• Privacy and Disclosure Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Jennifer Hayes Yates

  • Home
  • Shop
  • New Life
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Schedule
  • The FOCUSED 15 Challenge

Making Little Disciples

March 27, 2019 By Jennifer H. Yates 1 Comment

27 Mar

When I first decided to follow Jesus, I was still in college. Three years later I was married. During those three years, I craved the presence of God. I read the Bible, hungry for truth. And the more I read, the more of His life I wanted in mine.

So, I was determined that I would raise my future children in a Christian home, where God was the center of our lives. When I read the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) to go and make disciples, I wanted my children to be those first disciples that I could pour my heart into.

Making Little Disciples

In one of Paul’s letters to Timothy, we get a glimpse of two women who did the same. They brought Timothy up with sincere faith in their hearts for God which was later reflected in his own life.

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

2 Timothy 1:5, NIV 84

I love that we get this little glimpse into the lives of the parents who helped shape the faith of Timothy, a young man who became like a son to Paul and to whom Paul had entrusted the church at Ephesus.

Timothy’s mother was a Jewish Christian and his father was Greek.

“He [Paul] came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.”

Acts 16:1

Commentators believe that because Scripture emphasizes his mother’s belief and not his father’s, that Timothy’s father was not a believer. It is also believed that, because Paul references Timothy fifteen years later as a young man (1 Timothy 4:12), that he was actually a teen at this time.

So, we get this little glimpse into the life of a young man whose mother and grandmother influenced him to believe in God, even at a young age and also having had an unbelieving father.

I want to share with you three approaches we can take as moms to help disciple our children in the ways of the Lord.

First, teach them the Word.

I think we sometimes believe that our kids should get their Bible teaching from church and Sunday school, but the first place they should learn the Word is at home.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he reminds him to continue in the Word he had been taught from infancy.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15

As parents, we should be the primary teachers of the Word to our children. We can do so through bedtime devotions, family worship, or dinner table talks. As we go through daily life–in the car, at the market, etc.–we have the opportunity to use the Scripture to enforce life lessons.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Second, pray with your children.

We all pray for our children, but I believe it is so important that they hear us pray aloud with them. When we do, they hear our heart for them to know Christ and walk with Him. We are reinforcing our love for them and establishing their identity in Jesus.

In Hebrew culture, the blessing of children was a big deal (Think Esau and Jacob).

“For sons or daughters in biblical times, receiving the blessing was a momentous event. At a specific point in their lives they would hear their parents pronounce words of encouragement, love, and acceptance. They would hear their names linked with God’s promises and the special history of their people.”

Gary Smalley and John Trent, Giving the Blessing: Daily Thoughts on the Joy of Giving, January 5

I believe this blessing should be part of our prayers over our children, so they grow and develop with an understanding that they are loved and cherished by their Creator.

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

Mark 10:14

Third, lead by example.

I realize this point is the most difficult to carry out, but with God’s help we can do our best. Many young people raised in church fall away when they become old enough to decide for themselves. Often, the reason is that they witnessed a different message between church and home.

As Christian parents, we are not perfect. But I don’t believe that is an excuse to be lazy in our spirituality at home. We need to live what we believe and own it when we mess up.

My children still tell me I angrily threw a chair one day when we were home schooling. I have no recollection of that, but the fact they laugh about it gives me hope that I at least made it right with them later!

Being an example is not about being the perfect mom all the time; it’s about spending quiet time with the Lord every day, walking in the Spirit with God’s grace, and being quick to ask forgiveness when we do mess up.

“For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 10:33b-11:1

Making disciples is about setting an example for others to follow.

So as moms, we can learn from the example of Lois and Eunice, who “from infancy” taught Timothy the ways of the Lord. I’m sure they weren’t perfect, but Scripture says they were sincere.

Maybe you didn’t have a great example yourself. Maybe your child-rearing days are behind you, and you have many regrets. I would encourage you to talk with your children, confessing your sins, and asking for their forgiveness.

You are not responsible for their response but only your obedience. So, be encouraged, because the God we serve is more than able to redeem your past mistakes.

In fact, that’s what He does best.

More content from the series Biblical Women Just Like Us

SHARE THIS:

31shares
  • Facebook 29
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Family Life Tagged With: Bible studies for Women, Biblical Women Just Like Us, Christian devotional for women, christian families, Christian parenting, family devotion, family dinner, family life, family worship, Jennifer Hayes Yates, Making Little Disciples, parenting

« 3 Ways to Walk in Wisdom with Relationships
Women Who Follow Jesus »

About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends. I enjoy my family, my church, my small group, and most of all, my quiet time with Jesus. Come join me on this journey as we run after God together!

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertisement

Latest on Instagram

jenniferhyates

jenniferhyates


Worried and upset over many things? Jesus said onl
Worried and upset over many things? Jesus said only ONE THING is needed. Choose the better thing. #onething #atHisfeet #linkinbio ⁠

Instagram post 17983328917318191
Instagram post 17983328917318191

Everybody knows New Year’s resolutions are just
Everybody knows New Year’s resolutions are just promises made to be broken. I stopped making them a long time ago. But evaluating my spiritual life and doing a priority check? That’s something worth taking the time for as we begin a new year.⁠
⁠
Click #linkinbio ⁠
⁠
#bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Last Scripture reading of 2020 and looking forward
Last Scripture reading of 2020 and looking forward to starting over tomorrow ❤️ #bibleinayear womenoftheword #wordbeforeworld #readthroughthebible

You want to study the Bible and grow your faith. I
You want to study the Bible and grow your faith. I know you do. And I know you want to start 2021 with a daily Bible habit. I also know that even when your heart is right, life can often get in the way.⁠
⁠
Groceries must be shopped, laundry folded, homework checked, meals prepared, work done, relationships built, ministry carried out. And even when we have the best of intentions, it’s really hard to stay consistent with an in-depth Bible study.⁠
⁠
But when we don’t stay in the Word, we don’t grow. Relationships are harder, work suffers, real ministry is impossible, and our hearts grow discontent. That’s because apart from HIM we can do nothing. And His Word is the truth we need to walk in day by day.⁠
⁠
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to just settle for the crumbs from the Master’s table. That’s a lie from the enemy. Instead, you can sit down and feast on His Word. Even if you are super busy.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio for rest of article and to sign up for the free challenge!⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Instagram post 17867036609237476
Instagram post 17867036609237476


Load More...


Follow on Instagram


This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.