Christian Living

Equipping the Saints Part 2

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
07/26/23
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“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:20).

The second part of the synopsis says, “God designed this equipping – or discipleship – to happen primarily in the home. How can the church support believers to live well and train their families to do the same? What are the truths, habits, and disciplines that help us run the race well? Scripture addresses all matters of faith and practice. ”

Great! I’ve been trying to articulate that over the years but haven’t been successful in my delivery. I was pleased to read that second part of the synopsis to the ‘Equipped’ sermon series. As I listened to the sermon being delivered by Paul Gotthardt, it was as if he was taking the words out of my mouth. I very often have such a conversation around the dining table and with fellow teachers and ministry leaders within the church. 

My desire is to be part of a church who are passionately pursuing God;  taking discipleship seriously. What I have experienced, so far, from local churches, and seen or heard from other church groups across the globe, is this:

Ministry groups designed to support parents such as Sunday schools and Youth groups have become a stumbling block in the path of parent-child relationship development. Instead of aiding the process it serves to relieve parental responsibilities and in so doing, we've inadvertently been encouraging fathers, in particular, to drop the ball. How so, you may ask?

Well, there is a belief that the Sunday school and the ministry groups (including youth groups) are the sure path in discipling the next generation of believers. I may be wrong, but from what I have witnessed/gathered, ‘we’-- the church -- believe  with our whole heart that Sunday school (SS) and Youth groups are the key tools to discipleship.

If SS and Youth groups provide the way, what are we saying to those who come to faith in their older years?

Unfortunately, relying on ministry groups such as SS and youth etc. has, in my experience, produced generations of 'entitled' (sometimes arrogant) young adults who struggle to understand the basics of their faith, yet believe that they are all-knowing. They don’t seem to know what it means to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength nor what it means to love their neighbour as themselves. Niether do they understand what it means to honour their parents; respect themselves and others and they often believe that baptism is the pinnacle of their faith. Then there are those who are hungry for the understanding but are being fed milk. In their search for understanding, they are sometimes led astray.



Somewhere along the path, came a disconnect with the ‘Great Commission’ and church ministries. And many parents are led to believe that it is the church's responsibility to disciple our children.

Many also believe that sin is to be covered and managed instead of to be confessed and repented of (see 1 John 1:9). It has also caused many children to mature physically into adulthood believing they are Christians, simply through affiliation with the church and therefore never making the connection nor the transfer from head knowledge to relationship.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).

This is my reasoning: If the public schools are designed to teach academic studies -- educating our children academically while conforming them to the world’s culture; then it stands to reason that the church ministries: Sunday Schools, youth groups and other such ministries within the church are there to provide biblical teachings where we are all being transformed, becoming more Christ-like.

Our faith isn’t an attachment to the rest of our lives but a way of life/ a lifestyle. Once our children pass through Sunday school and or/youth group they should be equipped to do life not just in the church but life in general. I grew up in the church and passed through all those ministries and still entered adulthood an immature believer unprepared for the various seasons of life and relationships.

I looked back wondering what went wrong and found that the disconnect was between the home and the church. I strongly believe that the key is in the process of discipleship, not in an individual talking down to or at our children. There is a purpose for the classroom setting so let’s use it to our advantage. However, it should be in working alongside parents to provide biblical principles to do the training at home. The teaching in Sunday school or youth groups should not be in isolation from the parents. These services/ ministries are meant to complement / enhance/ supplement not compete with or detract from the parenting responsibility.

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it" (Prov. 22:6). Although it can be seen in any area of training, I believe this is a direct command to parents. This is also in addition to Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4 alongside Deuteronomy chapter six (6).

Therefore, the focus should be on teaching the believers how to do life the ‘Christ way’ and through that, there will be continuous growth. As believers mature in the word:

1. Parents will be equipped to parent well;


2. Husbands and fathers will be equipped to lead well;


3. Wives and mothers will be equipped to serve well;


4. Children will be nurtured and discipled well and they will be equipped to disciple others.

That creates a healthy cycle, leaving a legacy generation after generation and the gift goes on and on and on.

Let's make a decision to be disciples of Christ who disciple others. If parents are equipped to parent well we will begin to see a shift in society. Let's be purposeful in the training of our sons and daughters. Call out the leader in them so that they'll be equipped to lead the way for the generation after them.

Your sister in Christ,

Janice S Ramkissoon.

(26th July 2023)