Intentional Discipleship & Encouragement for the New Semester
Written by Age-Group’s Pastor, Andrew Wible
I recently listened to a GREAT episode of The Intentional Parents Podcastabout discipline for your kids, and would highly recommend not only this episode but any of the “Intentional” episodes! This episode in particular walked through the 4 steps of discipline seen in 2 Timothy 4:2 — gentle correction, loving rebuke, patient instruction, and encouragement.
And it got me thinking about how we often view discipline as punishment. You did ___, so you deserve ___. But when we see it that way we are missing the fact that discipline is a tool for discipleship. Its a tool to come alongside our kid(s) often in a crucial time and area of need in your child’s life!
And thats where I think encouragement is SO crucial! Our kids need correction, rebuke, and instruction for sure but they also need to hear more than just when they’ve missed it. We say at Antioch that Celebration is our Soundtrack! And part of the journey of seeing discipline as discipleship in parenting is learning how to encourage our kids when we see the ways of Jesus in them! That’s why September’s family Connection is the Encouragement Game!
The Family Encouragement Game
Setup
Gather everyone together in one room.
Choose a person to start (a parent works great to set the tone)
Round 1: “I Love…” Statements
Person 1 says: “I love ____ about Person 2.”
Then person 2 gets the chance to say it about a different person. Continuing around the room until each person has given and receivedone encouragement.
Round 2: “Thank You For…”
This time, each person thanks someone for something specific they’ve done: “Thank you, Sam, for helping me clean up my toys yesterday!”
Make sure everyone gets to give and receive.
Round 3: “You’re Really Good At…”
Each person shares a skill, talent, or character trait they admire in someone else.
“You’re really good at making people laugh!”
Bonus Rounds
Future Round: Speak something hopeful about their future. “I think you’re going to be a great teacher someday!”
Silly Round (kids love this!): Encouragement but goofy answers only—like, “I love how Daddy can eat ice cream faster than anyone in the world!”
Pro Tips
Help younger kids: Whisper ideas if they get stuck.
Mix up the order: Try to encourage someone different each time!
Celebrate: Claps, high-fives, or hugs after each encouragement make it fun!
Prayer for the Semester
Jesus, I pray for _____ this semester. I pray that these next 4 months would be full of joy, growth, and encounter with you.
I pray that this semester you would care for my kid(s). Would you guide each step, orient each day to please you and watch over them. I pray as temptation comes this year would you be the way out? As discouragement comes, would you breathe fresh life into them? As failure comes, would you remind them their worth is in you rather than what they do?
Jesus I ask that this semester my kids would love you more in December than they do now. I surrender their discipleship journey to the master discipler and trust you to lead them.
Jesus I trust you. Amen.