LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL of DIVINITY
Family Discipleship Outcome
Submitted to Dr. Dan Burrell
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN-610-B01
Family Discipleship
By
Margaret Humphrey
September 25, 2022
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................3
Knowing..........................................................................................................................................3
Doing...............................................................................................................................................4
Being................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................8
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Introduction
Having an intentional plan to develop family discipleship begins with a plan that is rooted
in God’s word and is mapped out effectively and prayerfully. “In order to follow God’s
commands for family discipleship as relayed through Moses, we must have a strategy.”1 God
intends for all parents to raise their kids to be like Christ, “Fathers, do not provoke your children
to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4, NASB) This
paper will identify principles as well as desired outcomes in an attempt to support parents
implementing biblical strategies to encourage family discipleship at home.
Knowing
The first outcome I would like to identify is “My child will be able to identify spiritual
truths.” “Jesus used parables as powerful tools to convey spiritual truth.”2 We all realize that
children love stories, spending quality time teaching like Jesus taught allows parents the
opportunity to model Christ like behavior is such a way that our children can see that what we
see, we do. Being able to appropriately identify spiritual truths supports Christ followers as they
navigate life. Applying spiritual truths to one’s life aligns our mind intimately with the mind of
Christ. The more spiritual truths you utilize in life’s experiences, the closer you are to the mind
of God, where are spiritual truths are known.
The second outcome I would identify is “My child will be able to recall scripture
appropriately.” When we can recall scripture in the midst of life experiences, we can effectively
align those experiences with the word of God. Reading scripture, allows us to understand the
sacrifices of Jesus and the love God has for his children. This understanding enables us to
treasure Jesus genuinely. “The greatest blessing you can give your children is to treasure Jesus
1 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design (Adelphi, MD: Cruciform Press, 2011), 61.
2 Ibid., 80.
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above all things, even above them.”3 The memorization of scripture encourages us to align our
own motivation and actions to be aligned with those of God. As disciples, it is essential to have
various scripture verses memorized, seared into our hearts and minds to cope with our everyday
life challenges and opportunities. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin
against you.” (Psalm 119:11, ESV)
The third outcome identified is “My child will be able to define the biblical salvation
plan.” Having a concise understanding of the salvation plan enables us to be cognitive of the fact
that we are a child of God and provide hope when we face challenges in this life. “It is widely
accepted that relationships are of key importance in a child’s learning experience.”4 Having the
knowledge of the plan of salvation allows disciples to focus on the relationship Christ desires
with all who believe in Him. Hope in our relationship with Christ changes the trajectory of our
discipleship experience. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of
the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13, NASB) This verse emphasizes the relationship with
we have with God when we receive Him, such a detrimental principle to understanding the
salvation plan. It proves that discipleship is about the relationship with Christ.
Doing
The first outcome is that “My child will be able to turn to prayer when he is tempted.”
“You want your children to develop the habit of prayer during times of temptation.”5 Everyday
life provides ample opportunities for disciples to turn to God in prayer – specifically when we
are tempted. Having the necessary skills to empower ourselves through prayer and direct our
3 Ibid., 92.
4 Sarah E Holmes, “An Exploration of Online Christian Faith Nurture for Children, Using UK Churches as a Case
Study,” International Journal of Christianity &Amp; Education 25, no. 2 (October 21, 2020): pp. 169-183,
https://doi.org/10.1177/2056997120965989, 175.
5 Tedd Tripp and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child’s Heart (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2008).
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attentions to His intent rather than what we believe the world intends allows us as disciples to be
effective as “doers of his word.” (James 1:22, ESV) Prayer is one method we use to
communicate with God. Knowing how and when to pray is an essential skill for disciples. Part of
the family discipleship strategies is the practice of coming back to the scripture, to help children
understand why prayer is important, “everything we do in family discipleship will be for naught
without prayer. Prayer is the recognition that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and
omnibenevolent and we are not.”6
The next outcome is that “My child will be obedient according to His word.” A life of
intentional obedience to God is a vital attribute for disciple. Obedience is discipline in action and
discipline is especially important. “Disobedience coupled with failure to discipline sends mixed
messages.”7 There is a direct correlation between obedience and discipleship. When our children
learn that obedience is an act of love, they will be more willing to obey. “The ultimate goal of
discipleship is that our children will come to delight in the grace of God and desire to love and
obey him.”8 This discipleship strategy will be defined according to the age of the child, younger
children will naturally show attitudes of rebellion but can be redirected to humble acts of
obedience when they understand that obedience and love are both parts of the same desired
outcome.
The third outcome is that “My child will develop a habit of reading the bible.” Being in
the Word daily is a spiritual disciple that generates knowledge necessary to fight temptation and
develop a mindset that guides our actions and thoughts. “Like a mirror, the Bible exposes us and
tells us the truth about ourselves.”9 When we are forced to look at ourselves through the eyes of
6 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design (Adelphi, MD: Cruciform Press, 2011), 90–
91.
7 Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Childs Heart (2nd Edition) (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2003), 144.
8 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design (Adelphi, MD: Cruciform Press, 2011), 60.
9 Ibid., 14.
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the Bible, we are given the opportunity to view us how Christ sees us. When we understand the
value God places on us, we can begin to appreciate how the Word shapes our worldview.
Reading the Bible reveals to us that God knows perfection is unattainable. His word shows us
that grace is a gift given when asked and that by His forgiveness and by following Him we can
abstain from sin.
Being
The first outcome is that “My child will be able to remain humble as they navigate life.”
Biblical humility is defined in Philippians; “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) A discipline who walks in
humility walks in such a way that others are set above us. Teaching this concept to our children
early will ensue that other characteristics that are derived from humility are learned. Those traits
include, respectfulness, kindness, generosity, compassion, patience – all are spiritual disciplines
that empower and enable them to respond to challenges with a Christlike mindset.
The next outcome identified is that “My child will have a teachable spirit.” Disciples
need to be willing learners. When we model a teachable spirit, we demonstrate for our kids the
aspect of a willing learner. They can see us look for and accept help through reading and
listening. When kids witness hypocrisy, they begin to ignore what we say. Children will become
what they see, therefore we must start becoming what we desire them to be. "Whoever loves
discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." (Proverbs 12:1, ESV) A disciple
is willing to learn, listen and understand that we are not all knowing and that His desire is that we
learn from new experiences, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” he says (Matthew
11:29, NIV)
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The final outcome is that “My child will grow in Christlikeness.” “All Scripture is
breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy
3:16-17; NIV) this good work includes growing in Christlikeness or pursing godliness. “Paul
wrote to Timothy, “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7b). Training involves discipline.
The plain truth is that many parents teach children to be disciplined students and disciplined
athletes, but when it comes to spiritual disciplines, the expectations are far lower, and the
emphasis greatly reduced.”10
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is a partner in the spiritual discipleship within the family, however a
parent can help direct a child to God and making the family discipleship model a priority in their
lives. An intentional and planned Family Discipleship models builds a solid foundation for
families, methods to help children understand the Word, understand the need for prayer and teach
them to respond biblically in life experiences those experiences do not align with God.
Identifying desired outcomes in a family discipleship model sets the expectations and nurtures
the individual as well as the family unit.
Bibliography
Holmes, Sarah E. “An Exploration of Online Christian Faith Nurture for Children, Using UK
Churches as a Case Study.” International Journal of Christianity & Education 25, no. 2
(October 21, 2020): 169–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056997120965989.
Thompson, Tad. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. Adelphi, MD: Cruciform
Press, 2011.
10 Tad Thompson, Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design (Adelphi, MD: Cruciform Press, 2011),
44.
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