Bendangliba Andrew
Take a moment and look around. From bustling cities to towns, it’s common to see someone using an iPhone, working on a MacBook or listening through AirPods. Apple company didn’t achieve this global presence by accident. Their influence was the result of intentional branding, excellent design and consistent messaging. They didn’t merely sell products. They created a culture. They shaped what people desired, how they communicated and even how they lived.
The way technology companies like Apple strategically shape culture and influence daily habits shows us how powerful consistent influence can be. Just as Apple has won the attention and loyalty of millions through its products, Christian families are reminded of the importance of discipling their children by shaping their hearts and minds with eternal truth that lasts beyond worldly trends. While the world is actively discipling our children through media, entertainment and education, many Christian parents are passive hoping that a weekly church service or occasional Bible reading will be enough. But if Apple company can capture hearts and shape lifestyles so effectively, how much more deliberate should we be in discipling our children towards Christ?
The Passive Danger: Are We Paying Attention?
Many Christian parents assume that taking their children to church once a week, saying a quick prayer before meals or owning a Bible at home is enough. We hope that these gestures will somehow anchor them in faith. But the truth is, the spiritual battlefield is far more intense. Today, children are constantly exposed to voices that shape their identity, morality and worldview. Social media, YouTube, music, TV shows and even school systems are forming them every single day. The messages are subtle, emotional and persistent. They don’t ask for permission, they just influence. If Christian parents are not alert and intentional, they risk leaving their children vulnerable to ideologies that have nothing to do with Christ. Faith cannot grow in an atmosphere of neglect. The heart of a child needs guidance, truth, correction and loveall of which are part of intentional discipleship.
God’s Design for Family Discipleship
Long before youth ministries and Sunday schools existed, God gave parents the responsibility to disciple their children. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, He says: “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.” This was not a suggestion, it was a divine blueprint. God’s intention has always been that faith be integrated into the fabric of daily life. Discipleship doesn’t begin and end on Sundays. It happens over dinner tables, during at bedtime and in the midst of life’s joys and challenges.Children need to see that their parents’ relationship with God is real. They learn by watching how their parents respond to pressure, handle failure, treat others and seek God. Faith is not just taught, it is modeled.
Start with What You Have
One of the biggest obstacles for parents is the feeling of inadequacy. “I don’t know the Bible well enough,” or “I’m not spiritual enough,” are common concerns. But the truth is, you don’t need to be perfect to disciple your children. You just need to be present and intentional. You can start with simple steps. Talk to your children regularly. Ask them about what they’re thinking, what they’re afraid of, what they’re excited about. Read a short passage of Scripture as a family and reflect on it together. Pray with them, not just during meals but when they’re anxious, before they go to school or after a tough day. Tell them stories of how God has helped you in your own life. Even more importantly, let them see your walk with God. Let them see you reading the Bible. Let them hear you confess when you’ve done wrong. Let them witness your struggles and your trust in God through those struggles. These ordinary moments are discipleship in action.
Your Home is a Church and You are the Shepherd
Too often, Christian parents outsource spiritual formation to the church. While pastors and youth leaders play a role, they were never meant to replace parents. The first church your child will ever know is your home and you are their first spiritual leader. What happens in your home forms the foundation for how your children understand God. Is your home a place of grace, prayer, Scripture, forgiveness and love? Or is it filled with stress, silence or spiritual apathy? Children can detect authenticity. If faith is only something they hear about on Sunday but never see at home, they will grow up seeing Christianity as shallow or optional. Parentshave a sacred calling. You are not just raising kids. You are raising future disciples, leaders, missionaries, husbands, wives and parents. Your influence reaches far beyond the present moment.
The Legacy of Discipleship
When you disciple your family, you’re planting seeds that will grow into generational impact. Psalm 78:6–7 reminds us of this purpose: “So the next generation would know God’s deeds, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God.” The goal is not just to raise moral children. It is to raise Christ-centered, Spirit-led disciples who know God personally and who can pass the faith on to others. What you build in your home today will echo into generations you may never see. This is why discipleship must begin now, not when your children are older, not when life is more settled, not when you feel more prepared. Start small, stay faithful and trust God with the results.
Conclusion
Apple reached the world because someone took their mission seriously. But God has given you a mission that is far more significant. It’s not about gadgets or success; it’s about souls. Your children are not just your responsibility, they are your greatest calling. Don’t leave their spiritual growth to chance. Don’t assume someone else will step in. The world is already speaking to them. Let your voice be louder, not in volume, but in love, truth and consistency. You may not see all the fruit right away, but remember: God works through faithful seeds. Your home is the most strategic place for the Gospel to take root. Your love, your presence, your faith—it matters. So start now. Lead your family. Talk about Jesus. Live out your faith. Disciple your family. Make it count.
~ Bendangliba Andrew