Home Discipleship RestartSample

All fruit-bearing plants start as a seed. Those seeds need to be nurtured, watered, and fertilized. After much time, the plants grow and produce fruit, filled with seeds to then be planted and start the cycle anew. Well, if everything goes well, of course. God commanded Adam in the garden to be fruitful and multiply- to take whatever is placed in our hands, care for it, and make it grow. If we look through the Bible, we can plainly see that being fruitful is REALLY important.

Our children are what God has placed in our hands. We have a responsibility to gently lead them and powerfully train them to serve the Lord. We must pay attention to the seeds that God has planted in them to lead, teach, serve, and be all they have been designed to be. We must care for those seeds so they can grow and be fruitful, bringing life to others. How can we effectively nurture our children to be fruitful and multiply? Let’s reflect on these questions:

Am I living out an example of home discipleship? Am I seeking His face and growing in Him? If not, I cannot expect my children to do the same. Plain and simple. For our children to know who God created them to be, they have to know God...and we have to know Him too. 

What are the natural gifts and abilities I see in my child? Not just the whole, “my child is smart, kind, and creative,” but get specific. Do you see leadership qualities? A heart of compassion? Creative expression? Commitment to what they put their hand to? Nurture those qualities and allow opportunities for them to be refined to be used for God.

Where is my child struggling the most? Consider that the areas that bring the most challenge may be world-changing qualities that your children contain. Bring those under submission to the Lord so they can be bent in the right direction towards the Heavenly Father.

How can I effectively prune without destroying? All of our children are delightful, but they are also of sinful nature. They are not going to get it right the majority of the time. This does not disqualify them from their call. The truth in love, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, is one of the most powerful gifts we can give our children so that they can be genuinely fruitful. 

God has a purpose and plan for our children. He will prosper and bless them. When we create an atmosphere in our home where our children can become fruitful and multiply their talents, gifts, and abilities- the world will be forever changed.