DiscipleshipCurriculum RaisingDisciples - Flipbook - Page 26
WEEK 3
The Discipleship Map
Which leg of the discipleship journey causes you the most concern? Why?
How does having a map and description of what should be the focus for each age and
stage of your child’s development benefit your approach to their discipleship?
REFLECTION ACTIVITY
Ask each member to review the discipleship map and reflect on the following:
Is there a stage of my child’s development in which I need to better understand their
cognitive growth or encourage them in their growth?
Is there a behavior my child is exhibiting regularly that I need to understand and identify
the reasons behind?
Is there a stage of my child’s development in which I need to better understand their
emotional and social needs and changes?
Encourage the group members who answered yes to seek answers or advice from
someone who can help them understand their child (e.g., school teacher or administrator,
professional counselor, mentor, or child-development resource.)
Say, “Though the author has provided this discipleship map, she acknowledges that
‘discipleship is not like a factory in which we place an infant on the assembly line of
education…each child is uniquely created in God’s image and is on his or her own journey
toward Christ.” (pp 36-37). Additionally, she encourages us to ‘trust that as you and your
child journey along the discipleship map, you are partnering with the Holy Spirit’ (Raising
Disciples, 37).
How do these reminders encourage you about the discipleship journey of the children in
your home (or others that you know)?
Make a Plan to Act
Say, “The author concludes this chapter with the challenge to parents and ministry leaders
alike: ‘A child [needs] to develop their own faith rather than adopting the faith of their parents
or other influential individuals’ (Raising Disciples, 37).”
Reflect on that statement and consider these questions:
How am I actively guiding my child to follow Jesus rather than myself or my faith?
Say, “The author concludes this chapter with this reminder to every follower of Jesus:
‘Discipleship is a lifelong journey. Along the way, a child continues to mature in her beliefs,
deepen in her understandings, and grow in her commitments’ (Raising Disciples, 38).”
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