b'STATE OF CHILD DISCIPLESHIP REPORT 24There is an ongoing tension within the church to reclaim parents attentionSound familiar? Lets continue. and redirect their priorities from the chaotic schedules of school, music lessons, sports and other after-school activities to the discipleship of theirBecause children spend so few hours in churches compared to their homes, children. While our intentions are good, our dissatisfaction with parentschurch leaders have commissioned themselves to resource parents withchoices only widens the gap between the Church and the Home.everything they need to disciple their children throughout the week. From coloring sheets to Bible reading plans, family prayer journals and worship If you ask anyone familiar with child discipleship what Scripture supportsmusic playlists, we aim to eliminate any excuse parents might have that the collaborative effort of the Church and the Home in the discipleship ofwould keep them from talking to their kids about their faith in Christ. Yet we a child, they will point to:all know the truth: Parents arent utilizing the resources weregiving them. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul andThis is the merry-go-round we find ourselves on, a spin cycle that doesnt with all your might. And these words that I command you todayever stop. We can continue to point fingers at parents, hoping for a different shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to youroutcome, or we can leap off the merry-go-round and ask, Why?children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when youWhat is it like for the parent? As you read earlier, parents admitted they are rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be asexhausted. Overwhelmed. Alone. Anxious. Parents dont feel they have the frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorpostsknowledge or skills to nurture their kids faith and teach them aboutof your house and on your gates. the Bible. (Deuteronomy 6:49) We asked the survey respondents who identified themselves as parents a variety of questions on how they experience support from their church, and the results are encouraging. Hours spent with children per yearParents Church403,00027'