LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Family Discipleship: Objectives and Outcomes
Submitted to Dr. Dan Burrell,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 610– B01
Family Discipleship
by
April D. Brown
June 19, 2021
Content
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…1
Objective and Outcome One………………………………………………….…...2
Objective and Outcome Two………………………………………………………2-3
Objective and Outcome Three………………………………………………….…3-4
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………4
Bibliography……………………………………………………………….………5
iv
Introduction
As parents we must make it our priority to teach our children the ways of the Lord, so
they do not otherwise come to be equipped with the ways of the world. God appointed us as the
primary disciple makers of our children (Deut. 6:6-7), therefore we can not leave it up to the
church or the world for that matter to teach our children “the way they should go”1 (Prov. 22:6).
However, it is important for the church and family to work together in raising up the next
generation of disciple makers. According to Tad Thompson, “God intends for a beautiful
partnership to exist between the home and the local church. As a matter of fact, God intends for
the Christian home to be the body of Christ microcosm.”2
It is important for parents to know that the discipleship of their children begins in the
home, with them as the primary disciple makers. Parents must demonstrate a heart for Christ by
modeling to their children how to live for Him. “15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve
the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the
region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and
my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). By establishing a clear discipleship plan for
their home, parents will be able to equip, empower and encourage their children to go out and
make disciples of others. Moreover, they will be equipped to make disciples of their children one
day and their children’s children, ultimately equipping many generations to come.
Objective and Outcome One
1 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture reference derives from the English Standard Version Study Bible (Crossway,
2008).
2 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design, (Adelphi: Cruciform Press, 2011), 6.
1
The first objective for my family is family Bible study. As a result of being the main
disciple maker in my home, my child will be able to understand the Lord’s word and apply it to
his everyday life by identifying scripture that is relevant to his situation or circumstance.
Through family Bible study my child will learn key Biblical passages that will help him to grow
in the Lord and gain the understanding necessary to live a Christ filled life.
Family Bible study is something that I desire for my family. We will begin in the Gospels
to help my son gain the understanding of what Jesus did for each and every one of us. Through
this understanding, he will be able to gain insight of how to live for and like Christ. He will
develop an understanding of the importance of servanthood and how Jesus transforms our hearts
so that we may demonstrate the fruit of the spirit in our lives as the light of Jesus shines through
us onto others.
Tedd and Margy Tripp explain, “We must show our children the vital connections
between redemption in the Scriptures and their daily experience. The instruction we give only
makes sense in the context of the story of the Scriptures that tell them who they are and about the
God who made them and offers them redemption.”3
Objective and Outcome Two
The second objective is family prayer time. Reading the Lord’s word is what fills our
spirit, but prayer is what links us directly to God. Prayer is part of our personal relationship with
the Lord, it is how we praise Him, thank Him, and talk to Him, but it is also where we give our
doubts, fears and worries to Him. Prayer is vital in the life of any Christian so as parents we must
not only demonstrate this to our children but we must include them so they will know where to
3 Ted Tripp and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child’s Heart (Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2008), 26.
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bring their sorrows and where to give praise, and where they may also develop a personal
relationship with the Lord.
Our family prayer time will be each morning before we start our day, and in the evening
after dinner. Additionally, we will establish as a family when we will spend personal time with
the Lord throughout the day. My son has chapel at 10a.m. each day during school, so I will also
devote this hour to the Lord. By devoting family and personal prayer time with the Lord my
Child will strengthen in his faith and relationship with God.
Tad Thompson explains, “it is far more instructive and effective to take time to say a
thoughtful and genuine prayer. In even a brief prayer we can offer thanksgiving, glorify God by
drawing attention to His attributes, petition Him for grace, and more.”4
Objective and Outcome Three
The third objective is to put His love into action. Jesus was a servant leader, “For even
Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for the many”
(Matt. 10:45), which means we are to be servant leaders as well, “Not domineering over those in
your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pt. 5:3). Tedd Tripp explains, “God requires an
attitude of heart that gives freely with no thought of return.”5
Serving others as a family is something we already do with our outreach department.
However, it is important to be more intentional about reaching the lost. We will begin being more
intentional about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ with others we encounter. There are
4 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design, (Adelphi: Cruciform Press, 2011), 63.
5 Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Revised and Updated 2nd Edition, (Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2018),
164.
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opportunities in many of the activities we do as a family to speak with other families about the
love and mercy we have received from Jesus and how he completely transformed my life.
By sharing the Gospel with others, my child will be doing as our Savior commanded us
to do, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). By advancing the Kingdom of God through
discipleship we, as a family, will grow closer with the Lord.
Tedd and Margy Tripp explain, “Instructing a child’s heart is essential to shepherding a
child’s heart. The instruction you provide not only informs the mind; it is directed to persuading
the heart of wisdom and truthfulness of God’s ways. We should impress truth on the hearts of our
children, not control or manage them, but point them to the greatest joy and happiness that they
can experience-delighting in God and the goodness of His ways.”6
Conclusion
As parents it is our God-given duty to be the primary disciple makers of our children. Our
children are our gifts from God which we have been entrusted with to guide them, nurture them,
and encourage them. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a
reward” (Ps. 127:3). We must be intentional about teaching our children the Lord’s word and
teaching them how to apply it to their lives. Also, we must demonstrate our faith and relationship
with the Lord to our children so they may grow to have a personal and familial prayer life with
the Him. Lastly, it is important to put His love into action through servanthood. Jesus came to
serve others and if we intend to live for and like Jesus so should we, “For who is greater, one
who reclines at the table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am
among you as the one who serves” (Lk. 22:27).
6 Ted Tripp and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child’s Heart (Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2008), 26.
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Bibliography
Thompson, Tad. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. Adelphi: Cruciform
press, 2011.
Tripp, Ted and Margy Tripp. Instructing a Child’s Heart. Wapwallopen: Shepherd press, 2008.
Tripp, Ted. Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Revised and Updated 2nd Edition Wapwallopen:
Shepherd Press, 2018.
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