God’s covenantal faithfulness (i.e. his vow to be committed to his people and to fulfill his promises to them) stands underneath the call that parents have to disciple their children. The following is how. He has vowed to bless the nations through the seed of Abraham, the Christ (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:13; Gal. 3:16), and this involves God’s people possessing the nations (Is. 54) and thus causing the fear-inspiring city of nations to fear God and come to him (Is. 25:3), which is part of the New Covenant in which God will reach the nations through his people (Is. 54; 60:1-3ff.). The promise to reach and possess the nations as offspring also includes God’s New Covenant promise to teach these children of God’s people and to give them great peace (Is. 54:13), which is part of the New Covenant promises of God (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:25-27; John 6:45). Thus, as the Church is called to tell the next generation of the great works and salvation of God (cf. Dt. 6:6-9; Ps. 78), which is a subset of the mission to make disciples by teaching them to observe all Jesus commanded (Mt. 28:19-20), there is a promise that this will be successful and fruitful and this promise stands upon the power and authority of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18). So, parents can be encouraged that God is going to do much in their discipling of their sons and daughters. What a joy that it does not ultimately depend upon us. Additionally, this should encourage any disciple of Jesus Christ who is discipling others (pastors and non-pastors). God will accomplish this mission and there will be the redeemed someday standing before him from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people group worshiping him in heaven (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9-13). This will include many children of faithful discipling parents. So disciple, disciple, disciple. God will bring forth much fruit (one of the reasons Jesus chooses us as his disciples (John 15:16)!
