Day 22 – Teen Devotion: Disciple Your Parents

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God calls every believer to disciple other Christians while evangelizing non-believers. Thus, your role—no matter your age—is to care for those within your sphere of influence. Even if you’re a Christian teen, you have a responsibility to disciple or evangelize your parents.

Read Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Teen Devotion

Your ministry and responsibility to God do not begin when you leave your home. The individuals within your family unit also fall within your calling to love others more than yourself. Do not sell yourself short. There comes a time in every teen’s life when how they relate to their parents begins to change.

When you were younger, you were the recipient of all their care, while there were not many reciprocal expectations placed on you to care for them. You’re not that kid any longer. You’re an adult, and you need to act like one. Being an adult is to step into a caregiver’s role, which includes your siblings and parents.

This role change includes the spiritual side of things. If you are a believer and a spiritually maturing teen, you’re old enough to begin providing biblical care for your family. It is one way you can honor your parents. Some believers become caught up in convoluted definitions of what honoring parents means. For example, they may think that bringing corrective care to their parents as not being loving. They are wrong.

There are times when the most loving thing a child can do for their parents is correct them when they are going down a wayward path. Providing loving corrective care is one of the more substantial implications of the gospel, as it mirrors how God cares for you. Of course, another aspect of your discipleship responsibilities is to encourage your parents. Whether corrective or encouraging, you must be discipling those in your home.

Time to Reflect

1. Your spiritual maturity determines your ability to care for your parents. Do you believe it’s time for you to take your care to the next level?
2. What hinders you from bringing biblical care to your parents?

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).