Jesus’s final command to His followers was to make disciples everywhere they went. While we usually think of that in terms of sending missionaries to other nations, we need to remember that many times discipleship training begins under our own roof.

As a dad, you want what’s best for your kids. That’s natural. As a person of faith, you believe that Jesus plays an important role in that process. You want them to become His disciples in a meaningful way. But your kids will learn how to become disciples best when they see your fingerprints all over the discipleship training process.

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Matthew 20:18-20

Learning What Discipleship Means

A lot of times, we think of discipleship in terms of stuff that happens in a class at church. Or we think it’s something we can learn from a book. While those are important tools for discipleship, they can only go so far—especially when it comes to discipling our children. Before you can really start training your kids to become Jesus’s disciples, you have to understand what discipleship is all about. 

In general, disciples are followers. They are students who have committed themselves to a teacher and that teacher’s worldview. In the ancient world, disciples literally followed their master around from place to place. They not only heard his words, but they also did life with him. 

In the context of Christianity, Jesus is our Teacher. We have chosen to become His followers, committing ourselves to live out His teachings each day. We study His words and actions so we can speak and live as He spoke and lived. 

So, for Christians, discipleship training involves learning to be more like Jesus each day. That’s true for our personal growth as Jesus’s disciples, and it’s also true for the way we disciple our kids.

Raising Kids Who Follow Jesus

The best way to reach any goal is to start with the end in mind. Once you’ve identified a target, you’re much more likely to hit the bull’s eye. Since discipleship is primarily about relationships, you can start there. Three primary relationships can serve as a “true north” to make sure your discipleship efforts are moving in the right direction:

• A connection to Christ. A person can’t become a disciple of Christ until they have a personal relationship with Christ. What’s more, that relationship with Christ has to grow through regular Bible study and prayer. That’s how you get to know Jesus better.

• A connection to God’s people. The writer of Hebrews urged his readers to avoid the temptation to skip out on church (Hebrews 10:25). Gathering with God’s people is an important value that your kids should develop as they deepen their discipleship.

• A connection with the world. As mentioned, Jesus called His disciples to make more disciples—to introduce more people to Him. Any discipleship training you initiate with your kids should challenge them to recognize the world’s need for Jesus and to introduce Him to folks who still need to meet Him.

Practical Ways to Disciple Your Kids

Again, don’t get caught up in programs and complicated strategies. Most of your discipleship training can happen in the ebb and flow of doing life with your kids. Here are five simple things you can start doing right now to help your sons and daughters grow as Jesus’s disciples.

1. Be a growing disciple yourself. You can’t lead anyone—including your children—down a path you’ve never walked. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do need to show them how it’s done. Otherwise, your words will ring hollow. Kids pick up on “do as I say, not do as I do” quickly—and they reject it even faster.

2. Discover how your child is wired. Every child is unique, which means your discipleship training will be unique as well. Study your kids. Learn what makes them tick and what teaching approaches work best for them. Then, figure out ways to integrate those learning styles into your discipleship plan.

3. Make it practical. Instruction is a huge part of discipleship. Your kids need to know what they believe and why. But, again, discipleship is largely relational, so you have to move past the head knowledge and identify ways to get your hands dirty. Plus, as you serve together, you grow as a disciple too. It’s a win-win!

4. Learn from others. God has given you the primary responsibility to disciple your children. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Find a mentor who can guide you and advise you. Lean into the wisdom of pastors and friends who can encourage you and hold you accountable. 

5. Stick to it! Proverbs 22:6 reminds us that raising godly adults starts with pointing them in the right direction as children. Sometimes, that’s going to be easier said than done. You will face challenges as you disciple your child. You’ll get discouraged, and you’ll probably want to quit. Just remember that God has equipped you for this task, and no one can do a better job training your child to be Jesus’s disciple than you. Don’t give up!

One Final Ingredient for Discipleship

As you think through discipleship training with your children, you may have noticed one recurring theme: time. Discipling kids require plenty of personal investment. Dads pouring themselves into the lives of their kids across time is a vital ingredient to this recipe.

For me, discipleship training works best one-on-one. Certainly, it can happen in larger settings. After all, Jesus ministered to large crowds and taught His followers in smaller groups. But family dynamics give you the advantage of spending quality time with each child individually.

And that time will make a huge difference as your child learns and grows as Jesus’s disciple.


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