Transformational Homes: Practical Parenting

The following are notes from a seminar led by Luke and Christina Embree at Roxbury Holiness Camp, Summer 2015.

“Disciplemaking”

What is discipleship?
- How does discipleship occur?
- Who’s responsibility is discipleship?
Two Biblical metaphors: Roots and Foundations
1. Foundations:
  1. Emphasis on right doctrines
  2. Emphasis on knowledge
  3. Produces strong construction
2. Roots
  1. Emphasis on nourishment
  2. Emphasis on cultivation
  3. Produces on fruit
3. Putting these together, we get a better window into how discipleship occurs
Who’s responsible for discipleship?
1. Short answer: all of us, but in different ways
2. The home as the mission field under our very noses
  1. ‘No one has more potential to influence a child’s relationship with God than a parent.’ That influence will be for good or bad, but it is practically inescapable. The reason is simple: time. – Reggie Joiner
  2. The 3,000/40 principle

How can we take advantage of the 3,000 hours we have in our homes to disciple our children?

“Four Moments”

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Dt. 6:6,7

Grace in The Home
1. Quote from Tim Kimmel “The Bible doesn’t say “Thy word have I hid in my head” We are often too focused on knowing biblical information instead of understanding the heart of God.”
2. If we live lives based on grace (not fear) we must rely on God and make time for Him. In raising our kids, this plays out in four intentional moments.
Remember, practical discipleship at home isn’t about creating MORE things “to do” – it’s about intentionally inviting Jesus into the things you are already doing.
1. When We Sit At Home
  1. Dinner
  2. Movie Night
  3. Game Night
  4. Family meetings
2. When You Walk Along the Road
  1. In the Car
  2. Highways and Byways
  3. On the Road
3. When You Lie Down
  1. Questions
  2. Prayer
  3. Bible Reading
4. When You Get Up
  1. Blessing (Hug and a Prayer)
  2. Intentionality

For the notes from the other three sessions, please click here.

For more information about practical discipleship in the home or transitioning to a more home-focused ministry at your church, go to ReFocus Ministry or “like” our Facebook page.

About the presenters

Luke and Christina Embree are parents to three wonderful kids and following God’s calling to full-time ministry. Luke, a pastor with the Brethren in Christ denomination, is currently completing his Master’s of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary. Christina currently serves as a family minister at Nicholasville UMC is passionate about seeing churches partnering with families to encourage faith formation at home and equipping parents to disciple their kids in the faith. Currently studying Family, Youth and Children’s Ministry at Wesley Seminary, she also blogs at www.refocusministry.org and is a contributing blogger at ChildrensMinistryBlog.com, Seedbed, and D6 Family.