Welcome to the new spot for all things parenting and discipleship of the Next Generation!
Hello, welcome to the brand new resource that we want to bring to those of you who are parents of children at First Baptist Church. Did you know that at First Baptist Church, we currently have around 60 children who are between the ages of 1-18? That means that on any given Sunday, almost half of those in attendance are children!
I don't know about you, but to me, this stat alone screams that we have a great responsibility in front of us.
The Command is Clear
Discipleship is the calling of every disciple. Every follower of Jesus is called to first be a disciple then be a disciple maker. For parents, that call starts in the home. The top priority for parents who are disciples of Jesus is the discipleship of their own children.
We could literally turn to most any corner of the scriptures to see this calling from the Lord outlined. Perhaps the most plain and obvious place though is in Ephesians 6:1-4.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
In this passage, we see that parents have a responsibility to:
Require obedience of their children
Bring their children up in the discipline of the Lord (this requires effort and intentionality that is fueled by God's enabling grace)
Bring their children up in the instruction of the Lord (teaching them the great truths of God)
Fathers lead the home in this call (Father's, as God's ordained head are to take the lead in these matters)
Does this seem weighty to you? Of course it does. When Paul penned these words in Ephesians 6, he had just earlier been speaking of the Sovereign grace of God toward us (Ephesians 1-2) and this grace is what enables us to live out this great calling. You and me do not have what it takes to do this- but God does and God is calling you and me to be faithful to bring our children up in Him so that "the next generation might know [Him] and that they would arise and tell their children so that they should set their hope in God" (Psalm 78:5-7).
Resources that Help
One of God's good gifts to us today is the ability to learn from brothers and sisters from all over the world who use their gifts to serve His church by producing resources aimed at helping us in the parenting call. That is what this blog will be all about.
The goal will be to regularly share with you a curated list of resources that we want you to take advantage of and we hope will help you in your parenting journey! These will be a collection of articles, books, videos, podcasts, and other resources that specifically speak to parents with the aim at equipping them in discipling their children. I also hope to start a podcast aimed at helping parents.
You may not have time to use them all or read and digest everything but I will consider it a win if you come here and find biblically sound, gospel- centered help as a parent of children.
I am praying for you and working with you for your joy in the gospel and in our great Savior and King. May this blog be used for His glory and the joy of all who come across it!