“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall 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.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Family Discipleship Plan

Our families are part of God’s perfect design for creation. As parents, we are to impress the commands of God on our children in everyday life as we walk along the road, as we sit at home, when we lie down, and when we get up. (Deuteronomy 11:19.) While this primary responsibility is in our hands as parents, God’s intention is not that we go it alone. The church is meant to partner with parents, serving as “another voice” in the life of our children.

Berean has created a strategy to partner with parents providing for maximum spiritual impact in the life of a child. The Family Ministry Discipleship Plan provides a map for parents to follow in the discipleship process of their child and an avenue for the church to partner with parents.

Download the Family Discipleship Plan

Discipleship Milestones & Celebrations

 Child Dedication

Child Dedication is the first step in discipling your child. During one of our FaithFamily Celebrations, typically within your child’s first 18 months of life, you publicly commit your child to the Lord and devote yourself to being the spiritual leader in your child’s life. 

In turn, the church body promises to partner with you in guiding your child’s faith development. At Berean, we provide training and resources to prepare you as your child’s primary faith trainer.

Core Competencies: Parent as a spiritual leader, trainer, evangelist

Family Celebration: Child Dedication Celebration | Berean performs Child Dedications during our quarterly FaithFamily Celebrations. 

To learn more about Child Dedication, watch THIS video.

Register your child for Dedication

Transit Line: Berean Kids
Child Dedication Celebration:

Child Dedication Celebration PDF

 Faith Commitment

Your child’s response to the gospel for salvation is the “Central Station” on our Family Discipleship map. We partner with and equip you to lead your child toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ – to help your child understand repentance, receive God’s gift of grace, and to follow through with obedience in baptism.

Core Competencies: Jesus, faith/belief, sin, repentance/confession, forgiveness, salvation, eternity, and baptism

Family Celebration: Faith Commitment Family Meal

Transit Lines: Berean Kids, Preteen, Junior High, Senior High
Faith Commitment Celebration:

BK Salvation & Baptism Packet PDF

Faith Commitment Meal PDF

 Faith in Practice

Now your child will learn how to put faith into action. A genuine faith commitment should influence every aspect of life – and we provide you with training and resources to help your child learn to live out this newfound faith and join the mission of the local church. We challenge families to regularly serve God and others together.

Core Competencies: Spiritual gifts, service, the Great Commission, humility/selflessness, the church, missions, prayer, Bible study, and evangelism

Family Celebration: Family Journal

Transit Lines: Berean Kids, Preteen, Junior High, Senior High
Faith in Practice Celebration:

Faith in Practice Family Journal PDF

 Preteen Passage

Between the ages of 10 and 12, kids undergo a lot of physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. As a parent, your task is to prepare your child spiritually, emotionally, and physically for those changes. You’ll teach your child to navigate new realities and thought processes in the context of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We will equip you to discuss topics related to physical changes, current culture, personal identity, and a prevailing faith as you prepare your child for life as a teenager.

Core Competencies: Identity in Christ, spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines, theology, and navigating culture

Family Celebration: Road Trip

Transit Line: Preteen
Preteen Passage Celebration:

Preteen Passage Road Trip PDF

 Commitment to Purity

Today’s culture influences teens to view sex, gender, and relationships in ways that are increasingly counter-biblical. Sexual purity is among the biggest battlefronts in the spiritual growth and maturity of our young people. At Berean, we equip you and provide resources to help you teach your child about accountability, healthy friendships, and biblical standards for purity. We are committed to supporting you in the all-important task of engaging in intentional conversations about these topics and maintaining ongoing dialog.

Core Competencies: Biblical purity, healthy relationships, identity in Christ, biblical sex, dating/marriage, and accountability

Family Celebration: Commitment to Purity Dessert

Transit Lines: Junior High, Senior High
Commitment to Purity Celebration:

Commitment to Purity PDF

 Transition to Adulthood

The Bible commands us to disciple our children to become men and women of God. At Berean, we equip you to prepare your freshman and sophomore students for adulthood through conversation and instruction on issues such as the roles of men and women, Christian ethics and philosophy, and so much more. Berean supports and reinforces the process through our educational ministry. Through this milestone, students will mentally and practically transition from being a child to a maturing young adult within the home.

Core Competencies: Roles of men and women, Christian ethics and philosophy, being a person of influence, life skills, and spiritual leadership

Family Celebration: Rite of Passage Weekend

Transit Line: Senior High
Transition to Adulthood Celebration:

Right of Passage Weekend PDF

 Life in Christ

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. Between the ages of 16 and 18, students must develop the practical and spiritual skills to prepare them to live on their own. As a parent, one of your tasks is to keep the lines of communication open – basic apologetics, determining the will of God, dating, and marriage, life skills, and other biblical issues become the fodder for discussion and instruction. These critical years of discipleship are a chance for parents to shape the faith of their students and set the tone for offering valuable spiritual advice on into adulthood.

