Public Blog

The discipleship of children and youth is one of the most urgent callings of our time. In a culture that relentlessly shapes the hearts and minds of the next generation, God’s design for discipleship must be reclaimed and prioritized. Parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, but Scripture also reveals the value of a broader, intentional village—rooted in biblical truth—that comes alongside the home to strengthen and support this calling. Some might call this village extended family or friends.

God’s Design: Parents First, But Not Alone

The Bible is clear: the responsibility of discipling children belongs first to the parents.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

This ongoing lifestyle of discipleship is essential in the development of the next generation. Parents cannot outsource the spiritual training of their children, but neither are they meant to walk the journey in isolation. We were created for relationship, but it is our choice to determine the influences we allow in our children’s lives. God designed the community of faith—an intentional, Christ-centered village—to be a reinforcing voice of truth in a child’s life.

The Biblical Village

The book of Psalms emphasizes generational discipleship within the community of God’s people:

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)

This is not limited to parents but includes grandparents, teachers, mentors, and the wider faith family. In the early church, discipleship was communal: families broke bread together, prayed together, and upheld one another in faith (Acts 2:42–47). The village was intentional, not passive. Its calling was to pass down truth and model godly living for young believers.

Why the Village Matters

Research reveals the power of multiple voices affirming the same truths. Studies from the Barna Group show that young people are far more likely to remain in the faith when they have at least five invested Christian adults in their lives beyond their parents. This confirms the biblical pattern: discipleship thrives when children are surrounded by a village of believers who echo the same values and truths being taught at home.

Yet, for this village to be effective, it must be rooted in biblical truth. A community that affirms cultural values over God’s Word will not lead children toward Christ, but away from Him. The intentional village must stand firm on Scripture, aligning with God’s design for the family and His standards of holiness.

The Role of the Village

While parents are the primary disciplers, the village—comprised of the church, Christian educators, and godly mentors—serves to reinforce, not replace, parental discipleship. This alignment prevents mixed messages. When the home, church, and school are united under a biblical worldview, the child receives a consistent message of truth.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

A child surrounded by such a village has multiple reinforcements to strengthen their walk with Christ.

A Call to Build the Village

Here are ways parents can intentionally find and build a village to help disciple their children:

● Prioritize Christian Community – Regularly gather with believers for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Show children that the church is family.

● Seek Godly Mentors – Invite trusted adults into your child’s life who will speak biblical truth and model Christlikeness.

● Unite Church and Home – Discuss at home what is being taught at church and in school. Reinforce it around the family table.

● Protect Against False Villages – Be intentional about peers, media, education, and influences. Not every community is rooted in truth—choose wisely.

Discipleship of the next generation is too great a task to be carried by parents alone. God designed an intentional, truth-rooted village to surround children and youth with consistent, Christ-centered influence. Parents are responsible for laying the foundation, but the village can either strengthen or crack that foundation.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors all have a role to play in raising a generation grounded in truth. Let us build intentional villages, rooted in God’s Word, to disciple the next generation to bring God glory.

Become a 2-Year Partner

One of the greatest responsibilities given to parents is the discipleship of their children. From a biblical worldview, the task of shaping the faith, values, and worldview of the next generation belongs first and foremost to the home. While the church and Christian schools are valuable partners, Scripture makes it clear that parents are God’s primary means of passing truth from one generation to the next. The table is the place where families gather to eat, talk, pray, and reflect. It is one of the most powerful—and yet often overlooked—centers for discipleship.

Parents: The First Disciplers

The Word of God emphasizes the parent’s responsibility in discipleship:

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

The picture here is not one of occasional instruction but of a lifestyle of discipleship. Every moment, every setting—and especially the daily rhythms of life—offers opportunities for parents to build a child’s foundation.

Barna Research highlights that nearly 64% of young adults who grew up in church leave the faith after high school, often because their faith was never deeply rooted at home, around the table. A Sunday morning service alone cannot disciple a child. God designed discipleship to flow most naturally from parent to child, in the context of everyday life.

The Table: A Place for Discipleship

Throughout history, the table has been more than a place to eat. It has been the hub of conversation, instruction, and spiritual shaping. Studies on family dynamics show that families who regularly share meals together report higher emotional health, stronger communication, and deeper bonds of trust. More importantly, the table provides a natural opportunity for parents to teach God’s Word, apply biblical principles, and listen to the hearts of their children.

Jesus Himself modeled this. Many of His most profound teachings were given while breaking bread with His disciples (Luke 24:30–32). The table becomes not only a place of nourishment for the body but also of nourishment for the soul.

