My greatest desire as a parent is that my children will love YHVH and walk in His ways all the days of their life.
These are 5 guiding Scriptures that have greatly influenced my understanding of how to disciple children biblically.
How to Disciple Your Children Biblically
1. Study the Scriptures
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15, KJV
In our family, it is important that my children not only hear Bible stories and discuss the Scriptures, but that they are actively engaged in Bible study.
I am making an intentional effort to teach my children what it means and how to cross reference Scripture, compile lists of Scriptures all about one topic or in answer to one question, word study, verse map, and the like.
Our family has also recently begun studying the Hebrew language, which has allowed us to begin reading the Scriptures in their original language and catching connections between some words.
I do not hold all the answers or the Words of life— but the Scriptures do! I am teaching my children how to find those answers and receive the Words of life for themselves!
I share more about how I personally Bible study in this video:
2. Memorize the Scriptures
And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Yeshua.
2 Timothy 3:15
I was a child when I first began memorizing Scripture, and let me tell you that there is power in the Word of God, and His Word hidden in our hearts does not come back void.
Knowing what a transformation His Word has worked in my life, I am incredibly intentional about memorizing Scripture with my children.
I want them to know the Scriptures, to be wise to salvation through faith in Yeshua, and to be equipped to face fear, temptation, and sin with the Word of God!
Here’s a video sharing how I memorize Scripture with my children:
3. Involve In the Walk
Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear YHVH your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear YHVH your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13
Following YHVH is very much an actionable walk— not just a mindset shift or some intangible spiritual understanding.
YHVH’s Word transforms our lifestyle, and so I disciple my children by involving them in that lifestyle and letting them contribute to it!
For example, six days we work as a family and prepare for the Sabbath, and so when the seventh day comes, the whole family experiences its rest. My children look forward to preparing for our Erev Shabbat party, preparing foods and setting the table in a festive way. The seventh day is tangibly different to my children from all the other days of the week.
Whether its preparing for a feast, tying tzitzit, preparing Biblically clean food, or any other aspect of a Biblical lifestyle, I disciple my children by involving them in this actionable walk of faith!
4. Model the Walk
We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of YHVH, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
Psalms 78:4-8
“They” say that parents who read at home have children who become readers.
Likewise, parents who live out the Scriptures, whose favorite discussion topic is YHVH, who sing His praises all day long, and who otherwise live and breathe and move through the power of Yeshua will have children doing the same!
As parents, it is critical that we model what this joyful walk of faith looks like at home. Modeling a relationship with YHVH goes beyond being “generally good” people and hearing the Word at Shabbat services ourselves.
To disciple our children Biblically, they need to see that we are doers of the Word— not hearers, only. We bridle our tongue. We love our neighbor. We study the Word. We live the Word.
Our children will see that, though we are yet human with fault, we are authentic and genuine in our pursuit of Truth and the Most High. That’s a powerful witness.
Here’s a video showing how I verse map when I want to go in depth on particular Scriptures:
5. Sharpen with Truth
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
The Hebrew word to “teach” (h8150) is literally the English word “sharpen” or “to whet,” like an arrow before use in battle.
We are to sharpen our children with the Words of YHVH, so that when they hear unGodliness, foolishness, or error, they are able to discern what is Truth, wise, and right.
I teach my children “what the world says,” so that I can also teach them “what the Word says” in response.
In our family, we do not shy away from the difficult passages of Scripture or the sensitive topics of our times. (Certainly, we exercise wisdom when determining the depth and language of conversation, depending on the age and maturity of our children.)
Instead, we approach these topics apologetically and try to instill in our children understanding of the matter.
We will discuss common misconceptions regarding the Scriptures and give our children the Scriptural reasons why we understand the Scriptures the way we do.
We will discuss the controversial cultural norms of our day and help our children to understand why and how these norms are right or wrong or a intermingling of the two.
We want our children to be on guard with the Truth!
In Conclusion
I hope these 5 Scriptures have provided some guidance, or at least confirmation, of how to disciple your children Biblically!
May YHVH bless you and your families!
Shalom!
Raquel
Women Living Torah 