In Deuteronomy 6:1-9, God lays out his design for training up a child in the fear of the Lord. Drew Zeiler walks through what parents’ roles are in the discipleship of their kids, how they are to model faith in Christ, and what the greater church body’s role is in partnering with parents to raise up the next generation of disciples.

Drew’s Main Points

1. Parents are to be the primary disciplers of their children.

2. Parents are to model a faith that is authentic, attractive, and active.

3. The call is for us as the church to partner with parents to disciple children.

Key Takeaways

• Children are a blessing from God. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, children hold tremendous potential for good or harm based upon the archer’s guidance and direction.
  
  
• Parents must be responsible to guide their children to: 1) know God, 2) navigate this life, 3) walk with Jesus.
  
  
• The world will disciple our children, if we don’t.
  
  
• According to Drew, to fear the Lord is to honor, love, cherish, and prioritize God above all else and invite Him to be in authority over all areas of life.
  
  
• You can only pass on what you possess. Parents will pass on what they love. You are the primary influencers on your children’s view of God.
  
  
• Our faithfulness as parents does not guarantee our children’s faithfulness. Therefore, we are to be faithful each day and trust God with the rest.
  
  
• To live out an authentic faith is to be sincere in your faith and devotion each day– to model confession, asking for forgiveness, repentance, and a need for God’s grace.
  
  
• As Christ has intentionally and graciously pursued us, we are to pursue our children at every age and stage, even when it’s difficult.
  
  
• To model our faith well we must remain committed to making disciples, sharing the Gospel, and praying for the lost.
  
  
• Faithful parents are to be both proactive and reactive. We must be present to win, listen well, and remain engaged.
  
  
• Parents are to lay the foundation for their children. We, as the church, are to reinforce the truth and love of Jesus Christ.
  
  
• As asserted by Drew, “Prayer is the very essence of an abiding relationship with Christ and essential for parenting.”
  
  
  

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

• What do you love the most? Ask your kids or whoever is around you the most!
  
  
• Parents: What threatens to interfere with your presence as a parent? What is negatively influencing your priorities and purpose as disciple maker in your home?
  
  

Discuss with your community group:

• In what ways are you dedicated to investing in the spiritual well-being of the next generation? How can the truth and love of Christ further refine your perspective and priorities?
  
  
• In what ways can your faith mature when it comes to a faith that is authentic, attractive, and active?
  
  

Passages Referenced

Psalm 127:4-5; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Matthew 12:50; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 22:6; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 13:7; Titus 2:3-4; John 6:44.