When my son made the first string on his youth football team, he was excited. He said he had been “waiting his whole life” – all of 8 years – to play in a real football game. The big game day arrived and something strange happened: our first string player didn’t get off the bench the entire game. We asked him later why he didn’t play. With wide, innocent eyes, he said he would have played, but every time he was ready to run onto the field, another player who shared his position told him loudly and confidently, “You stay here. It’s my turn!”

As a parent, you are the first-string discipler in your child’s faith journey. From the moment they’re born till the day they leave the nest, God has given you the privilege and responsibility to teach them about Him and cultivate their faith.

Every word spoken and every action you display will affect your child. You can either help point your child to Christ or push them away. Challenge yourself to spend time in the Word, talk with the Lord in prayer, and apply biblical teachings into your life. In this way, you can positively impact your child for Christ.

In Exodus, the Israelites were slaves for four hundred years. Generations lived and died under slavery. Can you imagine? They knew no other way of life. Enter Moses, a man God raised up to lead His people to freedom. In answer to their prayers, God unleashed a series of plagues and wonders, as only He could do, and delivered His people from Pharaoh.

Undoubtedly, freedom was sweet, but a problem loomed overhead. Though the Israelites had been set free from slavery, they didn’t know how to live as free men and women. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments to guide His people into a right relationship with Him and with one another. Then the Lord said, “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” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

It wasn’t a religious leader’s job to pass faith to the next generation; it was the parents’ responsibility. This hasn’t changed. It’s essential that we teach our kids who God is, what He has done for us, and His faithfulness.

Are you currently teaching your children about God? Do they know God’s love? Are they aware of their worth in God’s eyes? Do they know that Jesus died for their sin, so that they could have eternal life with Him?

Faith at school starts with faith at home. You can’t reassign their discipleship to someone else. There is no plan B; there is no second-string discipler to nurture your children’s faith. With the unique challenges kids face in public school, a commitment to the work of discipleship is vital.

What are some ways you can disciple your children at home? Perhaps you can encourage them to read the Bible instead of playing video games. Or you could organize a Bible study with your child and their friends instead of scrolling on social media. Share what you have learned about God in everyday conversations with them.

Simply, display God’s love in your life. The more they see examples of godly love, the more likely they will be to grow in their own knowledge and relationship with Jesus. Don’t underestimate the power of your testimony – kids pay attention to every action and word.

As the first string discipler in your child’s life, make every effort to consistently shine brightly for Jesus. In Matthew 5:14-16, God tells us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.

In this way, as you cultivate your own walk with Jesus, intentionally live it out in front of your children. Your child will see you talk with Him in prayer, give your concerns over to Him, and listen to Him and His Word. God will give you everything you need  to disciple your children and help them come to know Him. So, go ahead – you can be confident to get in the game as the first string discipler of your children! That’s God’s game plan for you and them.