Spiritual Children

Of course, John was talking about his spiritual family. 

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth…that we may be fellow workers for the truth,” (3 John v4, 8b).

But I also know what it’s like to experience this joy within and through the kids under my own roof as well. In fact, the only greater joy in regards to John’s claim above might be discipling my own kids in the way of Jesus, watching as they connect to him through the Holy Spirit and ultimately God the Father.

Intentionally discipling our kids in and through the expanse of the Scriptures, as Truth interconnects them with the world at large, is ground zero for pastors, parents, and parishioners. But it doesn’t stop there, does it? John goes on to acknowledge the second half of his experiential joy—the work.

What begins in faith, moves into practice. Like John, we eventually send them off, entrusting them with the truth, supporting them, praying for and with them, and even working alongside them in deeper and grittier ways as they discover and develop their own disciplemaking rhythm of life as “fellow workers for the truth.”

John was right to celebrate the growth of Jesus’ incomparable kingdom family. Let’s all get in on that action. But let’s not be so focused on expanding the kingdom beyond the walls of our homes that we fail to raise our own kids in the way God would have them go.

Q. What specific disciplemaking practices have you built into your daily/weekly family rhythm?

Q. Who are you accountable to beyond your wife and kids? What I mean is, who really knows what your personal family spiritual rhythm is like besides you and your family? If we really are “working together for the truth,” (v8b NIV) are they allowed to challenge and rebuke you?

Q. What are you asking others to do in your local church that you aren’t doing under the roof of your own home? What will you do about that?

Let’s build up and send off our kids in a manner worthy of “the Name,” (v7).