3 Must-Have Resources for Family Discipleship
by Pastor Jeremy
Several years ago (and many less children) my wife and I began to embark on the daunting task of family discipleship. Can I be honest…? We had no clue what we were doing. (And to some degree…we still don’t.) But we felt the need to try something. One evening around the supper table as I was waxing eloquently (insert sarcasm) about some passage of Scripture to my then two-year old…she looked at me intently and with the utmost seriousness said, “daddy I have to tell you something.”
I knew it…I had broken through! Here was the moment I was waiting for. I eagerly replied and in hushed anticipation I waited for her epiphany. That’s when she said it…“daddy, I tooted.” It was not God’s glory that was on her mind but her gastrointestinal issues. And therein lies what I think is the best and most beautiful picture of family devotions.
I’ve learned over the past fourteen years that the key to family discipleship is faithfulness and consistency - not eloquence or information. It’s showing up…together…day after day and opening God’s Word. It’s getting back on the horse after we’ve missed several days and reminding ourselves that God’s love isn’t contingent on how many days in a row we’ve had family devotions. And it’s trusting, as parents, that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
It was also around this time (14 years ago) that the church we were a part of provided us with a resource, which proved to be an immense help. Our local church at the time helped us to understand that the church was not the primary engine or means of discipleship for our children. We, as the parents, were. But it also helped us to see how the local church can be one of the biggest cheerleaders and champions to parents who are the primary disciple makers in their home.
So here are 3 resources that our elders and staff team have benefited from greatly - our hope and prayer is that they will help you as you fulfil what the Psalmist exhorts us to in Psalm 78:4, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
- The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
In Luke 24:27 it says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” We believe that the Bible is one Big Story about God’s redemptive plan through His Son Jesus. This resource helps connect all the classic Bible stories to God’s redemptive work in Christ to show your child how it all points to (and is) about Jesus.
- The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
In Luke 24:27 it says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” We believe that the Bible is one Big Story about God’s redemptive plan through His Son Jesus. This resource helps connect all the classic Bible stories to God’s redemptive work in Christ to show your child how it all points to (and is) about Jesus.
- The-Ology by Marty Machowski
The artwork is amazing - the content is even more incredible. This is a systematic theology book for kids. It’s full of Scripture references and yet it’s easy to read every day as a devotional tool. Our kids love to just pull it off the shelf and pursue through it.
- The-Ology by Marty Machowski
The artwork is amazing - the content is even more incredible. This is a systematic theology book for kids. It’s full of Scripture references and yet it’s easy to read every day as a devotional tool. Our kids love to just pull it off the shelf and pursue through it.
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung
Similar to Lloyd-Jones, Kevin DeYoung helps connect major events and stories in the Bible to God’s bigger story. This book is slightly shorter and has some unique and attractive art that draws kids into the Bible. This is a resource that can even be read in one sitting or if you’re looking for something to work through in a shorter time frame.
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung
Similar to Lloyd-Jones, Kevin DeYoung helps connect major events and stories in the Bible to God’s bigger story. This book is slightly shorter and has some unique and attractive art that draws kids into the Bible. This is a resource that can even be read in one sitting or if you’re looking for something to work through in a shorter time frame.
There’s no perfect parent - God is the only one who fits that bill - and there’s no single model of family discipleship. Our hope as a church is that you would be intentional, consistent, and full of grace for yourself and your child. After all…God has been that way to you in abundance. Know that the Port City pastors are cheering for you, praying for you, and we are your biggest supporters as you seek to raise the next generation of Jesus followers.
