Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
This week as we have been looking at the whole idea of discipleship, we have sought to answer several questions through the different topics. On the first day we sought to answer the question what discipleship is as we looked at the meaning of discipleship. On the second day we sought to answer the question how discipleship is done as we looked at the means of discipleship. On the third day we sought to answer the question who is affected through discipleship as we looked at multiplication in discipleship. Yesterday we sought to answer the question where discipleship happens as we looked at the models of discipleship. Today, as we conclude this series, we are seeking to answer the question, when should discipleship happen?
The text before us is a brilliant exposition of moments of discipleship. Moses is giving instructions to the children of Israel to not forget the Lord, their God. He urges them to worship Him alone and to remember to keep His statutes. He then goes ahead to instruct them to teach these same things to their children. Not only does he instruct them to teach their children, but he also tells them how and when. They are to teach the children in every moment of their lives – when they sit in the house; when they walk by the way; when they lie down; and when they rise. Not only that, but they are also to ensure that the word of God is always before them – bound on their hands; dangling before their eyes; written on their doorposts and on their gates.
From this text, we can learn that discipleship (especially family discipleship) is to happen throughout life’s every moment. Whereas we designate certain times when we seize the opportunity to teach, meaningful discipleship happens in the everyday business of life. Thus, we must labour to use every moment and every situation as a teaching opportunity. What then is the moment of discipleship? Every moment.
Reflections
1. What has been your view of time in relation to discipleship?
2. What are the moments in your life that you can take advantage of to do discipleship?
3. How can you practically apply this week’s lesson and today’s lesson specifically?
