Daily Discipleship: Modeling Christ with Children in Your Home
What does displaying life as a follower of Christ (disciple) look like every day to your children? Through my first four years of mothering two children, I am grateful I had models around me who encouraged my faith to be a Christian and truly live as one to set that example for my children. As a mom raised in a Christian home, I know the ways Christ was modeled around me growing up. Though I was, I recognize that other parents may be first-generation Christians and were not raised on Christian principles in the home.
In the book of Matthew 28 verses 19-20, it commands us to, “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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” As our children grow in understanding of God’s truth and word–they are going to observe what we do. We can’t force our children into salvation, however, in these early years we can take each day to evangelize to their little hearts and allow them to see us live out the gospel through our words, time, and actions. Children get to witness us forgive when we don’t quite get it right and see us walk in repentance which helps strengthen the family into freedom with Christ because of the decisions we choose to make by following the voice of the Holy Spirit.
In society, we are wired to set goals and achieve them on a high level. As there is nothing wrong with that—the role of a Christian parent is to train children in the way that should go (Proverbs 22:6) and that includes modeling discipleship in our everyday lives. In the first four years of parenthood, I have learned that modeling life as a disciple to my children is more than just reading scriptures and picking out the best gospel-driven books. It is also about displaying God's goodness all around, like allowing them to see me take responsibility for my actions and rely on Christ to transform my heart posture daily.
Here are some ways we reflect discipleship to our kids every day right after breakfast. Parents can incorporate this before going to work or waiting until after dinner time.
Breakfast/Mealtime Bible Story: When my oldest girl was a toddler, we started to incorporate a more consistent rhythm of Bible story reading in the home. One thing we do in our home now every single day Monday-Saturday is Breakfast Bible Story. Sundays are devoted to church so we usually don’t do it on those days. I love to be able to share this rhythm because it can be incorporated for any family whether they are working full-time or at home full-time. What does Breakfast Bible Story look like for us and how can you utilize it? It can go as short as 10 minutes or as long as 30 minutes. You get to set the pace for how you want to engage with your children.
Action 1: Pick one short Bible Story to read out of a bible-based story book. Children are like sponges when it comes to stories!
Bible Storybook Ideas:
The Biggest Story Bible by Crossway
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally-Lloyd Jones & Jargo
Treasury of Bible Stories by Donna Jo Napoli
One day, I randomly made up a fun song for our breakfast bible story time. Since then, my kids have enjoyed singing it as it prepares them to transition to our morning time. Have fun with it in your own style if you may!
Our Breakfast Bible Story Song:
“Get ready for breakfast Bible story,
Get ready for breakfast Bible story,
We ready, we ready, we ready, for breakfast Bible Story. (Repeat one more)”
Things to note: every day will not look the same, behaviors will rise, and schedules will change, however, the rhythm of it does not have to. Interruptions from your children are great opportunities to lead and teach them, it will not always be perfect.
Action 2: We display praying into the day with the opportunity for our children to pray if they desire to. Most times they love to pray because they see it modeled so much! Children model their devotion to God from what see displayed by their parents.
Extra Action Items:
Action 3: Pick 2-3 short worship songs the kids can engage in, develop an activity from the story, or select a Bible storybook based on the reading if you allow your kids to watch television. I personally just teach the song without showing the videos. We love to watch an episode of Superbook which runs about 20 minutes each episode.
Worship Children Song Channels:
Cedarmont Kids (My personal favorite because I grew up on some of these songs!)
Listener Kids (A bit more new school Christian song rhythms)
Bible Story Shows:
Taking one thing at a time to incorporate will cause less overwhelm. The goal is to make this an enjoyable time for family discipleship growth, not being pressured by adding every single thing. You get to decide what works best for your home!
There are a few things we also have incorporated at any given time of the day.
Memory verses in the back of books like Jesus Saves: The Gospel for Toddlers or flashcards from Tiny Theologians ABC Cards.
Adding a Bible activity coloring sheet or construction/building project to go along with the story. Example: (If we read about Jonah, I may print out some coloring sheets about Jonah. Both my 2 and 4-year-old will color together! There are other times when I may incorporate something that can open more creativity with playdough, stickers, or other simple items around the house.)
Toddler/Child Discipleship Tip: If you can’t incorporate rhythms around breakfast due to being away from your family because of work or other obligations—-you can always select a time during/after dinner time. Can’t wait to share more with you in more blogs to come!
“The most important gift you can give your child is to help them begin a walk of faith with the God of the universe. From the moment your children arrive in your home, you are teaching them how to see the world, what to consider important, what to seek, what to love.
-Quote by Sally Clarkson
