Discipleship Tips for 2026
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
I’ve always wondered what the conversation was like between the first apostles after Jesus said these words. Maybe someone started by saying something like: “Make disciples? How in the world do we do that? Where do we start?” If they were at all apprehensive about this mission, Jesus already knew it. It is probably why he ended this great commission with: “And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
When it comes to making disciples of our children and grandchildren, we start with the incredible truth that Jesus is always with us. As Christian parents, we are not alone. We are not without the spiritual power and resources for discipleship. From there, it is helpful to remind ourselves of the practical things we need to do. So, here are some discipleship tips that can get you started this year. Hopefully, they either encourage you to continue in what you are doing, or start an entirely new set of habits.
1. Read the Bible to your children.
This is the most basic, but often most ignored habit of the Christian parent. Disciples of Jesus need to know the Word of God. They need to hear it being read by their parents. The greatest resource we have for discipleship is the Bible in our own language. Read just a few verses a day following a Bible reading plan. Or, our Investigating God’s Word…At Home to guide you through all of God’s Word. Invite your children to learn to love God’s Word with you!
2. Talk about the Bible with your children.
Use one of our resources like Road Talk or Meal Talk to have discipleship conversations. It only takes a few minutes on the road or at the table to ask a few questions and review answers about a Scripture passages. These resources provide all that you need. You just have to pick them up and put them to good use!
3. Have your children read the Bible for themselves.
As much as your children need to hear your voice, they need to see and hear the living and active Word of God for themselves. You can help them with a daily Bible reading plan. You can also make use of my daily devotional: Learn it, Love it, Live It, Teach it. A daily devotional gives that additional help of explaining and applying God’s Word to their hearts.
4. Look for times of informal discipleship.
While it is essential to have regular, scheduled time to disciple your children, God’s Word is often most powerful when situations arise in their lives. When your child is anxious or angry or has been hurt in some way, they need you to give more than love and sympathy. They need to have their minds and hearts changed and molded by the Word of God. Your children need wisdom for life; so make sure what you dispense wisdom that is shaped by Holy Scripture, not just by your own opinions or experience.
5. Pray for and with your children.
While parents are responsible for all the activities of disciple making, we know it is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit that changes hearts. Salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. So pray for your children’s salvation and sanctification. Let them also hear you pray with them each and every day, as you model a praying life for them.
6. Take your children to church.
This should go without saying. Yet, recent research demonstrates that church attendance by families is continuing to decline. And, even for families committed to a local church, attendance is more sporadic today due to ever-increasing distractions on Sunday (youth sports being most predominant). Your children need to hear God’s Word preached and taught every week to be discipled well. They need the context of the family of God to see living examples of disciples.
7. Be an example of a disciple to your children.
The first disciples had the privilege of seeing Jesus with the own eyes. They walked with Him, ate with Him, and talked with Him. You need to show your children Jesus in the way you walk and talk. They are watching everything you say and do, and don’t say and don’t do. It is a daunting thing to know your children learn the most about life as they live with you. Use it as motivation to live a life of faith, repentance, humility, and dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Making disciples of your children is your highest calling as well as your most formidable task. Satan and this dark world are vigorously at work to ensure your children become disciples of someone or something else other than Jesus Christ. We must continue to rise to the occasion, trusting in the power of the Spirit and the Word of God to change hearts and redeem souls. Be encouraged that Jesus is always with you as you make disciples of your children every day!