How do you learn to follow the Lord?
How do you teach it to your children?
Perhaps the simplest advice I’ve heard is this:
Discipleship is Caught not Taught.
That is, people learn by observing good models. Teach people to follow Christ by following Christ yourself. In front of them. Let them see you reading your Bible. Let your children hear you talking about God and spiritual subjects, not only with them, but with other people. Let them catch you praying in private, in a situation that is clearly not for show, but a sincere, intimate moment between you and God. Demonstrate by your actions that walking with God matters to you. That attending church and participating in worship matters to you. That talking about your faith with other adults matters to you.
DISCIPLESHIP IS CAUGHT NOT TAUGHT.
In Ezekiel 46, the leader of the people—a political leader, not a priest or prophet—assumes an active role in worship. This prince or king demonstrates before the entire nation his willingness to worship God humbly. The king fulfills his God-given role and sets an example. But the king does not infringe on the duties of a priest which are forbidden to the king; the king respects the boundaries that God put in place.[1]
“The gate of the inner court … shall be shut the six working days, but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and … the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate … and the priests shall prepare his [the king’s] burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate…. And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the Lord in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish…. And he shall prepare a meat offering … And the prince in the midst of [the people], when they go in, shall go in, and when they go forth, shall go forth” Ezekiel 46:1-10.
No one is busier than the king. Yet, the king shows up weekly for worship, providing numerous animals for sacrifices. The king may be the number-one leader in the nation, a monarch seemingly above question, yet he makes time to worship God. And he does so humbly, never venturing into the duties of the priest which are forbidden to him. By doing what God asks of him—and nothing further—this king demonstrates obedient and humble leadership. He models proper worship, showing the people what humble leadership is all about.
You may never know a king. But I bet you know some fathers. Fathers must model faith and worship before their children. Studies show that no one’s faith has greater potential to positively influence children than the faith of their fathers.[2] Model it!
Discipleship is caught not taught.
“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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
AΩ.
[1] There are some tasks for the king, and other tasks for the priests. This is a “separation of church and state,” and kings who cross the line (like King Saul who sacrificed animals himself rather than waiting for the priest, 1 Samuel 13:2-14) will be punished.
[2] Consider this excellent, brief article about the faith of fathers: https://nickcady.org/2016/06/20/the-impact-on-kids-of-dads-faith-and-church-attendance/
Household Words: 