Discussion Thread: Four Approaches to Discipleship
Present a case for which of these models best fits biblical methods for family discipleship
After reading the required textbook for the discussion and being presented with the “Four
Approaches of Discipleship,” I believe that the model that better fits biblical methods for family
discipleship is the “Family-Equipping Model.” The case is super clear when we ask ourselves,
who is responsible for my children's biblical education and faith? The Lord has placed on the
parents the primary responsibility for their children’s spiritual nurturing (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 22:6;
Eph. 6:4, New King James Version). The Israelites knew this and exampled it. In the days of
Jesus, it was the family who would educate and guide their children in the faith. Factually
speaking, the entire family/village would become the teachers of all the children, not only
helping with the children’s religious education but with all guidance in behavior as well. This is
one of the reasons Joseph and Mary did not realize Jesus was missing until a day’s journey after
they had left Jerusalem (Lk. 2:41-52). This approach brings to mind the well-known African
proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In this case, the village can be replaced by “the
church.” Timothy Paul Jones states, “The church equips parents to disciple their children, and the
parents recognize the church as an active partner in this process.”1 In other words, the family-
equipping model ensures that the parents are at the helm of disciplining their children while the
church -the village- is with them along the way.
In your persuasive response, clarify how the strategies for discipleship addressed by Dr. Burrell
fit within these models.
In this week’s course video presentation, Why Family Discipleship is Important, Dr.
Burrell indicates that the evidence shows our children are not following our spiritual paths. He
explains that the world's influences are moving children farther away from godly principles. Dr.
Burrell states, “the influences of popular culture and the reality that postmodernism in the world
today is the dominant philosophy make it more challenging than ever to rear our children with a
sound grasp of biblical truth.”2 He also encourages parents to emphasize family discipleship
because there are unique challenges for those in ministry regarding educating children on being
faithful followers of Christ.
He uses the example of Eli’s sons, who, despite growing up in the temple under their
father’s teachings and example, walked away from it and profaned it. In the same way, no
children are guaranteed to grow in knowledge, faith, and trust in Christ, regardless of their
parents’ influence. However, Dr. Burrell emphasizes that “our responsibility, as parents before
the Lord, is to take the time to disciple them.”3 It is crucial to remember that they will look up to
us, and our roles will model their efforts of family discipleship.
1 Timothy Paul Jones, et al., Perspectives on Family Ministry: Three Views (Nashville, TN: B&H
Academic, 2009), 44.
2 Dan Burrell, “Why Family Discipleship is Important” (DSMN 610 Course Video Presentation) Liberty
University Online, Lynchburg, VA, September 17, 2013, 3:36,
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2167581/uiconf_id/39959791/entry_id/1_zwv
m0up2/embed/dynamic
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model and each discipleship strategy presented in
the course presentation.
Dr. Burrell is evident in his presentation. Throughout the entire production, he establishes
the main point that “the church can never and should never be asked to replace the role of parents
as the primary disciple-makers in the home.”4 He adds that God had established this very clearly
in Deuteronomy chapter six and verse six when He said that parents are the ones who would
teach and train their children in their homes on what they need to know about God and his word.
One last point, as we look at evidentiality for strengths and weaknesses in these models, we must
first define what “Family Ministry” is. Jones's book defines family ministry as “the process of
intentionally and persistently realigning a congregation’s proclamation and practices so that
parents are acknowledged, trained, and held accountable as the persons primarily responsible for
the discipleship of their children.”5
3 Ibid., 8:01.
4 Ibid., 9:06.
5 Jones, et al., Perspectives, 40.
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