Raising Giants: Chapter 6: Discipleship as Dialogue – Turning Conversations into Catechesis
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
"You shall teach them diligently to your 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 you rise." , Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
The greatest threat to modern discipleship isn't necessarily the presence of false teaching; it is the absence of meaningful conversation. In a world of soundbites, scrolling, and short-form content, the art of the "long talk" has become a rare commodity. Yet, when we look at the biblical mandate for raising children in the way of the Lord, we don't find a command to build a lecture hall; we find a command to build a lifestyle.
For many parents, the word "catechesis" sounds intimidating. It conjures images of dusty libraries, rote memorization, and stiff wooden pews. We often think of discipleship as a one-way street: the parent speaks, and the child listens (or at least pretends to). But biblical discipleship, the kind that actually moves a giant’s heart, is not a monologue. It is a dialogue. It is the sacred work of turning ordinary moments into eternal investments.
In this chapter, we are going to tear down the wall between the "sacred" Sunday school lesson and the "secular" car ride to soccer practice. We are going to explore how to turn every conversation into a form of catechesis, the intentional, relational, and powerful transmission of truth from one generation to the next.
The Deuteronomy 6:7 Mandate: The "As You Go" Life
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9) is the foundational text for Jewish and Christian education. It begins with the declaration that God is one and that we must love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. But notice what follows immediately: "You shall teach them diligently to your children."
The Hebrew word for "teach diligently" is shanan, which literally means "to sharpen." It’s the image of a craftsman sharpening a blade. It implies repetition, precision, and contact. You cannot sharpen a blade from across the room. You have to touch it. You have to apply pressure. You have to engage with it.
God doesn't suggest a formal classroom setting for this sharpening. Instead, He gives us four specific rhythms:
When you sit in your house: The quiet moments of rest and shared space.
When you walk by the way: The transitions, the commutes, and the journeys.
When you lie down: The end of the day, when the heart is often most open.
When you rise: The beginning of the day, when the vision is set.
Discipleship is not a scheduled event; it is a spiritual atmosphere. If our only spiritual engagement with our children happens during a 20-minute family devotion time, we are missing the other 23 hours and 40 minutes of "as you go" opportunities.
Why Dialogue Trumps Monologue
In the history of the Church, catechesis was almost always dialogical. It was built on the Question-and-Answer format. Why? Because questions force the mind to engage. A lecture can be tuned out, but a question demands a response.
When we move from "preaching at" to "walking with," several things happen:
1. We Identify the "Hidden Giants"
You cannot know what your child is actually thinking until you ask. You might be preaching a sermon on the importance of honesty while your child is actually struggling with a giant of anxiety about their social status. Dialogue allows you to see the actual landscape of their heart.
2. We Model Intellectual Humility
When we engage in dialogue, we show our children that faith is not just about having all the answers, it’s about knowing where to take our questions. It allows us to say, "I don't know the full answer to that, but let's see what the Bible says together." This builds trust. It tells the child that the Altar is a safe place for their doubts.
3. We Move Truth from the Head to the Heart
Rote memorization is valuable, but conversation is where truth becomes "flesh." When a child can articulate a biblical truth in their own words, they have begun to own it. Dialogue transforms information into conviction.
The Art of the Open-Ended Question
If we want to turn conversations into catechesis, we have to stop asking "Yes" or "No" questions.
Bad Question: "Did you learn anything at church today?" (Response: "Yes.")
Good Question: "What was one thing the pastor said today that made you think, 'I never saw it that way before'?"
The goal of our questions is to get the child to process their world through the lens of Scripture. This is the essence of a Christian worldview. We aren't just teaching them what to think; we are teaching them how to think.
Navigating Modern Giants: Conversation Starters
The giants our children face today, identity confusion, technological addiction, and cultural pressure, cannot be defeated with a single "no." They must be dismantled through ongoing, wise conversation.
Here is a framework for using the Deuteronomy 6:7 rhythms to address modern issues.
1. Identity: "Who Tells Me Who I Am?"
In a world that says identity is whatever you feel in the moment, we must constantly point our children back to the Creator.
The "Rising" Question: "What is one thing God says is true about you today, regardless of how you feel?"
The "Sitting" Question: "If God sat at this table and described you to someone else, what are three words He would use?"
The Catechism Shift:
2. Technology: "Is This a Tool or a Master?"
We live in a digital age, and our children are digital natives. We cannot simply ban screens; we must disciple their use of them.
The "Walking" (Driving) Question: "When you spend an hour on [App/Game], do you feel more like you've been served, or like you've been used?"
The "Sitting" Question: "What is one way we can use our phones this week to actually encourage someone else instead of just entertaining ourselves?"
The Catechism Shift:
3. Culture and Truth: "What is the Real Story?"
Our kids are being "discipled" by the culture every time they watch a movie, listen to a song, or talk to a friend. We must teach them to discern the underlying messages.
