The Five Stages of Parenting - Week Four

Discipling the Next Generation

“The Five Stages of Parenting”

Luke 2:40

 

At the heart of both parenting and discipling is goal-oriented training.

 

If the overall goal is to develop God-centeredness, it will require:

optimizing stages, prioritizing goals and utilizing skills.

 

  1. Nurturing Trainer (0-1) Nurture them to trust.

Parenting goals: Helping kids feel loved and secure; learn to trust.

Discipleship goal: To set a foundation to learn God is love

Training skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, meeting

needs, engaging interaction, wisdom.

  1. Directive Trainer (1-5) Teach them to obey.

Parenting goals: Helping them feel loved and learn to listen and obey.

Discipleship goal: Connect with the Story of God and His character.

Training skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, patient instruction,

positive reinforcement, loving discipline, wisdom.

  1. Encouraging Trainer (5-12) Encourage them to learn.

Parenting goals: Helping them feel loved; begin to learn to make wise decisions.

Discipleship goals: Learn and reflect God’s character and that He has a purpose

for their life. Surrender their life to God. Praying and learning the Bible.

Training skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, teaching Scripture

and life skills, positive reinforcement, delegation, letting them fail, loving

discipline, wisdom.

  1. Supportive Coach (12-17) Gradually release them to decide.

Parenting goals: Helping them feel accepted, keeping communication open,

choosing healthy friends, making wise decisions, pursue God’s purpose

for their life.

Discipleship goals: Know their Bible; helping them live out their faith in word and

action, learn to trust God during crisis and difficulty, grow in prayer, live a God

centered life; growing in Christlikeness.

Training skills: Attentive observation, showing love and affection, positive

reinforcement, delegation, letting them fail, loving discipline, letting go,

communication, wisdom, trusting God.

  1. Caring Consultant (18+) Help them to discern.

Parenting goals: Help them feel supported, be available to help them to discern.

Discipleship goals: To feed themself from the Bible and do it consistently; joyfully and

confidently trust God during crisis and difficulty; live a God centered life; growing in Christlikeness; discipling others.

Training skills: Letting go, showing love and affection, wisdom, trusting God.