The discipleship of children and youth is one of the most urgent callings of our time. In a culture that relentlessly shapes the hearts and minds of the next generation, God’s design for discipleship must be reclaimed and prioritized. Parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, but Scripture also reveals the value of a broader, intentional village—rooted in biblical truth—that comes alongside the home to strengthen and support this calling. Some might call this village extended family or friends.
God’s Design: Parents First, But Not Alone
The Bible is clear: the responsibility of discipling children belongs first to the parents.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:6–7
This ongoing lifestyle of discipleship is essential in the development of the next generation. Parents cannot outsource the spiritual training of their children, but neither are they meant to walk the journey in isolation. We were created for relationship, but it is our choice to determine the influences we allow in our children’s lives. God designed the community of faith—an intentional, Christ-centered village—to be a reinforcing voice of truth in a child’s life.
The Biblical Village
The book of Psalms emphasizes generational discipleship within the community of God’s people:
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. Psalm 145:4
This is not limited to parents but includes grandparents, teachers, mentors, and the wider faith family. In the early church, discipleship was communal: families broke bread together, prayed together, and upheld one another in faith (Acts 2:42–47). The village was intentional, not passive. Its calling was to pass down truth and model godly living for young believers.
Why the Village Matters
Research reveals the power of multiple voices affirming the same truths. Studies from the Barna Group show that young people are far more likely to remain in the faith when they have at least five invested Christian adults in their lives beyond their parents. This confirms the biblical pattern: discipleship thrives when children are surrounded by a village of believers who echo the same values and truths being taught at home. Yet, for this village to be effective, it must be rooted in biblical truth. A community that affirms cultural values over God’s Word will not lead children toward Christ, but away from Him. The intentional village must stand firm on Scripture, aligning with God’s design for the family and His standards of holiness.
The Role of the Village
While parents are the primary disciplers, the village—comprised of the church, Christian educators, and godly mentors—serves to reinforce, not replace, parental discipleship. This alignment prevents mixed messages. When the home, church, and school are united under a biblical worldview, the child receives a consistent message of truth.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
A child surrounded by such a village has multiple reinforcements to strengthen their walk with Christ.
A Call to Build the Village
Here are ways parents can intentionally find and build a village to help disciple their children:
- Prioritize Christian Community – Regularly gather with believers for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Show children that the church is family.
- Seek Godly Mentors – Invite trusted adults into your child’s life who will speak biblical truthand model Christlikeness.
- Unite Church and Home – Discuss at home what is being taught at church and in school. Reinforce it around the family table.
- Protect Against False Villages – Be intentional about peers, media, education, and influences. Not every community is rooted in truth—choose wisely.
Discipleship of the next generation is too great a task to be carried by parents alone. God designed an intentional, truth-rooted village to surround children and youth with consistent, Christ-centered influence. Parents are responsible for laying the foundation, but the village can either strengthen or crack that foundation.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
Parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors all have a role to play in raising a generation grounded in truth. Let us build intentional villages, rooted in God’s Word, to disciple the next generation to bring God glory.