The "As You Go" Question: "That movie we just saw, what was the 'good life' according to the main character? Did it match what Jesus says about the 'abundant life'?"
The "Sitting" Question: "I heard a lot of people talking about [Current Event] today. What do you think the most 'loving' and 'truthful' response would be from someone who follows Jesus?"
Discipleship as Relationship, Not a Lecture
One of the greatest mistakes we make is thinking that discipleship is something we do to our children. In reality, it is a relationship we build with them. Jesus didn't just give the disciples a syllabus; He gave them His life. He ate with them. He traveled with them. He slept in the same places they did.
If your children feel like every conversation with you is a "trap" to get to a spiritual lesson, they will stop talking. The dialogue must be rooted in genuine love and interest.
The Rule of 5:1
Try to have five "normal" conversations for every one "heavy" spiritual conversation. Ask about their hobbies, their friends, their frustrations, and their dreams. Build the bridge of relationship so that when it’s time to carry the heavy weight of theological truth, the bridge can hold it.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Dialogue
As an Assemblies of God aligned ministry, we believe firmly that discipleship is not a human-only endeavor. We are not just "talking"; we are inviting the Holy Spirit to be the Third Party in every conversation.
When you sit down to talk with your child, pray silently: "Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear what they aren't saying. Give me the words that will pierce through the noise."
Sometimes, the most powerful moments of "catechesis" don't come from your prepared answer, but from a "word of wisdom" or a "word of knowledge" that the Holy Spirit drops into your heart in the middle of a car ride. Be sensitive to His leading.
Practical Steps for This Week
How do we start? You don't need a degree in theology. You just need a willing heart and a few good questions.
Audit Your Rhythms: Which of the four rhythms (Rise, Walk, Sit, Lie Down) is currently the most "empty" of spiritual conversation? Start there.
The "One Question" Rule: Commit to asking one open-ended heart question during dinner every night this week.
Listen Twice as Much as You Speak: Practice active listening. When your child shares something, instead of immediately correcting them, say, "Tell me more about that. Why do you feel that way?"
Use "As You Go" Transitions: Use the drive to school as a time of blessing rather than a time of rushing. Speak a truth over your child as they step out of the car.
Turning Conversations into Catechesis: A Sample Guide
Moment | Modern Issue | The Dialogue Starter | The Truth Connection |
Rising | Anxiety / Fear | "What's the biggest 'giant' you're facing today?" | "Remember, the same God who was with David is with you in that classroom." |
Walking (Car) | Social Media | "I noticed you were on TikTok for a while. Did it leave you feeling better or worse about yourself?" | "God's opinion of you is the only one that is actually permanent and true." |
Sitting (Dinner) | Current Events | "There's a lot of anger in the news today. How should a Christian respond when people are being mean to each other?" | "We are called to speak the truth in love, even when it's hard." |
Lying Down | Mistakes / Guilt | "Is there anything you wish you could have a 'do-over' on from today?" | "God's mercies are new every morning. Let's ask for His forgiveness and start fresh." |
From Information to Transformation
The goal of "Raising Giants" is not to produce children who can pass a Bible test. The goal is to produce children who walk with God. Information is the foundation, but dialogue is the framing. Conversation is where the "dry bones" of doctrine receive the "breath" of real-life application.
When we talk "as we go," we are showing our children that God is not confined to a building or a book. He is the Lord of the sidewalk, the Lord of the smartphone, and the Lord of the kitchen table. He is present in their questions, their doubts, and their victories.
By turning our conversations into catechesis, we are building a home where the Altar and the Office, the sacred and the everyday, are seamlessly integrated. We are raising giants who know how to talk to their culture because they have spent a lifetime talking to their parents and their God.
Reflection Questions
Which of the four rhythms (Rise, Walk, Sit, Lie Down) is currently your strongest? Which is your weakest?
Think of a "giant" your child is currently facing. What is one open-ended question you can ask them this week to start a dialogue about it?
How can you shift from a "preaching" tone to a "walking with" tone in your daily interactions?
Are there "monologues" in your home that need to become "dialogues"?
Prayer for the Discipling Parent
Lord, thank You for the privilege of sharpening these precious lives. Forgive me for the times I have been too busy to talk "as I go." Open my eyes to the ordinary moments that are actually sacred opportunities. Give me wisdom to ask the right questions and grace to listen well. May our home be a place where Your truth is discussed with joy and where every conversation leads us closer to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is an author, educator, and leader dedicated to helping people understand Scripture, grow in faith, and lead with eternal purpose. With a background in theology and leadership, Dr. McDonald specializes in creating biblically grounded resources that bridge the gap between ancient truth and modern life. His work is rooted in Assemblies of God theology and focuses on discipleship, cultural discernment, and emotional healing.
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What happens to a child’s faith when the "Sunday answers" no longer fit the "Monday questions": and are you brave enough to let them ask the questions that might change everything?
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