Discipleship at Home
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
This morning, we continue our "Following Jesus" series with a message titled "Discipleship at Home." When we think of discipleship, we often imagine Bible studies, church groups, or Sunday School. And those are vital. But the Bible paints a much broader—and more personal—picture.
Discipleship is not something reserved for church walls. It begins in living rooms, at kitchen tables, in minivans, during bedtime prayers, and through everyday moments. It begins in the home.
As we look at Deuteronomy 6:4–9—known as the Shema—we find God's blueprint for making disciples in the context of family. The word "Shema" itself means "hear" in Hebrew, and it represents one of the most foundational texts in Scripture—one Jesus himself would have recited twice daily growing up. Let's read together.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Hear His Supremacy
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
The first word of this passage is Shema—"Hear." But in Hebrew, "hearing" isn't passive. It means to listen with the intent to obey. This wasn't just a theological statement for ancient Israel—it was identity formation. Observant Jews in Jesus' day and even today recite these words twice daily—upon waking and before sleeping. This practice wasn't merely routine; it was a constant reminder of who they are and whose they are.
This verse is a bold declaration in the face of a polytheistic world: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. Not many gods. Not a distant god. Not one among many. He alone is God, and He is ours.
This connects beautifully to Joshua's famous declaration in Joshua 24:15: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua understood that faith begins with a family's commitment to God's supremacy in their home.
Families must begin discipleship by recognizing who God is—supreme, sovereign, and singular. If we want our children to walk with Jesus, they must first understand who He is: not just a good teacher, but the living God.
Application: What does your family “hear” the most? Is your home filled with the noise of the world—news, stress, compaints—or is there space to hear the voice of God
Consider establishing a "listening time" in your home—even just 5 minutes—where devices are off, voices are quiet, and you create space to hear God together. Perhaps light a candle as a visual reminder that God is present.
For those who don't have children at home or are single, remember that spiritual "households" extend beyond blood relations. Who looks to you as a spiritual influence? How are you creating space for them to hear God's voice through your life?
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
This is the great commandment—quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37 as the foundation of all obedience. But what kind of love is this?
The Hebrew word for "love" (ahav) isn't just emotional—it's covenantal. It's active, loyal, committed. It's a love that says: "Whatever You say, I will do. Wherever You lead, I will follow."
Heart (levav): your mind, will, and emotions.
Soul (nephesh): your whole life, your very being.
Strength (me'od): literally "muchness"—your energy, your resources, your everything.
This love flows from God's prior love for us. In the context of Deuteronomy, God had just delivered Israel from slavery. Their love was a response to His redemption. Similarly, our family discipleship isn't primarily about behavior modification—it's about helping our families respond to God's prior love in Christ.
Application: Your kids will learn what matters most not by what you say, but by what you love. If they see that your heart beats for God—when you’re frustrated, when you’re celebrating, when you’re resting—they will learn that lvoing God is not just for Sunday. It’s for life.
Let them see you pray. Let them see you repent. Let them see joy in serving God.
A pastor friend once told me, "My children may forget what I taught them, but they'll never forget what moved me to tears, what made me laugh, and what I was willing to sacrifice for." What are you demonstrating through your affections?
3. Instill His Word
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Notice the order here—first in your heart, then teach your children. We cannot impart what we do not possess.
The word "diligently" in Hebrew (shanan) means to sharpen. Like sharpening a blade over and over. Teaching children the ways of God isn't a one-time event—it's repetition, day after day.
And how? "Talk of them when you sit...when you walk...when you lie down...when you rise up."
This is the rhythm of everyday life. Discipleship happens in the ordinary:
Around the dinner table.
Driving to school.
During bedtime routines.
Walking through hard questions.
Laughing together.
Psalm 78:4-7 reinforces this intergenerational mission:
4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children;
6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children,
7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;
Application: Make God’s Word a part of your conversations. Not forced, but woven naturally into life. Point to God when your child is hurt. Praise Him when something goes well. Let your kids ask questions—even the hard ones.
In today's digital world, we might need a "digital Shema"—intentional ways to integrate faith conversations into our technology-saturated lives:
Listen to Scripture or worship music during commutes
Create a family text thread for sharing verses or prayer requests
Use dinner time as a "device-free zone" for spiritual conversations
For intergenerational discipleship, consider how grandparents, godparents, or church family can reinforce faith conversations, especially for single parents, blended families, or homes where one spouse may not share the same faith.
Faith in Crisis: Some of the most powerful teaching moments happen during times of challenge. When your family faces illness, job loss, or other difficulties, these become opportunities to demonstrate faith in action. Children are watching closely not just what we say about God in good times, but how we trust Him in hard times. David reminds us in Psalm 34:18 that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." When we invite our children into our authentic struggles and show them how we depend on God's presence, we're teaching them something textbooks never could.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:4
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Parents, this is your calling—not just to raise good citizens, buth faithful disciples.
4. Introduce Visible Reminders
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
God knew we are forgetful. That’s why He gave Israel physical reminders—symbols on their hands, between their eyes, on their homes.
