Without discipleship, we’re raising a generation that’s moved at the altar but unchanged in their lives. We’re not called to raise emotional responders. We’re called to raise Jesus followers. And there’s a difference.
We love when kids come to the altar and they should. We want them to experience the love of Jesus, the power of His presence, and the beauty of the cross. But if we stop there we’re only giving them half the gospel. Because Jesus didn’t say “Admire the cross.” He said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
We’re not just raising kids to be touched. We’re raising them to be transformed.
The Altar Isn’t the End. It’s the Beginning
We need to shift our mindset. The altar isn’t a finish line. I used to think “If I can get kids to the altar and encounter Jesus, we’ve made it.” The truth is, them getting to the altar was just the beginning.
It’s where kids respond to conviction, yield to the Spirit, hear Jesus calling their name, say “yes” to following Him. Not just once, but again and again.
But if we don’t disciple what happens after the altar, the moment will fade. And we’ll wonder why kids don’t stick with the faith they once felt so strongly.
A Crossless Christianity Isn’t Christianity at All
If we only preach comfort, kids will run when it gets hard. If we only preach blessing, they’ll crumble when God says, “wait.” If we only preach love, but never teach obedience, we’re giving them a shallow version of the gospel.
Discipleship means we teach kids to obey Jesus even when it costs them. It means we show them how to serve others, not just be served. It means we model how to forgive, repent, and keep showing up. It means we remind them that the cross isn’t just something Jesus carried. It’s something we’re called to carry too.
Parents: Discipleship Starts With You
Yes, parents, you.
Kids will mirror your hunger. They will reflect what you prioritize. If your kids only hear about Jesus at church, they’re being raised by culture more than by the cross.
we have to ask ourselves:
• Are we creating space at home to talk about what God is doing?
• Are we helping our kids live out their altar moments?
• Are we making it clear that Jesus is Lord over everything and not just Sunday?
Don’t just drive them to the altar. Walk with them after it.
Leaders: Altar Calls Should Lead to Follow-Up
Kids need to know that responding to God doesn’t stop when they sit down.
We must disciple the child who said yes to salvation, the one who wept during worship, and the one who raised their hand when you asked about surrender.
Because the fruit of the altar shows up in the classroom, in their friendships, in how they speak, obey, and lead.
And discipleship isn’t a program. It’s a process. It looks like intentional conversations, real accountability, and constant reminders that Jesus is worth following even when it’s not easy.
Final Thoughts
I love seeing kids run to the altar. But I love it even more when they learn to walk with Jesus every day after.
Let’s not settle for raising kids who love the cross but never carry it. Let’s raise disciples. Let’s raise kids who love Jesus enough to surrender everything, pick up their cross, and follow Him no matter the cost.
Because altar moments matter. But a life laid down for Jesus? That’s what changes the world.
Unshakable kids. 