Kingdom Education: Order is Essential

Kingdom Education teaches that the primary responsibility of educating and discipling children rests with parents—and that this must be done according to God’s Word. Children are given as a blessing and heritage to parents. God’s advancement of truth in society was designed to flow out of the family, and that foundation was meant to begin around the table.

Churches and schools should only serve as reinforcements, not replacements, of this God-given mandate. Psalm 78:4 captures this vision: We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Discipleship of the next generation requires intentional, biblical training that connects faith to every area of life. From academics to relationships, culture, and personal decisions, parents must see themselves as the front-line disciplers, ensuring that their children not only know Scripture but learn to think and live through the lens of a biblical worldview.

Order is essential, and God gave children to parents—therefore, making them the first and primary disciplers.

A Call to Parents

If we are to raise a generation who will stand firm in truth, discipleship must begin not with a program, but with parents leading their homes. Here are practical ways this can happen at the family table:

● Read Scripture Together – Begin or end meals with a passage from God’s Word. Discuss what it means and how it applies to daily life.

● Pray as a Family – Let children hear parents pray—not only for needs but in thanksgiving and worship.

● Discuss Worldview Issues – Talk about what children hear at school, in media, or from friends, and measure it against Scripture.

● Model Faith – Children learn more from what they see than from what they are told. Parents who live out their faith daily make the strongest impression.

The future of the church and culture depends on the discipleship of the next generation. God has given parents—not pastors, not teachers—the primary role in this calling. The table is where discipleship takes root, where hearts are shaped, and where a biblical worldview is formed.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Parents, the call is clear: take your place as the number one discipler of your children, and reclaim the table as the most valuable place of discipleship.

I think most of us would agree that many of the things we do each day are in preparation for things we hope to see in the future.  We plan for a trip now, which we plan to take months from now.  We put money away now, for retirement that may be many years from now. We send our kids to Christian schools now in hopes that it will put them on better footing years from now.  

The question is, when it comes to Chrisian school athletics, where do we want to see our athletes in 20-30 years from now? 

I am sure we want to see them:

• Setting an example in “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity”.- I Timothy 4:12
• Having “speech that is seasoned with salt, so they know how to respond to every person”.– Colossians 4:6
• Living “sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age.” – Titus 2:12
• Living “the rest of their time in the flesh no longer for the lust of the flesh but for the will of God”.- I Peter 4:2 

If these are some of the things we want from our student athletes, there is no better time like the present to prepare our athletes for living for Christ in this life and all eternity.  As Scripture states:

“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.”                           

(2 Corinthians 6:2)

“Wake up and strengthen the things that remain…”                                                       

 (Revelation 3:2)

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

(Galatians 6:9)

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today.”         

(Hebrews 3:13)

Back to the question of where we want to see our athletes in the future? Some answers might be:

• To be increasing in the knowledge of God
• To know God’s calling and purpose in their lives and living it out
• To be active and committed member in the local body of believers
• To bear fruit for Christ
• To be walking closely with the Lord, walking as He walked
• To be loving husbands, wives, fathers and mothers
• To be leading in the career field God has prepared them for, having dominion for the glory of God

If those are just a few of the things we want to see for our student-athletes, then we must now be:

• Teaching them all that God has commanded
• Maximizing opportunities, on and off the field to seeing them growing in knowledge of the Lord
• Giving them opportunity to lead
• Modeling proper attitudes and work ethic
• Encouraging them by developing their God-given talents for God’s glory, not selfish gain
• Model and provide them opportunity to use their gifts and talents
• Helping them to understand the order of God, family, church, and life

Scripture is clear that God has created us to have dominion, rule over, and do a good work as unto the Lord.  When schools and coaches utilize the platform of athletics to prepare student-athletes to live for Christ now and forever, there is a much better chance for gaining the victory for eternity and maybe even in Friday night’s game.  

A question we must ask ourselves as Christian school leaders is, how does athletics fit into the overall purpose of a Christian school? To get to that answer, we need to know what is the purpose of athletics in a Christian school?

A few possible answers to that questions are:

• Build life-long, Christ-like character
• Grow in the knowledge of God
• Equip athletes for service and God’s calling in their lives
• Evangelize the lost
• Strengthen and enhance talents and abilities

If these are anywhere near accurate, then school leaders must ask themselves are we anywhere near accomplishing these goals in the life of our schools?

