Four Easy Ways to Disciple Your Kids

Kids who grow up in Christian homes are blessed because they have parents who love Jesus and can show them what it means to love and follow Jesus. In fact, the Bible says that parents are supposed to be the primary teachers and disciplers of their children. If we're honest though, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. Below are four easy ways to start intentionally teaching your kids about following Christ. 

1. Pray with them every day.

Your kids will learn to pray by hearing you do it. Praying for meals is important, but taking intentional, concentrated time to pray together each day will make a big impact in their discipleship. Not only will you be a model for how they speak to the Lord, but they will also hear your heart for God and your love and care for them. It truly is a joy to get to talk to our Savior with the ones we love.

2. Read a good book with them and talk about it.

Reading good books with your kids not only disciples them, but it will also speak to your heart. Get a copy for you and your child, go slow, and once a week spend some intentional time together talking about what your learning. Not all books are created equal. Don’t know where to start? If you need some good suggestions, talk with one of your pastors!

3. Have dinner together most nights.

Fellowship around the table gives opportunity for great conversation. As you eat you can hear about life, school, friends, worries, struggles, cares, and concerns. This allows you to hear your child’s heart and speak to them about how God fits into all of these things in their lives. Jesus did a lot of discipling over meals. We should too!

4. Make church a priority.

Where we spend our time is a living picture of what we value. Your kids not only pay attention to what you say, they also notice what you do. When you make church a priority it speaks to them that God is important. Not only do they have opportunities to learn about God, but they know that their parents value following His command to worship.

These four things can help you start using your time intentionally with your children. God has given us to our children to help shape their hearts and point them to Christ. Sometimes, we just need some help knowing where to start. Have any other great ideas? Be sure to share them in the comments below.

“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.” - Deuteronomy 11:19-21