Partnering in Discipleship

by Heidi Parker

Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.

Christmas movies, pajamas, and snuggles.

Christmas tree lights and story books.

A season focused on family togetherness and traditions.

Do images of your own family come to mind as you read those words?

Now imagine a family reading the first chapter of their advent devotion together this year.

We’ll use the Wright family to help us picture this.

Stephanie reads the night’s scripture portion and lights the next candle. Scarlet asks a good question, while Rowan checks to see if he can fit under the couch. They all sing a classic Christmas carol, possibly a bit out of tune, but it is a loud and joyful time complete with Liam jingling some jingle bells as loudly as he possibly can. Calvin closes with a prayer prompt, and Scarlet, Liam, Noah, and even Rowan, respond in a simple, faith-filled way.

At church that Sunday, Ms. Melissa is teaching the Elementary lesson. Liam is fervently trying to land his water bottle flip, when something she says grabs his attention. She is reading Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” He interrupts her: “Ms. Melissa. We were just talking at home this week about how God is light. Does that mean that the people who saw a light actually saw God?” And so the Elementary class launches into a conversation about Adam and Eve, the darkness of sin, and how Jesus is the only one who can push back that darkness.

You can stop imaging that scene now. It was a pretty nice picture though, wasn’t it?

A picture of how the family and church can partner together in discipleship.

Parents: You are the primary disciplers of your kids- the ones who show them Jesus and teach them what it means to live a life surrendered to Him.

Church: You are partners with them. We have classes on Sunday morning to offer parents a tool in their toolbox for further discipleship of their kids. Your job on Sunday morning is to be a part of each child’s larger family. Show them what it means to be delighted in, dependent on, and devoted to Jesus.

Together, can we commit to faithfully disciple the kids that God has entrusted to our care?

Here are some ways you can be praying for the ministry of Oak Hill Kids:

- This Christmas season, we are giving Elementary families an Advent devotion book that will coincide with the Elementary lessons being taught Nov 30 – Dec 21. Pray that this resource would grow family discipleship. Pray that Sunday morning class times would reinforce truths being discussed at home. Pray that our kids would come to understand their need for a Savior because of this study.

- In the New Year, we are launching into a new curriculum in both Elementary and Preschool. Pray that our teaching teams would be well equipped to preach the gospel each week. Pray that our kids would grow in their knowledge of God and that it would result in hearts being surrendered to him.