Discipleship in Four Contexts: From Family to Sunday School to Church
The four places where your faith will grow.
This fall I am excited to begin teaching Sunday School again. I will be leading our Next Gen 2 class, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity. Few ministries are as vital to the life of the church as our small groups and Sunday School classes. These are not just programs—they are the places where we live out the commands of Jesus in real, practical ways.
At the heart of Jesus’ mission is this simple but profound call: we are to make disciples. That mission is not reserved for pastors or teachers alone. It belongs to every Christian, and it takes shape in the ordinary rhythms of life. When we look closely, we see that disciple-making happens in four key contexts:
Personal and Family
Each of us needs a personal relationship with the Lord, rooted in prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Faith cannot be borrowed—it must be owned. And in our homes, we pass that faith on. Parents, grandparents, and siblings all have the privilege of teaching one another to walk with Christ in daily life.
Smaller Group
Throughout the New Testament we see discipleship in close relationships. Think of Paul and Timothy, or Paul and Barnabas. These friendships of faith are where encouragement and accountability flourish. We need brothers and sisters who will walk closely beside us, celebrate victories, and speak truth when we need correction.
Small Group
This is where Sunday School comes in. A slightly larger circle of believers who gather to open God’s Word, pray for one another, and apply Scripture together. In these groups, the church becomes family. Needs are shared, prayers are lifted, and faith is strengthened through teaching and conversation.
The Local Church
Finally, discipleship requires the whole body. When we gather in worship, we are not just attending an event—we are being formed by God’s Word, united by the Spirit, and strengthened for witness in the world. The church gathered is one of the most powerful testimonies to the gospel.
God grows us through each of these contexts. They do not compete with one another but complement each other, shaping us into disciples who follow Jesus faithfully in every area of life.
This fall, as our classes begin again, I pray we will see them for what they truly are: not just meetings on a calendar, but opportunities to be transformed together. Paul’s words to Timothy ring just as true today:
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” —2 Timothy 2:2
That is the pattern. Disciples make disciples who make disciples. May that be the heartbeat of our church and the legacy we pass on to the next generation.