Who Do You Disciple? Start at Home

Before you disciple strangers, are you discipling your household?

Husbands: Disciple Your Wife

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word.

— Ephesians 5:25–26 (NET)

Your job as a husband isn't just to provide financially. You're called to lead your wife spiritually — to help her grow in Christ. What this looks like: pray together daily, even briefly; read Scripture together (pick a book, read a chapter, discuss); initiate spiritual conversations ("What's God teaching you?" "How can I pray for you?"); model repentance (when you sin, confess to her — she needs to see your humility); serve her (wash dishes, put kids to bed, give her time to rest and be with God).

Parents: Disciple Your Children

These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up.

— Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NET)

Your children are your primary disciples — not the church's responsibility, not the school's, yours. Family worship (daily or weekly — sing, pray, read Scripture together). Teachable moments (when you see a sunset: "Who made that?" When they sin: "Why is lying wrong? What does God say?"). Model faith (they need to see you pray when you're stressed, confess when you're wrong, trust God when money's tight). Talk about God constantly — at meals, in the car, at bedtime.

Adult Children Who Don't Know Christ

Many Boomers raised children who are now agnostic or atheist. Don't give up. Pray daily by name, specifically, persistently. Live the gospel in front of them — they need to see your repentance more than your perfection. Don't nag (constant preaching pushes them away). Be available — when they're in crisis, be the first one they call. Support them materially if needed. Apologize for your failures if you failed them as a parent — humility is powerful.

A father named Tom had a daughter, Emily, who left the faith at 18, moved in with her boyfriend, and cut off contact for five years. Tom prayed for her every single day, sent birthday and Christmas cards (no sermons, just "I love you"), never cut her off financially, and when she called in crisis, he drove three hours to be with her. At 28, Emily returned to Christ. She said, "You never gave up on me. Even when I hated you, you loved me. That's what brought me back." Some seeds take decades to sprout. Don't stop planting.