A good friend of mine always says, “Culture is created wherever you are”. Meaning, you contribute to the culture and depending on the amount of influence you have, you can develop and maintain the culture you want in the life of your school.  

If that is the case, how do we build and maintain a culture in our athletic programs that is positive and honors Christ first and foremost?

• Make sure there is an appropriate balance for athletics in the school and that it does not become the end all, or the “tail that wags the dog”.
• Value and honor the role of the home and church
• Model and reinforce the fruit of the spirit 
• Don’t expect from others what you are not modeling yourself
• Watch your tone, attitudes, commitments, and life
• Teach and reinforce positive words and actions
• Emphasize team over individuals 
• Influence the behaviors of others, assuring that Christ is honored in every area
• Practice hard, play hard, have fun

When we understand the overall purpose for athletics and we are committed to Christ and His word, I have no doubt that we will develop and maintain a culture in our athletic programs that utilizes the fun-filled purpose of athletics to prepare athletes for what God is calling them to be and do, for His glory. 

The amount of time we spend on a given task or event can reveal where our heart and allegiance lies. When it comes to athletics, I know of programs where student athletes spend upwards of 30 hours a week preparing for and participating in athletic events.  Why would they do that? Because they want their teams to be at their best so that they can win the game on Friday night.  It is during that same week that the average young person spends very little time, made up of minutes and not hours, preparing to live a victorious life for Christ. The same is true for many of us who give countless hours to improving in our areas of work, while overlooking much needed time in God’s word and with God’s people.  The tendency is to give much of our time on things that are temporal, while neglecting time and attention to those things that are eternal.  

How, in the world of sports that we currently live in, do we make sure we are intentional in discipling young people for Christ through the platform of athletics? If it is going to consume our time, how do we use it for God’s good and glory?

First of all, we need to make sure that our own foundation is set securely in Christ. We need to ask ourselves these questions:

• Are we growing disciples of Christ who can teach our players all that God has commanded us? After all, we can only give that which we possess.  
• Do we have a biblical worldview based on the fear and knowledge of God and obedience to His commandments?
• Are we filled with the Spirit of God and does He guide us in every area of life?
• Do we echo Paul’s sentiments of, “I will most gladly spend and be expended for souls?” 

Second, do we honor the role of parents, encouraging them in Christ and not stealing time away from their God-given responsibility?

Third, do we help influence the schools overall philosophy of athletics, assuring that the school maintains the appropriate balance of home, church, and school?

How can schools and coaches better disciple athletes through our athletic programs?

• Continue building each other up in Christ through team devotions, times of prayer, and shared testimonies
• Communicate and model the importance of the local church and the home
• Communicate and model appropriate attitudes and usage of time, talents, and resources
• Allow student athletes the opportunity to lead out in devotions and with team responsibilities
• Maximize teaching opportunities both as a team and individually
• Make the most of every practice and game situation to teach and reinforce biblical principles 
• Be intentional in building unity amongst the team and with opponents

Here is what we must understand. The enemy will be very intentional in trying to capture the attention of young people through athletics, reinforcing his thought process that this life is all about us and not Christ.  Christian schools must, therefore, be exceedingly more intentional in making sure they use every aspect of the school to reinforce what it looks like to be a passionate follower of Jesus Christ.  

Like Paul said to the church in Ephesus, “Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” 

When I was a child, the world of sports looked very different then it does today. Back then, I don’t recall teams practicing or playing games on Sunday and sports did not dominate the lives of most families.  However, today we see most weekends are packed full of sporting events and it is not uncommon for young people to be practicing, training, and playing games for hours and hours each week.  In addition to this, the culture of athletics has increasingly become more competitive and consuming of our time, money, and attention.  

The question is, how do Christian schools respond in a world that many times demonstrates an unhealthy focus on sports?  What truly makes Christian school athletic programs, Christian? Is it because they pray before a game, have a devotion at practice, or have a verse on the gym wall that says, “we do all for the glory of God”? 

I think we would agree that there is nothing wrong with those things, yet, I would not necessarily say those are what makes Christian school athletics, “Christian”.  Those can happen, at times, without coaches, teams, and fans truly being committed to and looking like Christ.

Scripture sometimes uses comparisons to athletics to make a biblical point, and there are plenty of principles discussed in Scripture that would apply to the world of sports:

“Run in such a way as to get the prize…goes into strict training…to get a crown that will last forever…I beat my body and make it a slave so that…I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  (I Corinthians 9:24-27)

“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)

“Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (II Timothy 2:5)

There are also plenty of verses that deal with submitting to authority, not being selfish, not wanting to see an enemy fall, doing everything in love, living a life worthy of the Lord, and so much more.  All of these verses help give us a good idea of what would make our athletic programs truly “Christian”.  But at the very heart I believe it comes down to this; does Christ have total reign of the school’s athletic program? What does the reign of Christ look like in a Christian school’s athletic program?

