[This is a post in a series on Discipling Your Family Well.]

Last week our family traveled back to East Tennessee for Thanksgiving. We arrived to find the ground covered with about four inches of snow. It has been colder here in the Atlanta area as of late, but it is rare to see significant amounts of snow here. Needless to say our kids were beyond excited. Having seen the weather before leaving we were fully equipped with all the necessities to play (that is being intentional, more below). As we proceeded to hurl snowballs at one another and make snow angels the cool crisp air whipped through the trees. The squealing and laughing from the kids (okay…and me) echoed through the small valley in front of the house. What does this have to do with discipleship? Well for one, we were playing together. How our children view us, will directly affect how our children view God. Second, we had just spent hours (well…thirty minutes) playing in solid white snow. Immediately Isaiah 1:18 comes to mind:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

This lead into a natural opportunity to all about the Gospel with the kids. It served as a great object lesson that illustrates for them what Jesus has done for us in a way that I could not replicate in our evening devotion at home without the snow. It was a spontaneous moment that proved powerful in our family discipleship.

When it comes to discipling your family it is important to be realistic in your approach and expectations in family.  It is also important to be intentional in your process of discipleship. Another important (and fun) aspect is being spontaneous. In fact, I think it could be argued a that being spontaneous may be more important. Here are four things to consider when it comes to being spontaneous in your family discipleship:

1. Being spontaneous is simply discipling your family as you go through life.

God is present in our everyday lives. We must teach our children to view life through the lens of Scripture.

2. Being spontaneous means being intentional.

This sounds like a contradiction I know. If we are not intentional to take advantage of the opportunities around us we can not be spontaneous.

3. Being spontaneous requires being aware of what is around you and what is happening.

If you are not looking for God’s presence and work in your lives and in your family you will miss it. This requires us to slow down (hard in itself for our culture) and look around.

4. Being spontaneous allows for fun.

At the end of the day, we must teach and show our families that following the Almighty Living God can be fun and adventure filled. Run to the Lord consistently in good and in bad. Play together along the way and enjoy each other.

[This is a post in a series on Discipling Your Family Well.]

What ways have you been spontaneous in your discipleship?  Do you think being spontaneous is important?  What difficulties do you have in discipling as you go?  Leave a comment below and share!