Family Disciple-Making

Parents are certain about two things: 1) raising children is a massive responsibility, and 2) it takes an unbelievable amount of effort. If we are honest, most of us enter into parenting feeling uninformed and ill-equipped—uninformed about what we’re really trying to accomplish in raising our children and ill-equipped with the resources to undertake that task effectively. This E4 Study will examine God’s design for the family structure as found in the Bible and show that His word also contains the tools we need to be effective in the great work of discipling our families into fully mature reflections of Jesus.

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

This session will introduce the concepts we will interact with throughout the remainder of this study. We will explore some of the common fears and emotions associated with parenting and offer some guiding thoughts as we begin this journey together.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 1 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Purchase Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof online and read Chapter 2. Memorize Ephesians 6:1-4.

SESSION 2: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS & THE BIBLE – PART 1

An exploration of some considerations for family discipleship found in The Shema (which means “to listen” or “to obey”). This Old Testament text will help uncover key aspects of God’s vision for healthy and effective parenting.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 2 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 3 and 8 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Watch The Shema Word Study video from The Bible Project at the following link: The Bible Project. Memorize Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

SESSION 3: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS & THE BIBLE – PART 2

A continued exploration of some considerations for family discipleship found in The Shema (meaning “to listen” or “to obey”). We will again examine this Old Testament text and further point to God’s vision for healthy and effective parenting.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 3 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 4 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity.

SESSION 4: TRAINING FOR MATURITY

This session demonstrates that parenting is truly the outworking of discipleship. We will also discuss how preparing children for maturity is a part of God’s original design for human beings and how God equips us to participate in this goal.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 4 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 7 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Memorize Proverbs 22:6 & 29:18.

SESSION 5: LEVERAGING TIME – TRADITIONS

Moving from an “overtime” mentality in parenting to an “over-time” approach is a subtle shift that has great potential for return on investment in discipling the family. This session will look to define these two (2) approaches and articulate the benefits of this thoroughly biblical paradigm shift.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 5 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 3 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Memorize 2 Peter 1:12-13.

SESSION 6: LEVERAGING TIME – STRUCTURE

Our focus in this session will be on the importance of putting faith in Christ into action as a family—learning what it means to be on mission for Christ together as we serve others in our community and world.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 5 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity.  Memorize Philippians 2:7-9 and Mark 10:42-45.

SESSION 7: CHURCH & PARENTS IN PARTNERSHIP

We will conclude our study by examining the ideal function of the local church as it partners with parents in discipling the family.  This exploration will begin with vision of the church as the household of God and then look to apply that portrait to unique family contexts.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 7 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 1 of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Memorize Ephesians 2:19-22.

CHECK OUT MORE E4 STUDIES