Let’s clear the air: you don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t need a seminary degree. You don’t need to lead nightly devotionals that rival a sermon. But if you care about the faith of the next generation, whether you’re a dad, mom, grandparent, mentor, or ministry leader, then you’re exactly who God had in mind for generational discipleship.
Here’s the tension: most of us feel like we’re not doing enough. And maybe, in some ways, that’s true. But don’t miss this, God never asked you to be enough. He asked you to be faithful.
At D6, we like to say:
“We do the possible and trust God with the impossible.”
That’s the secret. You don’t carry the weight of the entire spiritual journey—just the part God put in your hands.
What Is Generational Discipleship, Really?
It’s not just a buzzword. It’s a biblical blueprint.
Discipleship isn’t just what happens at church on Sunday, it’s how we live out our faith Monday through Saturday. Generational discipleship is that same faith, passed down, lived out, talked through, and modeled in our homes and relationships. It’s what Moses laid out in Deuteronomy 6:7: “You shall teach them diligently to your children… talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (ESV).
This isn’t a classroom lesson. It’s a lifestyle. A rhythm. A relational strategy that’s less about having the perfect curriculum, and more about showing up, authentically, in everyday moments.
Our culture doesn’t drift toward God. If we’re not intentional, our families won’t drift toward Him either.
Why You Matter in the Story
God has a multigenerational view of the world. We tend to focus on today’s crisis. He’s thinking about your son’s son. Your daughter’s daughter. He’s building something eternal, and He’s using people like you to do it.
You don’t have to lead a revival. But you do need to:
- Start the conversation, even if it feels awkward.
- Admit weakness, and point your family to Christ’s strength.
- Watch for teachable moments (they’re everywhere).
- Be the one who says, “Let’s pray about that.”
We’re not called to be experts. We’re called to be examples.
3 Simple Moves That Make a Massive Impact
So what does generational discipleship look like in real life? Here are three strategic shifts anyone can make—starting today.
1. Teach what matters most.
Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need a theology degree to open the Bible and say, “Here’s what God is showing me.” Start small. Be consistent. Let your family see your walk with Christ in real time.
2. Talk like it’s normal.
Make faith part of your everyday conversations, around the dinner table, in the car, during bedtime. Ask questions that matter. “What do you think God is teaching you lately?” “Where did you see His kindness today?”
The key? Don’t make it intimidating. Make it invitational.
3. Show up and stay steady.
Our homes are watching. So are our churches. When we model real faith—not flawless faith—we help others follow Jesus in a way that’s honest, steady, and strong.
What’s at Stake?
Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. The world is more than willing to shape your children’s worldview. If we’re passive, we’re not neutral, we’re just late to the conversation.
But when we live and lead with intention—teaching, talking, and showing—we plant seeds that multiply far beyond our lifetime.
Like Deuteronomy 6:20 says:
“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of all this?’… then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out…’”
Translation? Your story matters. And the next generation needs to hear it.
Tools to Help You Lead
You don’t have to make this up as you go. That’s why D6 created resources like Devotional Study Guides, designed to help you engage with God’s Word and have conversations around it. Whether you’re sitting in the house, walking along the way, or winding down for bed, there’s a tool for that.
And it’s not just about consuming truth; it’s about living it out together. Every day. Every generation.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to be a spiritual superhero. You just need to lead with what you have.
God didn’t design the family as a last resort for discipleship. He designed it as the front line.
So here’s your challenge:
Don’t wait for someone more polished, more professional, or more “qualified.” The next generation is looking at you.
Be present. Be intentional. Be a generational disciplemaker.
Because the legacy of faith isn’t just something we leave behind—it’s something we live out, right now.
Let’s start today.
👉 Check out our Devotional Study Guides or email us at wecanhelp@d6family.com for a free sample.
You’re not in this alone. We’re in your corner. And God is already at work.
