Discipleship: Navigating Parenting with God's Unchanging Truth

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Unchanging Amidst a Changing World

In a world that seems to be shifting faster than ever, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or anxious, especially when considering the challenges facing the next generation. Yet, there is deep comfort in knowing that God remains constant—He is not surprised by the changes around us, nor is He shaken by the uncertainties we face. God is sovereign over history, moving all things toward His purposes, and invites us to trust Him even when we do not understand what is happening. We do not need to be afraid, for the God who was faithful in the past is the same today and will be tomorrow. [37:49]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV)
"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel anxious about change? How can you intentionally remind yourself today that God is unchanging and in control of your story?

Day 2: Discipleship Is a Lifestyle, Not a Program

Discipling the next generation is not about a set program or a specific time slot in the week; rather, it is a way of life. The call is to guide children into a personal relationship with Jesus and to teach them, through both words and actions, what it looks like to live out that relationship every day. This means discipleship happens in the ordinary moments—when you sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. It is about modeling faith in the rhythms of daily life, making spiritual formation a natural and ongoing part of your family’s story. [41:56]

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Reflection: What is one ordinary moment today where you can intentionally share your faith or model Christ’s love to your children or someone younger in your life?

Day 3: Parents Are the Primary Spiritual Voice

Parents have the unique and primary responsibility to be the main spiritual influence in their children’s lives. This role is not about perfection, but about faithfully teaching, modeling, and living out the love and commands of God in everyday life. Even when it feels difficult or when you feel inadequate, God desires to work in and through you to disciple your children. You are not alone in this calling, and your consistent presence and example matter deeply in shaping the faith of the next generation. [42:53]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional this week about being the primary spiritual voice in your child’s or a young person’s life, even in small, everyday interactions?

Day 4: The Power of Community in Discipleship

While parents are the primary spiritual voice, God designed discipleship to happen within a community. The faith community—multi-generational and diverse—plays a vital role in supporting, encouraging, and reinforcing the spiritual growth of children and teens. Whether through formal ministry roles or informal relationships, every member of the church family can be an “other voice” that points the next generation to Jesus. Discipleship is most effective when it is shared, and when we come alongside one another in love and support. [44:30]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who is one young person in your church or community you can encourage or invest in this week, either through a word, a prayer, or an act of service?

Day 5: Partnering with God in Supernatural Ministry

The work of discipling the next generation and building up families is ultimately God’s ministry, not ours. We are called to partner with Him, relying on His guidance, strength, and wisdom rather than our own abilities or ideas. This means praying for revival, seeking God’s direction, and trusting Him to do what only He can do in the hearts of children, parents, and leaders. Our role is to be faithful, to pray, and to make ourselves available for God to use, knowing that the results belong to Him. [01:24:06]

John 15:5 (ESV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What is one area of your ministry to children, youth, or families where you need to surrender control and intentionally ask God to do what only He can do?

Sermon Summary

Parenting in today’s world can feel overwhelming, especially as culture and technology seem to change at a dizzying pace. Many of us feel the weight of not having all the answers, and sometimes we’re just trying to keep up. Yet, in the midst of all this uncertainty, there is a deep and steady truth: God does not change. He is not surprised by the challenges we face, and He remains sovereign over history, guiding it toward His purposes. This assurance allows us to face the unknown with courage, even when the path is difficult.

Discipling the next generation is not a program or a checklist; it’s a lifestyle. God’s design for passing on faith is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, we see that loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength is meant to be lived out and taught to our children in the ordinary moments—when we sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. It’s not about perfect family devotions or rigid routines, but about consistently modeling and speaking of God’s love and truth in the flow of daily life.

Parents are called to be the primary spiritual voice in their children’s lives, but they are not meant to do it alone. The community—the church family—plays a vital role as a second voice, coming alongside parents to support, encourage, and invest in the next generation. This partnership is both formal, through ministries and programs, and informal, through organic relationships and intentional mentoring. Discipleship is a two-way street, where both adults and young people are shaped and encouraged by one another.

