Equipping Children to Engage with Culture While Remaining Grounded in Their Faith
Why imparting a biblical worldview is a central calling for Christian parents
In a world filled with competing perspectives, ideologies, and philosophies, it’s critical for Christian parents to help their children develop a biblical worldview.
A worldview is simply the lens through which someone views all of life. It’s the foundation, or grid for processing ideas, behaviors, and values. It answers the questions:
Where did we come from?
What has gone wrong?
What’s the solution?
A biblical worldview is an understanding of the world that is shaped by the truth of Scripture, allowing us to navigate life with God’s truth and wisdom.
This post explores the process of cultivating a biblical worldview in our children by teaching them to see the world through the lens of Scripture, helping them discern truth from falsehood, and equipping them to engage with culture while remaining grounded in their faith.
Teach Children to See the World Through the Lens of Scripture
One of the primary ways to cultivate a biblical worldview in our children is by teaching them to view the world through the lens of Scripture. This involves helping them understand that the Bible is not just a collection of stories but a comprehensive guide to understanding God, creation, humanity, sin, and redemption.
This understanding gives biblical answers to the three core worldview questions.
Some practical steps for teaching children to see the world through the lens of Scripture include:
Learn the Bible. Encourage your children to read and study the Bible regularly, both individually and as a family. Read-Aloud Theology was designed to help make this a practical reality.
Connect Scripture to everyday life. As you encounter various situations and experiences, help your children make connections between what they are learning in the Bible and the world around them. This can involve discussing current events, ethical dilemmas, or personal challenges in light of biblical principles, particularly how life connects to the gospel, where grace becomes the defining truth of the believer’s life.
Encourage critical thinking. Teach your children to ask questions and seek answers from the Bible, fostering a spirit of curiosity and inquiry that will help them develop a deep and personal understanding and application of Scripture.
Help Children to Discern Truth from Falsehood
In a world filled with conflicting ideas, it is crucial to equip our children with the ability to discern truth from falsehood. By grounding them in the truth of Scripture, we can help them navigate the complexities of life and peer pressure with wisdom and discernment.
Here are some strategies for helping children develop this essential skill:
Teach the basics of biblical interpretation. Guide your children in understanding the principles of interpreting Scripture correctly, such as considering the grammatical, historical/cultural, and redemptive context, taking into account the genre of the text as we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Encourage discernment in media consumption. Help your children develop discernment in their consumption of media, whether it be books, movies, or social media. Discuss the messages and values presented and compare them to a biblical worldview.
Address difficult questions. Be open to discussing difficult or controversial topics with your children, guiding them in seeking biblical answers and encouraging them to think critically about the issues at hand.
Equip Children to Engage with Culture While Remaining Grounded in Their Faith
As gospel-centered parents, it is our privilege to equip our children to engage with the culture around them while remaining grounded in their faith. This involves helping them understand the cultural context in which they live and providing them with the tools to interact in a manner that reflects the influence of God’s truth and grace.
Consider the following strategies:
Encourage cultural awareness. Help your children become aware of the values, beliefs, and customs of their culture, discussing both the positive aspects and the areas where it diverges from a biblical worldview.
Model Christ-like engagement. Demonstrate how to engage with culture in a Christ-like manner by interacting with people who hold different beliefs with humble confidence and unexpected kindness.
Prepare children for challenging encounters. Discuss potential challenges your children may face in their interactions with others, such as peer pressure, conflicting beliefs, or difficult conversations. Equip them with biblical principles and practical strategies for responding to these situations in a manner that is faithful to both truth and grace.
Foster a missional mindset. Teach your children that engaging with culture is not just about preserving their own faith but also about sharing the gospel with others. Encourage them to see their interactions with the world as opportunities not only to defend the gospel but to commend it as well.
Build a supportive community. Surround your children with a community of like-minded believers who can provide encouragement, guidance, and support as they navigate the challenges of living out their faith in a sometimes hostile world. Believers who are committed to being being gospel salt and light need kingdom community to charge their batteries.
In summary, cultivating a biblical worldview in our children is a critical aspect of gospel-centered parenting. By teaching them to see the world through the lens of Scripture, helping them discern truth from falsehood, and equipping them to engage with culture while remaining grounded in their faith, we can prepare them to live lives of purpose and conviction, guided by the wisdom of God's Word. In doing so, we not only strengthen their faith but also empower them to be effective witnesses for Christ in a world that desperately needs His message of hope and redemption.
Discussion Questions for Parents
What is a worldview, and why is it important for Christian parents to help their children develop a biblical worldview?
What are some practical steps parents can take to teach their children to view the world through the lens of Scripture?
How can parents help their children develop the ability to discern truth from falsehood in a world filled with misinformation and conflicting ideas?
What strategies can parents use to equip their children to engage with culture while remaining grounded in their faith?
Why is it essential to surround children with a community of like-minded believers as they navigate the challenges of living out their faith in a diverse world? How can parents foster a supportive community for their children?
How can parents model Christ-like engagement with culture, and why is this important for their children's development of a biblical worldview?
What are some potential challenges that children may face as they engage with culture, and how can parents prepare them to respond in a manner that reflects their faith?
How can parents help their children understand that engaging with culture is not just about preserving their own faith but also about sharing the gospel with others?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you with grateful hearts, thanking you for the gift of our children. As Christian parents, we recognize our responsibility to cultivate a biblical worldview in them, helping them to see the world through the lens of Scripture and navigate life with your wisdom.
We pray that you would guide us as we teach our children to understand your Word, to discern truth from falsehood, and to engage with culture while remaining grounded in their faith. Give us the strength and courage to model Christ-like engagement with the world, and to prepare our children to face the challenges they may encounter with wisdom, discernment, and grace.
Lord, we pray that you would surround our children with a supportive community of like-minded believers who can encourage, guide, and support them as they grow in their faith. Help us to instill in them a missional mindset, so that they may be effective witnesses for Christ in a world that desperately needs your message of hope and redemption.
We ask all of this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to go into all the world and make disciples.
Amen