JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Family Discipleship Plan
Submitted to Dr. Anderson /Professor
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 610 – B02
Family Discipleship
by
Shaneil A. Guidry
October 3, 2021
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Affective Domain-The Fruit of the Spirit........................................................................................4
Cognitive Domain-Bible Study and Prayer ………………………………………………………5
Psychomotor Domain- Serving in the Ministry …………………..………………………………7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..……………….8
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………9
Introduction
When we look at our children we see so much potential, we have so many dreams and
aspirations for them, we want to know that we will and have prepared them for what may come
their way once they are adults. Laying an unwavering foundation plays a major part in building
such an outcome. While we know that despite the wear and tear that a building may undergo, we
can determine the sturdiness of the foundation by the way it remains anchored. Family
discipleship can be seen exactly the same way.
Family discipleship is the foundation that is to be laid by parents within their homes.
Christ has commanded those that have been blessed to shepherd over a child or children to instill
within them the teachings of Christ and to show those teachings in their actions. Deuteronomy
does a great job of specifically laying out how discipleship should look within the home. “These
commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you site at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down
and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, NIV.” The above
passage covers every area that we as parents and children combat with daily, which reminds
parents that disciplining their children is a full time job. “God calls us to instruct our children
about what to believe, how to think from the Scriptures, and how to live.”1
As we continue this journey of developing a Family Discipleship Plan, the targeting of
three major categories will assist in planting and cultivating solid biblical teachings and practical
ways of turning those teachings into daily actions. With that stated, the three major categories
are Affective, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Psychomotor domains. Each of these approaches will
enable us to develop a family discipleship plan that aligns with the Word and the will of God.
1 Tripp. Instructing A Child’s Heart. 13.
Affective Domain- The Fruits of the Spirit, Be Attitudes, Ten Commandments
The affective domain focuses on the emotionality of it all. Meaning how we feel, our
attitudes, and those things we value. When Paul speaks of the fruits of the spirit, we see how
such simplicity and yet effectiveness comes from God. “But the fruit of the spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control, NIV.” The fruits of
the spirit are the roots of the characteristics that we as parents want to ensure are tightly anchored
within the very fabric of our children.
Understanding how to love just as Christ did, learning to find joy in not just the good
times but when things are not going so well, basking in the peace that God gives that surpasses
our understanding, and practicing patience when anxious about everything. Paul doesn’t just
stop there, he reminds us of kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and controlling oneself.
Teaching our children the importance of these fruits are paramount to how they confront life and
how the shaping of their characteristics come into existence. “Early instruction results in patterns
that are resistant to change—whether good or bad!”2 The are characteristic and values that I will
imprint upon my child just as God has call for us to imprint them on our lives.
Then there are the “Beatitudes.” Just as the fruit of the spirit present an outline for
building characteristics that mirror Christ, as does the beatitudes. This list of characteristic that
reminds not only our children of what this required of us to receive the blessing of Christ but it
is a reminder for parents as well. The beatitudes enables parent to push back on what society
tells our children about success, peace, mercy, forgiveness, and so much more. Again, this is
another approach that help to clarify what is true and false, what’s right and wrong, and what
Christ expects from his disciples.
2 Ibid., Chapter 2.
Lastly, there is the “Ten Commandments.” The commandments that God gave to Moses
for the children of Israel, align with many of the laws in our current land (society). Teaching my
child how the Ten Commandments are both personal and public. Meaning, the commandment to
not covet that neighbor is more of a personal commandment. Understanding, that someone else
life style, possessions, or success may not be the same path for you. Understanding that God
made you uniquely you. Thou shalt not murder is more of a public law, as it one state that you
are not God and you cannot take life, as well as doing so is punishable by man. The
commandments present a reality that is a bit more recognizable to youth today.
Cognitive Domain- Bible Study, Prayer, Assembly
Fertile ground can only remain fertile if it is cultivated, irrigated, and most importantly
watered. While the church is a partner in disciple-making, as a parent I would not leave the
studying of the Bible to my local church. Bible study is a practice that needs to be reiterated
within the home and I will do just that. Studying the Bible provides a more intimate setting in
which questions can be answered, more time can be given to breaking down the meaning of
passages, and it will allow me the opportunity to utilize everyday events to show just how
relevant God’s Word is today as it was eons ago. “The Bible is about God working in the lives of
men, women, and children, directing all of history toward a sure conclusion. God is the main
character of Scripture and his sovereign grace is vividly on display, from Genesis to
Revelation.”3 Presenting Scripture in away that is relatable but not losing is seriousness is
important to helping the child to gain more clarity.
