family discipleship is a home in which the children are aware they are God’s and are living in his world. Not only that, but they know the God who has created them and they know what he requires (i.e. God’s law) and what he promises (i.e. God’s gospel).

Yet, children are not discipled only by mom and dad formally teaching doctrine to them. They are also taught by mom’s and dad’s way of life. In this respect, family discipleship is also a fluid and informal practice. It’s done when you sit down for dinner and give thanks to God; it’s done when you’re on your way to Shop Rite and talk about God’s kind provision; it’s done when your enjoying a walk with your daughter and you reflect on God’s creation; it’s done by demonstrating God’s love and forgiveness when you show grace in your discipline. In short, it’s done throughout ordinary life (Deut. 6:7, see above). Christian parents are Christians not only while teaching truth, but while enjoying life as well.

what does this have to do with church?

The insistence of family discipleship has implications for how we view our church’s responsibility towards children. The popular belief of the day is that the spiritual care of children primarily falls upon the shoulders of the church and its leaders. Church is the place you drop your kids off if you want them to know about spiritual things. In some respect this is true. Pastors and ministers within our church are called to shepherd and disciple the children. However, it is also true that it is their responsibility only secondarily so. The church is supposed to be a help to the parents, not the “professional” to whom you take your kids. It would be better to understand the church’s calling as a partnership with parents rather than a supplanting of them. It is called to extend and come alongside the ministry of the home, but never to be its substitute. This means, then, that our ministries (specifically) to children are geared to be arms of co-discipleship, not exclusive discipleship. They are to be a supplement to the family discipleship going on at home, not its replacement.

how do i get started?

There are several ways parents can be involved in discipling their children. The elders at EBC are delighted to begin this conversation with you if you’d like and can provide classes to instruct and guide parents. We are also happy at EBC to provide resources, such as the ones below, to aide in family discipleship. These resources will provide you with practical assistance in leading your family in daily worship, parenting from a biblical worldview, and teaching sound doctrine to your children through the trusted, historic catechisms of the faith.

We pray that the Lord will use these resources and his other means of grace to encourage you as you seek to cultivate a home in which Christ is worshipfully exalted, his word is deeply treasured, and his church is dearly loved.