Core Competencies: Authentic faith, apologetics, being an obedient follower, being a disciple maker, generous living, community, and autonomy

Family Celebration: Grad Banquet

Transit Line: Senior High
Life in Christ Celebration:

Life in Christ Grad Banquet PDF

Discipleship Plan Resources

Books, blog posts, articles, and other resources to help equip you as you disciple your child.

In conjunction with our physical resource center at each of Berean's campuses, this online resource center features a greater list of suggested reading from our Family Ministry team and insight to help you, no matter what milestone you may be working toward with your child.

General Parenting

  • Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof
  • ApParent Privilege by Steve Wright & Chris Graves
  • Parenting: 14 Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp
  • Gospel-Powered Parenting by William P. Farley
  • Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
  • Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson
  • Total Family Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra

Family Devotionals

  • The Big Picture Interactive Bible Storybook (Lifeway)
  • The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski
  • Long Story Short (Old Testament) by Marty Machowski
  • Old Story New (New Testament) by Marty Machowski

Child Dedication

  • Don't Miss It: Parent Every Week Like It Counts by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy
  • Zero to One by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy
  • One to Two by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy
  • The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible for Toddlers - Old Testament (Lifeway)
  • The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible for Toddlers - New Testament (Lifeway)

Faith Commitment

BK Line

  • Teaching Kids About God by John Trent, Ph.D., Rick Osborne, Kurt Bruner
  • Show Them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids by Jack Klumpenhower

BY Line

  • New Believer's Guide to Effective Christian Living by Greg Laurie

All Lines

  • The Story of God's Love for You by Sally Lloyd-Jones
  • Your Child's Profession of Faith by Dennis Gundersen
  • Total Family Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra
  • Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear

Faith in Practice

All Lines

  • Give Your Child the Word by Jamie C. Martin
  • 801 Questions Kids Ask About God with Answers From the Bible (Focus on the Family)
  • Turning Everyday Conversations Into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins and Steve Wright
  • Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara E. Powell and Dr. Chap Clark
  • Living By the Book by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks

HS Line

  • Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Preteen Passage

  • Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce A. Ware
  • Preparing for Adolescence by Dr. James Dobson
  • Raising a Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis
  • Raising a Modern Day Princess by Pam Farrel and Doreen Hanna

Commitment to Purity

  • Straight Talk With Your Kids About Sex by Josh & Dottie McDowell
  • How to Talk Confidently With Your Child About Sex
  • Every Young Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
  • Every Young Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn

Transition to Adulthood

  • Reason If You Will by Tim Albury
  • Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert
  • Don't Check Your Brains At The Door by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler
  • Visual Theology by Tim Challies and Josh Byers

Life in Christ

For All 

  • The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
  • Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
  • Welcome to College by Jonathan Morrow
  • How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski
  • Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
  • Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
  • Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson
  • Follow Me by David Platt
  • Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler
  • What is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert

For Young Women

  • Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
  • Live – Sadie Robertson Huff
  • Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely – Lysa TerKeurst
  • Breathe – Priscilla Shirer
  • He Calls You Beautiful by Dee Brestin
  • Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
  • Live Fearless – Sadie Robertson Huff
  • Table Life: Savoring the Hospitality of Jesus in Your Home by Joanne Thompson
  • The College Girl’s Survival Guide: 52 Honest, Faith-Filled Answers to Your Biggest Concerns
  • Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Options by Lisa Bevere
  • Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
  • Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow
  • Beginner’s Pluck by Liz Forkin Bohannon
  • Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge
  • Finding I Am by Lysa Terkeurst
  • Hearts of Fire by The Voice of the Martyrs 

Marriage

  • Cherish by Gary Thomas
  • A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas
  • The Mingling of Souls by Matt Chandler
  • For Men Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
  • For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
  • The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy J Keller
  • Love Like You Mean It by Bob Lepine
  • Vertical Marriage by Ann and Dave Wilson

Grandparents

  • Biblical Grandparenting by Josh Mulvihill
  • Grandparenting With A Purpose by Lillian Ann Penner
  • Courageous Grandparenting by Cavin Harper
  • Great Lessons and Grand Blessings by Elmer L. & Ruth Towns

   Resources

 

BK Weekly Update

Wednesday and Sunday Lesson Overviews, BK updates, and calendar events are always available.

Family Ministry Blog

Read inspiration, wisdom, and advice for families written by Berean Family Ministry staff and experts in the field.