The biblical model for home discipleship begins with the families in Genesis and is mandated by the Lord in Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Verse 7 states that parents are to teach the commandments of the Lord to their children diligently “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” This is not a Sunday morning only endeavor. Parents are to “diligently” disciple their children throughout the day, every day of the week. Ephesians 5:25-26 states that husbands are to teach the Word to their wives. This is how a husband loves his wife as Christ loves the church. Ephesians 6:4 places the responsibility of the discipleship of children on fathers in that fathers are to bring up children “in the training and admonition of the Lord.” For a household with no father, the mother must assume this role and the church should come alongside her to equip and assist in the discipleship of her children. This is best accomplished family-to-family in day-to-day life when families use their gifts to serve and love one another.
The household approach to discipleship is not only biblical, it also has many benefits to the church. I’ll discuss these in future blog posts.