As parents, the Bible is our guide to ensure that we are impressing and imprinting God’s
truth into the lives of our little ones. Within our home Bible study, I will be able to present a
3 Thompson. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. Chapter 3.
chronological outline for my child. Meaning, understanding how we were created, how we’ve
disappointed God, what we can do to be pleasing to God, explain salvation, what is sin, etc. Our
journey through the Bible will present questions that I may be unable to address and if not, I can
reach out to my partner (the church) for guidance.
Next there is prayer. Prayer is a key part of my family discipleship plan. Teaching my
children the importance of prayer is so monumental, as it is explaining to them that prayer is a
conversation between them and God. It is their direct line without a middle man. “While prayer
is not communication with the child but with God, it is nevertheless an essential element of
communication between the parent and the child.”4 Explaining to my children that prayer is not
just reserved for when you need God to help with a situation in one’s life but prayer is also a way
to give thanks for all that God has already done not just in their lives but in the lives of those
around them. Prayer is a sign of faith and belief and this is what I want to impress upon my child
though my action of prayer, as well as theirs.
Yes, the parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children; however, it a wonderful
feeling to know that there is a community that supports your disciple making. “In family-based
ministry, “the job of the church is to keep the priority of family at the forefront of our mission, to
give families the understanding and tools they need to raise their children to continue to grow
their legacy of faith.”5 The pastor shares with the youth department what the message is going to
be prior to the Sunday of the sermon, so that the youth pastor can develop his sermon on the
same topic in a manor that is relatable to the youth. Having my son to take part in Sunday
morning sermons that reiterate teaching that we’ve read and discussed at home help to reinforce
his faith.
4 Tripp. Shepherding a child. chapter 9.
5 Jones. Perspectives On Family Ministry. 102.
Psychomotor Domain- Serving in the Ministry, Outreach, In-home Ministry
Taking part in our local church ministry would be a great opportunity to learn to serve
just as Christ call each of us to do. As my child loves music and singing, having him to be apart
of the the youth choir and praise team will enable him to actively show his faith and overall love
for God through song. The youth praise team starts their rehearsal by kneeling on the alter and
communicating with Christ prior to singing. This enables them to ensure that their heart posture
is right before God. Following their prayers, they share how they have shared Christ with
someone, encountered a hurdle they had faced and need prayer, or commence to having a
worship session that allows them to just cry out to God. Him being actively involved in this
ministry will strengthen him in so many areas, especially since it’s with peers.
I fervently believe that outreach ministry enables one to put what they have learned into
action. There is a nearby alternative school for teen that are struggling with behavioral issues,
violent past, and some mental health issues as well. Once a month select youth sing and share
Scripture with the teen in that program. Having my son to join this program will open up his
eyes to the reality that is outside of the world his parents shelters him in. However, most
importantly this will be an opportunity for him to put into action all of his teachings and share his
faith to kids his age.
There is nothing more than seeing the fruits of your labor. What is meant my that
statement is seeing what you as a parent has poured into your child and to see it manifest before
you. With that stated, having my son to lead Bible study twice a month at home. Having him to
develop a lesson plan for what he will be sharing, which will entail his understanding of the
selected Scripture, how does it apply to today, how is the author and the audience, etc. This will
encourage him to research more and possess a greater understanding, as he is not just a receiver
of the information but a giver of information.
Conclusion
While I do not know if my child will stray away from his teachings, I will still rest firmly
on Proverbs 22:6, as it is both a principle and a promise for me. “Train up a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it, NKJV.” Knowing that I was obedient to
God’s command to be the primary disciple-maker of my child and laying a strong foundation of
truth enables me to place my child in the hands of God despite the road he may choose.
Each of the above approaches will be implement with love and sternness. As parents we
are up against so much, whether it be social media, friends, societal injustice, or even broken
homes. However, we cannot lose sight that our God is larger then all of our adversaries and
teaching how children to pray against team make our faith stronger together. We must
understand that our disciple-making does not end with our children, it is just the beginning, as
they then become disciple-makers.
Bibliography
Jones, Timothy. Perspectives On Family Ministry. Nashville, Tenn.: B & H Academic, 2009.
Thompson, Tad. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. Adelphi: Cruciform
Press, 2011.
Tripp, Tedd, and Margy Tripp. Instructing A Child's Heart. Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2008.
Tripp, Tedd. Shepherding A Child's Heart. Wapwallopen, Pa.: Shepherd Press, 2011.
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