Here are a few questions we need to ask as we determine who reigns over the athletic programs in Christian schools across the country:

Do Christian school athletic programs teach and model the biblical principles of diligence, humility, gentleness, mercy, self-control, compassion, respect, obedience, endurance, discernment, and more?

Are the biblical standards regarding our attitudes, submission to authority, love, and unity modeled and upheld?

Do we determine a “winning” season by the scoreboard or by our excellence and commitment to Christ? After all, we see in Scripture that not everyone following Christ looked like a winner according to the world’s standard.

Is it communicated and clear that our athletic programs truly do exist for God’s glory?  Is it our desire that He would be the heavyweight and get the attention, and not we ourselves?

In today’s world of ego, money, fame, and misplaced time and attention, the Christian school’s athletic program must stand out as lights and prepare students for what true victory and impact for Christ looks like! Over the next few weeks, we will talk more about how athletic programs can have a positive impact on the lives of young people and prepare them for what God has in store for their lives.  

As we conclude this series of blogs, I want to leave you with a challenge and some resources. My prayer is that this series has been beneficial.

In today’s digital world, the internet can be both a powerful tool and a dangerous trap. Our children are growing up in an environment where social media, gaming, and instant access to information dominate their daily lives. While technology can be used for good, we as parents and educators must remember that the enemy also uses it to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Protecting our children’s online presence is not optional it is part of our responsibility to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Biblical Mandate for Protection

God’s Word reminds us that parents are the primary disciplers of their children. Proverbs 22:6 instructs: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Training requires intentional guidance, not passive allowance. Just as we would not allow strangers to freely walk into our homes and speak to our children, we cannot allow unguarded access to the digital world, where harmful voices and images can influence their hearts and minds.

God’s Word teaches us that truth can only come from God, and that education, both in the classroom and at home, must align with the Word of God. This includes digital discipleship. Helping our children navigate their online presence is not just about safety; it is about shaping their worldview. By guiding them in truth, we equip them to glorify God in every area of life, including how they interact online.

Practical Resources to Help Parents

Thankfully, there are tools that can help families protect and guide their children’s online activity:

● Covenant Eyes – A Christian accountability and filtering software that monitors internet use and sends reports to an accountability partner. Helps families build trust and pursue purity together. (www.covenanteyes.com)

● Bark – Monitors texts, emails, YouTube, and over 30 social media platforms for signs of cyberbullying, predators, and harmful content. Provides parents with alerts and insights. (www.bark.us)

● Qustodio – Offers screen-time management, app blocking, and location tracking. Gives parents a clear overview of their child’s digital activity. (www.qustodio.com)

● Net Nanny – Known for its powerful internet filtering and real-time alerts. Helps families block pornography and set healthy digital boundaries. (www.netnanny.com)

● Accountable2You – A Christ-centered monitoring app that provides accountability by reporting online activity to trusted partners. Excellent for family discipleship. (www.accountable2you.com)

Google Family Link & Apple Screen Time – Free built-in tools that allow parents to set app limits, manage device use, and restrict access to explicit content. (Google Family Link | Apple Screen Time)

Family Discipleship Practices

● Keep devices in common areas, not bedrooms. This includes cell phones, gaming devices, computers, and TVs. If you have a two-story house, monitor where devices can go.

● Establish “screen-free” times, such as meals or family game nights.

● Set limits on apps and even downtime hours when the device cannot be used.

● Control web browsing through creating Wi-Fi that has advanced filters.

● Model godly behavior by showing restraint and wisdom in your own online use.

Teach children to measure every message, image, or influence by God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 reminds us: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Heart Transformation, Not Behavior Control

While apps and filters are helpful, the ultimate goal is not merely controlling behavior but shepherding the heart. If we do not disciple our children biblically, the world will disciple them digitally. Parents must model purity, self-control, and discernment so their children can see Christlike wisdom in action.

Final Encouragement

The digital world is here to stay, but with God’s wisdom, parents can lead their children to use it for His glory. Remember the promise of Isaiah 54:13: “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” As we raise up the next generation, may we be diligent in guarding the hearts and minds of our children, raising up a generation that shines the light of Christ… even in the online world.