This post is Part 2 of a two-part series on modeling a relationship with Christ as one way to teach your children to become a Christ-follower. You can read the first part here.
In my last post I talked about the idea of modeling as a part of the discipleship process of your kids as talked about by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin in their book Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments, & Milestones. It is vitally important to intentionally teach the Bible to our kids and what it means to be a follower of Jesus, but living a life as a Christ-follower, setting an example to follow, is equally as important in helping kids become disciples of Jesus. It shouldn't be one or the other, but both together.
Chandler and Griffin write that there are two key components of modeling:
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Be Reliable: Have repentant integrity.
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Be Relatable: Have relational proximity.
Be Reliable
Being reliable is all about being a person of integrity. We are called to be trustworthy, righteous, and repentant. These traits are not to be a show that is put on when your kids are around. They are to be traits that mark who you are as a Christ-follower. If these are traits that mark your life and who you are, they will naturally come out of you and be seen by your kids. If they see these things, they will become normal to them and they will emulate these same things in their life.
Chandler and Griffin write,
If there is something that you would like to see formed in your children, pray that it would be formed in you to model for them. Be a reliable source of living knowledge concerning godliness. (p. 67)
Be Relatable
Being relatable is all about living your life and being close with those that you are discipling. This requires you to have a close and loving relationship with your kids. This will allow them a front-row seat to witnessing how you are living your life. If you are living a life where Jesus is Lord, they will be able to see it in all aspects. They will also see your failures, but it allows them to learn true confession, repentance, and reconciliation.
Chandler and Griffin write,
"Live your life with your kids purposefully nearby. Quality proximity is paramount to your effectiveness as a discipling parent." (p. 69)
If we prove ourselves to be both reliable and relatable to our kids, we will have a lasting impact on our kids. They need to know and hear the gospel, but in order to learn it and completely understand its implications, we need to model it for them.
My prayer is that you will grow in your walk with Christ as He leads you through your own faith journey and that your kids will grow as they have a front-row seat to your life's witness. My prayer is also that as you engage with the faith family at Berean that we will provide a plethora of people modeling what it looks like to live a life in Christ as well. Together we can have a greater impact on helping the younger generation on their faith journey.