Back when Blake was 5 years old, I noticed him spending a lot more time by his daddy’s side. Once, I looked out my kitchen window and saw the two of them setting up a sprinkler. As I watched my little boy screw in the hose, I thought of how much he had learned that summer because his daddy had invited him to tag along.

This is a picture of what Christian discipleship should look like. Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). The first step in making disciples is telling people the Good News of salvation. But we can’t stop there. Once people accept God’s salvation, we must teach them how Jesus wants Christians to live. Part of that teaching is telling, but much of it is showing.

Of course, as parents, we must let our children see us working out our faith; they need to see us praying, reading our Bibles and making decisions based on God’s Word. But it’s not just our children we need to disciple. New Christians also need invited into close relationships so they can see the faith modeled, as well.

Is there someone in your life you can invite to tag along?

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35, NIV