“Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
(Deuteronomy 6:7, NLT)
Some of the most powerful discipleship doesn’t happen in a church classroom or a formal Bible study.
It happens somewhere much more ordinary — the front seat of your minivan.
In ancient Jewish tradition, the road was a classroom.
Rabbis didn’t just teach in synagogues — they taught while walking, while journeying, while living alongside their disciples.
And that same model is available to every modern parent — no seminary degree required!
Today, our roads look a little different, but the principle holds:
A car ride is one of the best natural environments for discipling your child.
Why Car Rides Are Prime Discipleship Time
- You’re already together, often undistracted: It’s a captive audience — and a beautiful opportunity.
- The atmosphere is casual: Lower pressure equals deeper conversations.
- Movement encourages thinking: The simple act of driving often loosens deeper thoughts and feelings.
- Small talks add up: Faith isn’t usually built in grand moments — it’s layered slowly through dozens of small ones.
When you intentionally reclaim the car ride, you transform ordinary travel into eternal investment.
Easy Ways to Disciple During Car Rides
1. Use “Faith Talk” Starters
Simple prompts like:
- “What do you think God is like?”
- “Where did you see kindness today?”
- “What do you want to ask God about?”
2. Pray Over What You See
See an ambulance? Pray together for the person inside.
See a sunset? Praise God for His beauty.
3. Practice Gratitude Together
Before you reach your destination, each person says one thing they’re thankful for.
Simple. Powerful.
4. Memorize Scripture as a Game
Pick one verse a week and practice saying it back and forth — one word at a time, in funny voices, or with motions.
5. Sing Worship Songs Together
Fill your drive time with music that lifts the heart. Let your kids pick favorites. Worship is discipleship too!
Tips for Parents
- Be a Gentle Guide, Not a Lecturer: Let the conversation flow naturally. Ask questions, don’t interrogate.
- Celebrate Curiosity: Even “off the wall” questions are open doors to learning.
- Use Silence Wisely: Sometimes the best way to spark faith is just being a peaceful, calm presence.
- Stay Consistent, Not Perfect: You don’t have to have profound talks every ride — it’s about weaving faith into life consistently.
Faith Question Jar: A Fun Activity for the Car
Create a simple “Faith Question Jar” for your car!
Fill it with small slips of paper with easy questions about faith, character, dreams, and God’s love.
Examples:
- “If you could meet any Bible character, who would it be?”
- “What does it mean to trust God?”
- “What’s one way we could serve someone this week?”
Let your kids draw a question during a drive and answer together.
Fun + conversation = natural discipleship.
Remember
Every mile can matter.
Every ordinary drive can become extraordinary when Christ is part of the conversation.
You’re not just running errands —
You’re walking alongside your child, just like the ancient rabbis walked with their disciples.
Next time you buckle the seatbelt, take a deep breath, and remember:
The road is your classroom.
The ride is holy ground.
The journey is the lesson.
For parents wanting to go the extra mile, I recommend the following book – “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family (with Study Questions)”. In the bestselling book Parenting, Paul David Tripp unfolds a more biblical perspective on parenting than merely adhering to a list of rules. He lays out 14 gospel-centered principles that will radically change the way parents think about what it means to raise up a child, informing everything they do as a parent. This edition includes a section of engaging study questions for every chapter, helping individuals and groups reflect on each topic in greater depth.
