Back again! We’re in Part 2 of our 7-part series, diving into how we raise a family to follow Jesus – and we only get one shot. No matter your family status – even if you’re single or childless, raising children or empty nesters — you have to understand, you have a family to lead. If you aren’t sure pause here and go to Matthew 12:46-50 to read about your family.  

Last time, we talked about how routines create disciples, inspired by the Shema in Deuteronomy 6. Today, we’re focusing on one of the most powerful routines you can establish: reading Scripture to your kids. Let’s jump in with a story that stuck with me. It actually haunted me.

When my now adult son, Zach, was five years old, I looked at him and had a flashback. Have you ever had this moment looking at one of your kids? I immediately saw myself when I was five. It was like looking at my pictures from elementary school. Zach had my haircut. He looked and was even acting like me in so many ways. Where I was, what I was wearing — he was emulating me. I was awed and afraid at the same time. Would he end up experiencing all that I did growing up or could he have more? What does more look like?

As parents, we have conflicting thoughts of wanting more for our children and not wanting to ruin them with too much. You wish that you weren’t protecting them against a world that bombards our kids with messages — social media, TV, peers — all vying for their souls and minds. How do we ensure they follow Jesus when we are being filibustered by digital content? Deuteronomy 6:6-7 urges us to impress God’s commands on our children, talking about them constantly. But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and in response outsource their faith to somewhere else — like church or youth group. The truth is, God’s given us the primary role to guide them, and nothing shapes their spiritual path like hearing His Word directly from us. Without it, they’re left navigating life’s noise without the guide they really want: YOU.

So, how do we raise followers of Jesus? Two ways: First, embed Scripture into their everyday lives and thinking. Second, live an adventure for Christ where they can see God’s power in you and through you. We’ll focus on the latter in the next segment. In Priority Living’s The Master’s Program, Session 4 focuses on how God calls us to be headmaster of our home’s school, coaching our followers toward a life of faith. You are the Chief Spiritual Officer in the home. You are the priest.

Here are three practical steps to make Scripture a cornerstone:

Let me tell you how this has unfolded in our own family. As our sons have grown, they’ve both stepped into leadership roles, leading Bible studies with their peers and offering meaningful insights to their church leaders. The Bible has deeply shaped their worldview — so much so that they often reflect on moments in their lives that parallel biblical stories.

Now, don’t get me wrong — knowing Bible trivia or winning sword drills (a throwback term for some of you!) doesn’t make someone a true follower of Christ. That kind of information, while helpful, isn’t the whole picture. Understanding God — and human nature — through Scripture is foundational, but it’s only the first step in discipleship after baptism: getting to know God. But that head knowledge alone isn’t enough to raise “next-gen” followers of Jesus. There’s a vital element missing — and we’ll unpack that in the next part of this series.

Looking at Zach today, he’s a grown man — and yes, he still looks a lot like me. He’s imperfect and human, just like I am. He even thinks and processes the world in ways that remind me of myself. But at my funeral, I don’t want him to talk about how much he’s like me. What I hope he says is, “Dad discipled me. He introduced me to the true Father — the One I’ve given my life to.”

How many people will stand over your casket and say you were their spiritual parent?

In your corner,
Jeff

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