How Would You Describe a Disciple at Age 18?
I am putting together a tool that I hope will be beneficial for many parents including my wife and I. Part of that tool will be a list of characteristics, skills, and truths. This list is what we hope will be an accurate description of our own kids when they reach age 18 (or are ready to leave the house). We are not controlling over-protective parents who need to just chill. We just want to be strategic and intentional about parenting our kids. If we know what the goal is, then maybe we can make better parenting decision and increase our chance for success.
So what we would like from you is suggestions. What are things you would want your kids to know, believe, and be able to do on a spiritual level? What goals do you have for your own kids?
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Being the parent of a 17 year old and 14 year old, one of the most important things to us is that our kids own their own faith. That they are making life choices that are Christ centered because they want to, not because they have to.
One of the things I hope my students and son experience before graduating is intergenerational fellowship and ministry in the Body of Christ.
Couple things come to mind. The condition of the heart is one of the most important aspects. Do they have a humble, submissive, forgiving, loving heart? the proper condition of the heart is key. Secondly do they know the difference between do and being. When they are out doing life are they being the church or are they just doing church when the church meets?
Couple things come to mind. The condition of the heart is one of the most important aspects. Do they have a humble, submissive, forgiving, loving heart? the proper condition of the heart is key. Secondly do they know the difference between do and being. When they are out living life are they being the church or are they just doing church when the church meets?
Connection with larger body of Christ (not just YM isolation).
Serving
Investing and inviting friends/people in their world.
Student of God’s Word
Able to defend the faith (implies they know what they believe and why).
There are many places in scripture to pull these ideas from, plus many more. One cool passage is Colossians 1:9-12. Also, Ephesians 6:10-18 provides a description of a spiritually equipped person. Of course, discipleship continues on, long after youth ministry, but we can help equip them for a lifetime of growth.
I’ll keep thinking!
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