There is a real cost to this kind of ministry. It requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to step into the messiness of real life. But God promises to equip and empower us for what He calls us to do. As we pray for our children, parents, and ministry leaders, we trust that God will do what only He can do—bring awakening, healing, and transformation. Our role is to partner with Him, relying on His wisdom and strength, and to walk faithfully in the calling He has given us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Unchanging Nature in a Changing World In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable and fast-moving, God remains constant and sovereign. He is not surprised by the challenges we face, and He is actively guiding history toward His purposes. This truth anchors us, allowing us to face uncertainty with courage and hope, knowing that our fears do not have the final word. [37:49]
2. Discipleship as a Lifestyle, Not a Program Passing on faith to the next generation is not about a set program or a specific time of day. It is about integrating the love and truth of God into the everyday rhythms of life—teaching through both our words and our actions, in the ordinary and unplanned moments. This approach invites authenticity and persistence, even when our efforts feel imperfect or messy. [41:56]
3. The Dual Voices of Discipleship: Parents and Community While parents are called to be the primary spiritual influence in their children’s lives, they are not meant to carry this responsibility alone. The broader faith community is called to be a second voice, offering support, encouragement, and additional perspectives. This intergenerational partnership reflects God’s design for discipleship and strengthens the faith of both young and old. [42:53]
4. The Cost and Reward of Investing in the Next Generation Serving in family and youth ministry is not easy; it often requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and perseverance. There are times of exhaustion and doubt, but also moments of deep joy as we witness God at work in the lives of young people. The investment is worth it, not because it is easy, but because it is eternally significant and God promises to work through our faithfulness. [76:15]
5. Prayerful Dependence and Partnership with God Ultimately, the work of discipling the next generation is supernatural—something only God can truly accomplish. Our role is to pray, to seek His guidance, and to partner with Him, trusting that He will equip, empower, and direct us. As we lift up our children, parents, and ministry leaders in prayer, we invite God to do what only He can do: bring revival, healing, and transformation. [84:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:01] - The Challenge of Parenting in a Changing World
[37:49] - God’s Sovereignty and Our Fears
[38:45] - A Simple Definition of Discipleship
[40:56] - Deuteronomy 6: Passing Faith to the Next Generation
[41:56] - Discipleship as a Lifestyle
[42:53] - The Two Voices: Parents and Community
[44:30] - Formal and Informal Community Discipleship
[45:34] - Testimonies from Family Ministry
[76:15] - The Sacrifice and Joy of Serving
[79:37] - Equipping and Empowering Parents
[81:17] - Praying for Parents, Kids, and Ministry
[84:06] - Closing Prayer and Dependence on God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 6:1–9 (ESV) —
> Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Observation Questions

According to Deuteronomy 6, what are the specific times and places Moses mentions for teaching children about God?
In the sermon, what are the two “voices” described as being important in discipling the next generation? ([42:53])
What does the sermon say about God’s response to the challenges and changes we face in parenting today? ([37:49])
How does the sermon describe the difference between discipleship as a “program” and as a “lifestyle”? ([41:56])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Moses emphasizes teaching children about God in the ordinary, everyday moments rather than just in formal settings?
The sermon says God is not surprised by the challenges we face and remains in control. How might this truth change the way parents and leaders approach their fears and anxieties? ([37:49])
What are some reasons the sermon gives for why parents are not meant to disciple their children alone, but need the support of the church community? ([42:53])
The sermon mentions that investing in the next generation comes with a cost. What kinds of sacrifices or challenges are mentioned, and why are they considered worth it? ([01:16:15])

Application Questions

Think about your own family or the families you know. What are some “ordinary moments” in daily life where faith conversations could naturally happen? How could you be more intentional in those times? ([41:56])
The sermon talks about the importance of both parents and the church community in discipling kids. If you are a parent, who are the “second voices” speaking into your children’s lives? If you are not a parent, how might you become a “second voice” for a child or teen in our church? ([42:53])
The message says that God is not surprised by the challenges we face and that He is in control. Is there a specific fear or worry you have about the next generation? How can you bring that to God this week? ([37:49])
Discipleship is described as a lifestyle, not a program. What is one small change you could make in your daily or weekly routine to help pass on faith more naturally? ([41:56])
The sermon mentions that serving in family or youth ministry can be exhausting and messy, but also deeply rewarding. If you have served in this way, what has been your biggest challenge and your greatest joy? If you haven’t, what might be holding you back? ([01:16:15])
The pastor led the church in praying for three groups: kids/teens, parents, and ministry leaders. Which of these groups do you feel most called to pray for or support right now? How can you take a step this week to encourage or pray for someone in that group? ([01:21:17])
The sermon says that only God can truly bring awakening, healing, and transformation. What is one area where you need to depend more on God’s power rather than your own efforts? ([01:24:06])

