Trailhead – Edition #13 – September 2026
Welcome back, fellow disciple-making parents!
A few weeks ago, our school’s back-to-school night was on the calendar. It had been on the calendar for a while and still felt far away, until my wife texted me to remind me it was coming up fast. It was just a routine reminder, but it hit me differently this time. Summer was ending, and we were about to step into a season that moves fast: school, practices, games, church activities gearing back up.
Now here we are. School has started, back to school night has come and gone, and the slower days of summer already feel like a distant memory. I felt that familiar mix of excitement and dread as the year began, excited for what’s ahead but a little unsettled by how quickly the slow days disappeared. A few weeks in, I know I’m not the only one who feels the pace picking up. It’s easy to get pulled into managing it all: making sure everyone is where they need to be, has what they need, and is ready for what’s next. The days fill up quickly, and it’s easy to lose track of what actually matters.
God’s Word for This Season
In the middle of all that, the Lord keeps bringing me back to a simple truth: my greatest responsibility isn’t getting my kids through the school year, it’s helping them know Jesus. School matters. Sports matter. Friendships matter. But none of it matters more than helping our children know, love, and follow Christ. That’s why I keep coming back to Proverbs 22:6 (ESV):
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
I think about that word “train” a lot as a baseball coach. You don’t build a swing in one practice. You show up, you repeat the same fundamentals, and most days it doesn’t feel like much is happening. Then one day you watch a kid do something right without even thinking about it, and you realize all those small reps actually built something. Solomon is telling us parenting works the same way. The direction we point our kids in, day after day, is what shapes who they become long after they’ve left our house.
If you’re looking for more Scripture to anchor your family as the year gets going, I put together 10 Bible Verses for Starting a New School Year, one for each week or moment you need it most.
Reflections for Disciple-Making Parents
Family discipleship starts with parents who walk with Jesus themselves. It means being willing to point our children to Him in the ordinary rhythms of a school year. This month’s full Trailhead walks through what that looks like in practice, along with three simple next steps you can take with your family this week.
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This post is just a portion of this month’s Trailhead. The full version includes the complete reflection. It also has three practical steps to try with your family this week. There’s also a closing word that only goes out by email. Want it all delivered straight to your inbox each month? Sign up below.
Recommended Resource
This month I’m recommending the Colossians 3:23 Devotional/Coloring Page Bundle for families looking to stay grounded in Scripture as things pick up. It pairs a short devotional with a coloring page, discussion question, and prayer. The theme centers on what it means to work wholeheartedly for the Lord, whether that’s homework, chores, or everything else your kids are doing right now. Find it on Etsy. You can also browse the full Family Discipleship Shop for more resources like this one.
Whatever this season holds for your family, I hope you’ll keep coming back to what matters most. I’ll see you next month.
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