Ordinary Rhythms, Eternal Impact
Simple daily moments that disciple our children and shape generations
Having Vision from the Beginning
Last time we talked about having vision from the time our kids are babies—looking ahead to who we want them to be as young adults. What do we want to see down the road? What kind of young people are we raising?
This key element of discipleship came up in a deep conversation with our daughter Sofia.
Sofia grew up watching us raise her younger siblings, and she was instrumental in modeling for them how to apply what Mom and Dad taught around the table. Her question was so thoughtful:
“All I learned from you is now automatic to me… so how do I make sure I pass those ‘obvious’ things down to my kids?”
We love these conversations with our kids! It means the circle is continuing. And the answer? It’s right there in the Word.
What the Word Says About Discipling Our Kids
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “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.”
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Psalm 78:4 – “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
Deuteronomy 11:19 – “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Isaiah 54:13 – “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
2 Timothy 3:15 – “And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:21 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
The Vehicle: Conversations
Let’s break down Deuteronomy 6 for a moment. Being diligent means this is a lifestyle—it’s simply “what we do.”
And how do we do it? Through our conversations. Talking about God and His Word should be the most natural, joy-filled thing we do with our kids. When they ask questions, our worldview should be shaped by Scripture so that guiding them back to the Word becomes second nature.
Four Natural Moments of Discipleship
The passage tells us when and where these conversations should happen:
1. When you sit in your house
For us, the table has always been the heart of discipleship. Over meals (or sometimes even a family movie), we talk about God, the Word, and how it applies to life.
With babies: we read Bible stories.
With preschoolers: we memorized verses together (with m&m rewards!).
With older kids: we asked deeper questions, read Scripture to teach doctrine, and brought in books or videos for perspective.
With movies: even Dora the Explorer became a discipleship tool! (Swiper the Fox was the devil, the map was the Holy Spirit, and we were always victorious in the end.)
2. When you walk by the way
These days, it’s more like when we drive. Car rides are perfect opportunities to check in on friendships, struggles, or questions, and help kids process life with a biblical lens.
3. When they lie down
Bedtime routines matter. With little ones, I’d tuck them in, pray, bless them, and answer their questions. With older kids, it looks different but still matters—it’s a time to sow peace and truth into their hearts before sleep.
4. When they rise
From their baby days we started mornings with a song of gratitude for the new day. As they grew, we added a quick devotional or “thought for the day” at breakfast before school.
The Fruit: Legacy
Four natural, daily moments where discipleship happens. When these rhythms become normal, our kids notice if we skip them—and that’s a sign it’s sticking!
Ultimately, we know we’ve succeeded when they begin passing these same rhythms to their own children. That’s when discipleship becomes legacy.
Conclusion: Ordinary Rhythms, Eternal Impact
At the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to raise “good kids”—it’s to raise young men and women who love God deeply and know how to pass that love on to the next generation. Every mealtime conversation, every car ride question, every bedtime blessing, and every morning prayer is an investment toward that vision.
These little rhythms may feel ordinary in the moment, but over time they shape our children’s worldview and prepare them to disciple their own families one day. That’s when we know the vision has come full circle—when what we’ve poured into them flows naturally into our grandchildren. That’s the legacy we’re building, one intentional moment at a time.
👉 To help you start, grab our Family Discipleship Quick-Start Checklist and keep it on your fridge as a daily reminder. And if you want to go deeper, check out our Parenting Toolbox video courses, where we unpack these rhythms in more detail and give you practical tools for everyday discipleship. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how God multiplies your faithfulness in the generations to come.
