Family Discipleship: Do you have a plan?

Family Discipleship – Do you have a plan? This post is a collection of thoughts that have been rattling around in my head. Disclaimer: This is in no way a final product! This is merely me typing out loud about the things to come. The next post will be a simplified version of this post and an outline for future writings on the subject. Like me, there are many Pastors, Youth Pastors and ministers starting the conversation of family ministry. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a new topic; however it is a growing subject in the church today! Family ministry is, I believe, the next step for those who train future pastors and ministers. Please leave comments and thoughts. Again, the following are thoughts that have been jumbled around in my head and in no way a final product. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, there must be a plan for your family’s spiritual growth. Without a plan, you are planning to fail. Secondly, there are “must-have” elements that should be integrated into your plan. Lastly, there are some obstacles to address with family discipleship. Discipleship Plan: Everyone needs a plan, however, we must be careful to understand God’s plan ...

Parenting 101 – Discipleship part 2

We all know that parenting is a huge responsibility and at times overwhelming. This is the second post in the series, "parenting 101 - Discipleship". If you haven't read the first post, you may want to catch up before reading this one. here's the link: Parenting 101 - Discipleship For this post, I will post some simple ideas for parents seeking creative ways to disciple their children. My wife and I have tried and are trying some of these simple practices in teaching our daughter Emma (4 yrs old). The only  failure in discipling your children is failure to try. Before I post some ideas, there are some ideas to bring to the table of discipleship. 1. You will never teach your children to become disciples of Christ unless you are a disciple. - Leaders point others to the source of their conviction. Parents, whether you like it or not you are a leader to your children. What are you leading them to? Are you living out a devotion to Christ or a devotion to retirement? 2. Scripture is Key. -  2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, ...

Parenting 101 – Discipleship

I have heard it said by a parent, If my kids wait on me to disciple them, they are in trouble!, and I became very concerned. What's more is that this parent was a minister of the Gospel. However, I am not pointing this one individual parent out for what was said. No, the fact of the matter is that many parents have said or lived out a lot worse! In this post I will pose the questions, Who is to disciple my children and How should I disciple my Children? For this post we will look at the question of Who is to disciple my children? For some reading this post you are already on edge because of the statement made by a minister or pastor of the Gospel. And some of you might have said the same thing simply because your schedule demands it and others "more qualified" than yourself should do the discipling. Let's forget for the moment about the minister who made the statement and focus on the fact, that ALL parents need help in discipling their children. What type of help are we talking about? For this post assume there are two kinds of help, substitutional and ...