Jewish families to this day place mezuzahs—small scrolls of Scripture—on their doorposts as a reminder of this very passage. These weren't just decorations; they were tangible reminders that God's Word guides every action (hands), every thought (eyes), and every coming and going (doorposts).
Application: What are the visual reminders of faith in your home? Could children walk through you rhouse and know that Jesus is Lord?
Some ideas:
Scripture art or plaques.
A whiteboard with a verse of the week.
A prayer jar with family prayer requests.
A family mission statement on the wall.
These are more than decorations—they are signposts pointing hearts toward God.
Establish family rituals and rhythms that create space for discipleship:
A weekly Sabbath meal where you light candles and reflect on God's goodness
A monthly service project where you show how faith works through love
Morning or bedtime prayers
These are more than decorations or routines—they are signposts pointing hearts toward God.
5. Create a Legacy of Faith
5. Create a Legacy of Faith
Testimony Time[Share a brief 2-minute testimony from a family in your congregation or a personal example about home discipleship]
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us:
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
This verse isn't a guarantee of our children's salvation—they must each make their own decision to follow Christ. But it does promise that authentic, individualized discipleship creates a pathway of faith that remains influential throughout a person's life.
The Hebrew phrase "in the way he should go" literally suggests "according to his way"—recognizing that each child is uniquely created by God with distinct personalities, gifts, and callings. Family discipleship isn't one-size-fits-all; it's personalized to the hearts God has placed in our care.
The legacy of faith is passed on not just by teaching truths but by modeling them over generations. Paul recognized that Timothy's ministry was built upon the foundation of faith that had been passed down through multiple generations. His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had created a spiritual legacy that equipped Timothy for his calling. Their discipleship wasn't just about Timothy's childhood—it was preparing him for a lifetime of kingdom impact.
What spiritual legacy are you leaving? What will your children, grandchildren, or spiritual children remember about your walk with God? The investment you make now will echo for generations to come.
Gospel Connection: Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Shema
Gospel Connection: Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Shema
Everything in Deuteronomy 6 ultimately points to Jesus. He loved the Father with all His heart, soul, and strength. He taught God's Word perfectly. He lived out daily obedience. And He became the visible reminder of God's presence among us—Immanuel. Jesus Himself grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). He modeled perfect discipleship in the home, not only in the synagogues but in His relationship with Mary and Joseph. In everything, He honored His Father. And just as Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him, He is still inviting families today to follow Him in the rhythms of everyday life.
Where we fail in family discipleship, Christ succeeds. He offers grace for imperfect parents, strength for tired families, and hope for the next generation.
Remember, the goal isn't to raise perfect kids or to be perfect parents. The goal is to point our families to the perfect Savior. When we fail (and we will), we model repentance. When we struggle (and we will), we model dependence. Our families don't need flawless examples—they need authentic faith that points to a flawless Savior.
Conclusion & Challenge
Conclusion & Challenge
Discipleship doesn't start at the pulpit—it starts in the home. You don't need a theology degree to disciple your children. You just need a love for Jesus and a willingness to bring Him into the everyday moments.
So, let me ask you:
What is your family hearing?
What are you modeling in your love for God?
How are you intentionally instilling His Word?
What visual cues in your home point to Him?
Let's not outsource discipleship. Let's own it—right in our living rooms, around our tables, and through our daily routines.
7-Day Family Discipleship Challenge
7-Day Family Discipleship Challenge
This week, I'm challenging every family to try our 7-Day Family Discipleship Challenge. In your bulletin, you'll find a simple guide with one activity for each day this week—nothing complicated, just intentional ways to bring God's Word into your everyday life.
Day 1: Share your faith stories at dinner
Day 2: Pray together about a family concern
Day 3: Memorize one verse together
Day 4: Serve a neighbor together
Day 5: Create a visible faith reminder for your home
Day 6: Have a "no devices" evening of family time
Day 7: Discuss Sunday's sermon together
If you don't have children at home, partner with another family or find someone you can mentor in the faith.
Consider making a commitment with another family or friend to walk through this challenge together, keeping each other accountable. After this week, come back and share how God worked in your family. Discipleship is more powerful when it's done in community.
Remember, discipleship isn't about perfection—it's about direction. Even small steps of faithfulness can leave a lasting impact on the next generation.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Let's pray together:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege of discipling the next generation. We acknowledge that this task can feel overwhelming at times. Many of us feel inadequate, busy, or unsure where to begin. But you have promised to be with us. You've given us your Word, your Spirit, and your church to support us on this journey.
Lord, help us create homes where your name is honored, your Word is treasured, and your love is experienced. When we fail, remind us of your grace. When we're weary, renew our strength. When we're discouraged, show us the eternal impact of our faithful efforts.
For single parents carrying double burdens, give extra grace and strength. For grandparents investing in the next generation, multiply their influence. For parents with prodigals, sustain their hope and prayers.
Lord, we commit to being intentional this week through our Family Discipleship Challenge. Work in our homes in ways that will bear fruit for generations to come. In Jesus' name, Amen.
