Five Ways To Help Kids Live on Mission

As parents and children’s ministry leaders, we long to see the next generation grow into bold, faith-filled followers of Jesus. Our culture celebrates self-made success. It promotes self-seeking righteousness. How do we raise kids who live with gospel intentionality?

Scripture gives us countless examples of people who left behind everything they had and everyone they knew to follow Jesus. These early disciples made conscious choices to set aside fear. They pushed away doubt. They believed that God loved them and would provide for them.

Today, we have access to the entire Word of God—yet often, we fail to take it fully to heart.

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From Self-Doubt to God-Confidence

Hebrews tells us that Jesus experienced every temptation we face, yet He remained without sin. Why? So He could fully sympathize with us. When we couldn’t reach heaven, Jesus came down to us.

God knows our potential far better than we do. So why do we so often doubt the gifts He’s given us—or the calling He’s placed on our lives? Why do we question whether we are the right people to impact the children in our home? Are we the right people for our church? Can we make a difference in our community?

If you’re wrestling with doubts, take heart. Turn to God. Open the Bible and discover the promises He’s spoken over your life. Let His truth silence the lies.

And then—lead your kids to do the same.

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The Power of Two Words: “Follow Me”

Let’s take a closer look at the story of Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Before he became an author of one of the Gospels, he was a tax collector—an outcast, disliked, and dismissed.

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” —Matthew 9:9

With just two words, Jesus changed Matthew’s life.

Matthew didn’t hesitate. He left his job, his lifestyle, and his reputation behind to follow Jesus. And not only that—he invited others to come meet this man who had so radically changed his life. Jesus didn’t see Matthew as a project. He recognized him as someone with untapped potential. Jesus saw him as someone who could play a vital role in His mission.

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A Disciple Who Paid Attention

Over the next three years, Matthew walked side by side with Jesus. He saw the miracles. He heard the teachings—many of which he recorded for us today. Out of nearly 1,100 verses in Matthew’s Gospel, 644 are direct words from Jesus. That’s more than any other Gospel!

Matthew saw Jesus love people the world had rejected. He watched Him serve humbly, give generously, and ultimately lay down His life for all of us. He even saw the risen Christ with his own eyes.

Matthew’s story reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just save us from something—He calls us to something. A mission. A purpose. A life that mirrors His.

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Five Ways to Help Kids Live on Mission

Inspired by Matthew’s journey, here are five ways we can help kids live on mission. They can do this both in the church and at home.

1. GROW in God’s Word

Matthew leaned into Jesus’ teaching and soaked it in. Help your kids fall in love with Scripture. Read it together. Memorize verses. Talk about what it means and how to live it out.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” —1 Peter 2:2

2. SERVE Others Humbly

Jesus modeled servant leadership by washing His disciples’ feet. Give your kids opportunities to serve—at church, at home, and in the community. No act is too small.

“Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” —Mark 10:45

3. GIVE Generously

Matthew saw Jesus give to the poor, the hurting, and the outcast. Teach your children to live open-handedly. Encourage them to give of their time, talents, and treasures.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” —Acts 20:35

4. GO and Make Disciples

Jesus ended His time on earth by commanding His followers to go. Equip your kids to share their faith with friends and family. Teach them that being a missionary doesn’t always mean going far—it means being faithful right where they are.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” —Matthew 28:19

5. WORSHIP God Wholeheartedly

Help kids understand that worship isn’t just singing—it’s a lifestyle of honoring God in everything they do. Teach them to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” —Mark 12:30

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Your Role as a Leader and Parent

Matthew didn’t figure it all out overnight. But he was willing to follow Jesus. The same is true for our kids. We’re not trying to raise perfect children—we’re raising kids who respond to Jesus’ call with faith and obedience.

Let’s help them GROW in God’s Word, SERVE with humility, GIVE generously, GO with boldness, and WORSHIP Him wholeheartedly.

The world doesn’t need more self-seeking kids. It needs kids who are living on mission—for the glory of God.