Sermon Clips

``But I want you guys to hear this in the midst of the challenges and the changes that there is a God who doesn't change. There is a God who can overcome any challenge. There is a God who continues to move from generation to generation. And there is a God who is not surprised by all that is going on right now. [00:37:11] (22 seconds) #UnchangingGodInChangingTimes

It doesn't mean that it's easy. It can be really, really hard. But I've said this up here before, and I'm going to say it again. That if this is God's design for how we're supposed to disciple the next generation, then guess what? It's God's desire to actually do that thing. So that God wants to do the things in you and through you and with you in order to disciple the next generation. And as parents, we can hold on to that truth as well. [00:38:09] (30 seconds) #GodEmpowersDiscipleship

Moses is looking at everybody and he's going, listen, this is what I want you to do. This is what it looks like to love and obey God. So do it and teach your kids to do the same. This is what it looks like to love and obey God and do it and teach your kids to do the same. [00:40:56] (18 seconds) #LoveObeyTeachRepeat

Notice Moses does not say that it's about a program. He doesn't say it's about one hour a week. He doesn't say that it has to be in the morning and it has to be in the evening. It doesn't have to be family devotions. How many people have found family devotions a train wreck? About the same as the first one. I could go up here too. Like it is awful sometimes trying to make that happen. That's not what he's saying. He's saying that it's all of life. That it's actually a lifestyle. [00:41:14] (31 seconds) #FaithAsALifestyle

My dad was on a very strict diet for a while. Like it was an intense diet and I couldn't break asking him about the diet. And so whenever I would see him, I just kept using the word diet, diet, diet. So I was like, dad, I go, how's your diet going? And he would look at me, same response every time. If you know my dad, he'd look at me and he'd go, it's not a diet, son. It's a lifestyle. It's not a diet, son. It's a lifestyle. My dad was trying to communicate that this diet was not a program. It wasn't a pattern in his life, but it was a new way to do life. [00:41:46] (40 seconds) #DiscipleshipEverydayEverywhere

So as we disciple our kids, it's about a lifestyle. It's actually about teaching them not only what we say, but also what we do in everyday life. Discipling our kids is every day and at any time. Discipling is every day and at any time. [00:42:26] (25 seconds) #ParentsLeadSpiritualVoices

The first voice is the primary voice, the number one voice. And that's the parents who are supposed to be the number one voice in spiritually discipling their kids. So again, as we disciple our children, it's a lifestyle where we teach through words and actions through our day. Discipleship is everywhere and at any time. [00:43:14] (19 seconds) #CommunitySupportsFaith

Voice number two is the community. We see community in here. We know Moses is not just talking to a couple of families or one family. He's talking to the whole nation of Israel. So that means there was a community there and that community would have been multi -generational. So Moses is saying, yes, parents have that primary responsibility, but you're not supposed to do it alone. You're supposed to do it in community. And that community is supposed to be intergenerational or multi -generational. [00:43:35] (28 seconds) #BeingTheOtherVoice

We as a freshwater family, we need to be that other voice. We have a responsibility to be that other voice. That other voice can happen through formal ways, like you're volunteering in a kid's ministry or a teen ministry, right? That you're going in and you're helping to serve and to minister in that way. Or it could be informal. Informal, where it just organically happens or intentionally you're going after discipling another kid or teen. That you're being that other spiritual voice in their life. Teaching them with your voice and teaching them with your life. [00:44:03] (47 seconds) #FamilyMinistryInBothVoices

What does it look like as a ministry to, um, to encourage, right? To encourage parents, like it's hard, it's tough. What does it look like to equip parents to help you guys in what it is that he's called you to, and to empower you three E's to encourage, to equip and empower you to do what God is calling you to do. [01:19:37] (28 seconds) #PartneringWithGod

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