Does God care about the discipleship of youth and children? If so, do you think He would tell us how to best disciple them, or would He keep that information to Himself? If He did decide to share with us the best method of youth/children’s discipleship, how would He do that?
I firmly believe that God does care about youth and children. I also believe that God is smarter than we are, and therefore His methods are better than anything that we could invent. Furthermore, I believe that God has chosen to tell us how to disciple youth and children, and that He reveals those methods in His word.
When God led His people out of Egypt to start a new nation, the nation of Israel, He gave them laws which, if obeyed, would ensure that their nation would be godly and prosperous. In Deuteronomy 6, God gives His people the greatest commandment: “Love the LORD…with all your heart….”(v. 5). This law (and others) was to be taught by parents to their “children…when you sit in your house,…walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (v. 7). This command is repeated in Deut. 11:19. In Deut. 32:46-47, God’s people are told to set their hearts on obeying God’s word, and to teach their children to do the same. Loving God and teaching your children to do the same is “not a vain thing for you…it is your life…” (v. 47). The command in Deut. 6:7 gives us the who, what, when, where, and how of discipling youth and children:
Who: This command is clearly given to the parents, “you shall teach…your children” This is not the only command given to parents to disciple/teach/educate their children. In fact, every command in Scripture to disciple children is given to the parents. There are no commands given to the state (government) or even to the church to disciple children. God has given that role to parents.
What: The word “them” in verse 7, refers to the “words” of verse 6. This was the word/law of God. The curriculum that parents are to use in training their children is the word of God. This does not mean however that parents are only to teach “spiritual” things to their children. Remember that the word of God speaks to every area of life, not just the “spiritual” things (Ps. 119:128, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). If you want your children to be smarter than “the ancients” like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, teach them the word of God (Ps. 119:97-100). The Bible is not simply one subject that should be taught, but rather it is the foundation for understanding all other subjects. There is a biblical view of history and there is a secular view. It’s the same way with biology, economics, civics, and even grammar.
When: According to Deut. 6:7, the discipleship of children takes place every minute of every day, when you are sitting in your house, when you are out and about, when you lie down, and when you rise up. This verse not only tells us what should be, but it also tells us what is. Not only should your children be discipled throughout the day, they are being discipled throughout the day. Your children are constantly being taught by what they hear and the things they see. Every textbook they read, every peer they hang out with, every song they listen to, and everything they watch on TV, is discipling them.
Where: Since children are to be discipled primarily by their parents, we would think that much of that discipleship would take place in the home. That is exactly what we see in Deut. 6:7, “you shall teach…your children…in your house”. But we also see that you are to teach your children “when you walk by the way”. Though the home is an important place in relation to the discipleship of youth and children, one goal of this discipleship is to train your children to be able to function in society. Likewise, when you go out from the home, take your children with you so that they can learn how adults do things in the real world.
How: The method of discipleship given to us here has been termed by some as the “walk along/talk along” or “relational” method. While there is a place for a “lecture” type of teaching (like preaching a sermon), much of the discipleship we see in scripture is done in a walk along/talk along manner. You spend time with and invest your life in the one you are teaching. They go with you wherever you go so that they can learn by your example. Most of what we learn is “caught” rather than “taught”. But as you go, you are to talk to your children and explain how God’s law/word applies to every area of life. This is the method used by Jesus to disciple His disciples. He didn’t start a university or seminary, He invested His life in them. They went with Him wherever He went, and as they went, He talked to them about how to live for God.
Jesus Himself was educated in this manner. Though in one sense He needed no education (He is God, and God already knows everything), in another sense He had to grow in wisdom (Luke 2:52). It seems as though Jesus was educated by His earthy father Joseph. Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3) and it was likely that He was taught this work by His earthly father (Matt. 13:55). Furthermore, the Pharisees made note of the fact that Jesus had not gone to school (John 7:15). How then did Jesus know so much? Why, He had also been discipled by His heavenly Father, of course (John 7:16)! God the Father spoke to His Son, that is how Jesus learned (John 8:28; 12:49-50; 15:15). This is the “talk along” part of discipleship.
God the Father also had a “walk along” relationship with His Son. Father and Son were working together (John 5:17). The Father loves the Son and so He shows the Son everything that He does (5:20). The Son watches what His Father does, and then follows His Father’s example (5:19). This Father/Son, teaching/learning relationship that Jesus had with His heavenly Father was the same kind of relationship spoken of in Deut. 6:7.
This is God’s “youth program”. It is far superior to anything that the world or even the church has invented. Is it difficult? Yes. Is it time consuming? Yes. Is it at times a frustrating, heart-breaking endeavor? Yes. But by God’s grace it can be done, and it should be done. It is the best youth program ever.