Training kids to be lifelong followers of Jesus can feel like an uphill battle. As children’s ministry leaders, we know the biblical mandate from Deuteronomy 6:5–9, which calls parents to impress God’s Word on their children in everyday life. Yet, many parents feel more comfortable leaving this responsibility to the church, which can lead to frustration, hinder ministry fruitfulness, and limit spiritual growth.
To bridge this gap, we must remind ourselves of simple truths and make strategic pivots that reduce frustration, encourage parents, and help families grow in their faith as they become the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities.
Things to Remember About Our Ministry
With the time and effort we invest in children’s ministry, it’s easy to see it as our own. We choose the curriculum, plan events, and train teams. But the ministry belongs to God—He’s entrusted it to us. It’s not solely our job to convince parents to disciple their kids—that’s God’s work. We can trust that He knows our church, ministry, families, and community intimately and has a Kingdom answer for every concern we bring to Him.
When we surrender control and let God lead, He works in supernatural ways, guiding both our ministry teams and families to thrive spiritually. Holding our ministry with open hands allows God to move powerfully.
Things to Remember About Parents
Parents are conditioned to trust experts with their children—doctors for health, coaches for sports, and teachers for education—so it’s natural they look to the church for spiritual guidance. Society often tells parents they aren’t enough, and many feel overwhelmed at the thought of discipling their kids. Many struggle with their own faith and worry they don’t know Scripture well enough to teach it.
Our role is to walk alongside parents and build their confidence as spiritual leaders, equipping them step by step. We must encourage them to embrace growth despite the awkwardness and trust that God’s grace will cover their efforts.
Equipping Parents to Disciple With Confidence and Excellence
Discipling kids is not about checking boxes but about living from the overflow of God’s work in our own lives. God’s grace is sufficient, and parents don’t have to have all the answers. Embrace growing pains as a sign of progress and focus on building genuine relationships—with God and with their children.
Encourage parents to weave faith into everyday life by inviting God into everyday moments. Help them see that discipleship is a privilege, not a duty. Support them in fostering a family culture where faith naturally grows through simple, consistent practices.
A New Approach to Child Discipleship
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to equipping parents as spiritual leaders. However, we can create a ministry strategy that meets parents where they are to help them see their potential and give them courage to take the next step. The steps include (but aren’t necessarily limited to):
- Help parents recognize how God is at work in their lives.
- Encourage relational growth with God and their kids.
- Show parents how to invite God into daily life.
- Create opportunities for the family to learn and grow together.
- Focus on one simple discipleship habit each month (like mealtime prayers) and provide practical tips.
- Facilitate connection with other families.
- Encourage parents to live their faith openly.
- Equip parents to mentor others to be spiritual leaders.
Practical Application
- Fast and Pray: Trust that God knows the plans He has for your church and your congregation. Allow Him to show you what’s working and where new strategies can empower parents to lead spiritually.
- Try New Things: Foster a ministry culture that embraces innovation and transparency. Share goals openly with your team and families and welcome feedback. Not every idea will work, but being in motion allows God to guide you.
- Be Relentless: Stay committed, even when challenges arise. Remember that God’s answer is coming, even if it doesn’t come perfectly packaged. The journey will require sacrifice, but it will be worth it.
Conclusion
Empowering parents to become spiritual leaders takes dedication and perseverance. It’s not about having the perfect strategy or all the answers—it’s about trusting God and remaining committed to the vision He’s given you. As ministry leaders, we have the privilege of walking alongside families, encouraging them to grow in faith, and guiding their children toward Jesus. Let’s stay open, prayerful, and persistent, knowing God is working through us to shape the next generation.
