It doesn’t take long to realize that our children pay attention to our actions before they listen to our words. One of the best examples of this is during the baby stage. Even before babies decipher our words, they learn how to respond to inflections, and miraculously begin to sync up with the natural rhythms in our home.
As our children grow, discipleship in the home continues. The music we listen to, the movies we watch, and the food we eat all make up our family culture as much as holiday traditions and daily rhythms. Whether we realize it or not, we have the extraordinary privilege and weighty responsibility as mothers to set the tone of our homes.
Therefore, it is important to remember that while discipleship is inevitable in the home, what we need to be asking is to what end are we discipling them?
How will they define success based on what we have communicated as important?
What will be their priorities once they launch into the world as a result of what we have modeled?
Who will they look to as their authority to guide them on their way?
As those who are seeking to lead and love our families in a Christ-centered home, it is not only beneficial, but critical, to have truth-filled resources and an intentional community helping you disciple your children in the ways of the Lord. In that light, I’m sharing some of my favorite resources and helpful tools that I’ve created with you in mind to help you do just that.
These three things will help you create a culture of discipleship in your home that is rooted in Christ: set a time, choose a guide, and make a plan.
Options for connecting as a family and pursuing intentional time in the Word of God include:
SET A TIME
- Morning time over breakfast
- Evening time during or after dinner
- Bedtime
- Redeeming time in the car traveling or waiting
CHOOSE A GUIDE
These resources have served our family well over the years with younger children on up through the teenage years. Choose one at a time and feel free to use them as jumping off points for deeper discussion.
- The Jesus Storybook Bible – A great starting point and is well suited for littles.
- Long Story Short – A family devotion book that walks through the Old and New Testament.
- A Child’s Story Bible– A way to read through the bible in a child-friendly way. This is a great supplement to any devotion.
- The Children’s Illustrated Bible – A great way to make the Word of God come alive to your children as it shows real places and people from the various regions discussed in the Bible.
- Indescribable – A fun and amazing way to explore God’s creation and build wonder while staying rooted in scripture.
- New City Catechism – Short questions and answers to equip and solidify biblical truths.
- Training Hearts, Teaching Minds – Walking through catechism questions and is best for older kids.
- Dinner Table Devotions – Simple but profound discussions for around the table.
- Then Sings My Soul – Discusses various hymns and the stories of the people that wrote them. Adding worship to your family time is always a good idea.
- Christian Heroes: Then and Now Missionary books such as this one about Corrie Ten Boom, or even a compilation like Hero Talesis a great way to study heroes of the faith.
- Window to the World: A book that leads you to pray for and learn about other cultures through the lens of the gospel.
- Write the Word: Train your child to write and meditate on a verse one day at a time.
MAKE A PLAN
Intentionality doesn’t happen without a plan. These planning pages that I use at the beginning of each school year become an anchor for me to intentionally invest in my children, acknowledging their character as the primary focus. There are spaces to write down books to read, scripture to be praying for this year, and one character focus per child.
Download your FREE PLANNING PAGES HERE and make a plan for the way you want to go this year. If you want to hear me talk a little more about them, watch THIS VIDEO.
Lastly, moms, be encouraged. This is not just one more thing to add to your to-do list. In fact, as you are spending time in the Word of God alongside of your children, it will richly bless you and equip you to press on one day at a time. So, set a time, choose a guide, and make a plan today, knowing there is an entire community of mamas cheering you on and walking alongside of you.