Parents as Disciplemakers: Discipleship Isn't Hard

Stand Firm Parents

Podcast Title: Stand Firm Parents

Episode Title: Parents as Disciplemakers: Discipleship Isn’t Hard

Host: Jake McCandless

Guests: Daphne Kirk and Andrew Kirk, Generation 2 Generation Ministry

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless dives into the vital role of discipleship in parenting. Jake emphasizes that giving our children a faith that lasts starts with understanding the Great Commission's call to make disciples—beginning in our own homes. He explains that while the term "discipleship" can seem daunting, it is much simpler and more integral to parenting than it might initially appear.

Jake is joined by Daphne Kirk and Andrew Kirk from the ministry Generation to Generation, which focuses on reconnecting generations and preparing them for the challenges of today's world. They discuss practical ways parents can disciple their children, highlighting that every parent is discipling their children—whether consciously or not—through their passions and priorities.

Key Discussion Points:

• Defining Discipleship in Parenting: The episode begins by addressing the varied perceptions of "giving our kids a faith that lasts." Jake suggests that using the term "disciple," as instructed in the Great Commission, helps clarify the universal mission of Christian parents.
• Discipleship Simplified: Daphne shares a powerful analogy from her experience in Brazil, where she compares discipleship to how parents naturally teach their children to love football (soccer). She explains that the same passion and enthusiasm parents show for sports can be applied to teaching children about faith.
• The Role of Passion in Discipleship: The KIRKs stress that parents inevitably disciple their children through their passions. If parents are passionately in love with Jesus, that passion will naturally overflow to their children.
• Practical Tips for Discipleship: The guests offer practical advice on how parents can integrate discipleship into everyday life, from sharing personal faith stories to prioritizing spiritual activities over secular ones.
• Impact of Israel on Faith: The episode touches on the importance of understanding Israel’s role in the Bible and how visiting Israel can profoundly impact a child's faith. Daphne shares how she prioritized taking her children to Israel before they turned 18 to help them grasp the reality of Jesus’ return and develop a strong, enduring faith.

Episode Quotes:

• “We’re all discipling our children, whether we realize it or not. The question is, what are we discipling them for?” - Daphne Kirk
• “You will disciple your children in what you're passionate about. Passion for Jesus will naturally lead to discipling them in faith.” - Daphne Kirk
• “We don’t parent our children to be successful on this earth; our goal is for them to be successful for eternity.” - Daphne Kirk

Call to Action: Subscribe to Stand Firm Parents on your favorite podcast platform, share this episode with fellow parents, and begin taking steps to disciple your kids in the faith.

Learn More:

• Visit Generation to Generation Ministry to learn more about their work and mission.

Credits: Stand Firm Parents is a production of Stand Firm Ministries in partnership with Lifeword Studios. Created by Jake McCandless and Brendan Harrington of Dime Collective.