Before Jesus told His disciples to make disciples, He told them to follow Him. This is key because discipleship begins with our own walk with Jesus. Our children, friends, spouses, coworkers, and younger believers are not simply listening to what we say about following Christ. They are watching how we follow Him.

I learned this from my parents. Growing up not only in a pastor’s home but also a missionary home in Uganda, my family lived by faith in very practical ways. I watched them trust the Lord for everything when, at times, we literally had nothing. I watched the Lord provide food, school fees, gas for cooking, and the things our family needed. Faith was not merely something we discussed at church. It was something I watched my parents practice when the answer wasn’t obvious.

That taught me something I could never have learned from a favorite Christian podcast. Following Jesus means trusting Him with your actual life.

Your children are watching how you respond when money is tight. They are watching how you speak when you’re frustrated. They are watching what happens when a prayer seems unanswered, when someone disappoints you, or when God asks you to obey something that costs you.

The gospel gives us freedom here. We aren’t trying to perform Christianity so our children will see us as good Christians. In Christ, we are already loved and accepted. From that secure place, we get to let our families see what it looks like to actually follow Jesus.

Try this today: Ask yourself, “Where is Jesus asking me to follow Him today?” Then let someone in your home see you obey.