This article first appeared in The Informer Magazine, Spring 2014.
Spring 2014
Are your children equipped to face the “Real World”? When children finish their home training and “leave the nest” into the secular culture around them, will they be truly prepared to embark on such a journey? Now is the time to begin thinking about the competing ideological forces at war for the souls of your children. While you can still influence their beliefs, you must begin dialoguing with them regarding the important issues of life. There is much more to equipping your child than simply giving them “head knowledge.” You must win their hearts by establishing a loving relationship of trust and open communication. Character building and discipleship must be central. You must encourage them to love God with all their being, and train them to be ministry-minded. We must always strive to maintain a Godly balance, aiming for the head and the heart. Simply getting “all the right answers” on a worldview assessment will not redeem a child, and just because your child has a biblical worldview does not mean that he will necessarily live according to what he knows to be true. We aren’t trying to create intellectually superior students, but rather Spirit-filled Christian youth who can live out the truth in love, and win their hearers to Christ.
What is a Worldview and Why is it Important?
A worldview is a comprehensive set of foundational beliefs regarding all of life and reality. There are truth claims that we accept as valid and, based on these presuppositions, we build our philosophy of life. We need to base our entire belief system on the truth of God’s Word. Our worldview needs to be scripturally sound if we intend to please God and obey His commands.
What Are Some Essential Components of a Biblical Worldview?
The following are questions you can use to encourage dialogue with your homeschooled students. As you discuss these issues with your teenagers or older children, you may be surprised to learn how they respond. The purpose of a worldview assessment is not to evaluate what your child knows, but rather what they believe. As much as possible, insist on scriptural references for the positions various members of your family take on these issues.
The Arts
How do we know if a certain art form pleases God? Which is more important, the content or the form of art? Does Scripture give us permission to be entertained? Do the arts usually glorify God or man? Why is this?
Economics
How do you define money? How much of our wealth is ours and how much belongs to God? Who should fund social programs like welfare, health care, child-care, education, etc.?
Education
To whom did God give the responsibility to teach children? Can a parent send their child to a Christian or government school and still fulfill their obligation to be in charge of their child’s education? What is the primary purpose of an education?
Ethics
Does a human being ever have the right to take another human life? Are there some moral truths that are absolute in all cultures and nations, regardless of whether or not they are believed and accepted by the majority of people? Is it right for us to impose our morality on other people?
History
How do you determine which historical events are worth studying and which are not? Is it possible to read historical truths that aren’t tainted by the bias of the author? Has God directed all historical events, or have some been beyond His control or will? What is the most important reason to study history?
Language Arts
Why do we desire to communicate with others? Why did God confuse our ability to dialogue with other people? (Gen. 11:7) Why do you suppose God has revealed Himself to us as the logos, or “Word” (John 1:1), and what does this tell us about His nature?
Literature
What are the biblical principles we should use to determine the spiritual value of “great books” and classic literature? How does reading fantasy literature affect your view of reality? What is the main purpose of story-telling?
Math
Can there be such a thing as Christian or secular math? What does mathematics reveal to us about the nature and character of God? If the earth was created by chaos, why do we see logical consistency in math?
Science
What are the substantial differences between biblical creationism and Darwin’s evolutionary model? Is a belief in a literal six-day creation important? Do mutations and variations within a species prove Darwin’s theory of natural selection? Is it true that science is fact, and religion is faith?
Become Worldview-Minded
I hope this article will encourage you to discuss important issues together as a family. The most important thing is not having all the right answers, but learning how to search God’s Word for answers to the questions that probe the mind. God cares infinitely about the process, as well as the end result. Relationships are built by talking together and listening to the ideas of those you love. Don’t miss the chance to “give an answer for the hope that lies within you,” even if it is to your own children. But, remember, do it with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15)!
Israel Wayne is an Author and Conference Speaker. He and his wife Brook are the parents of seven children and the directors of Family Renewal, LLC. www.FamilyRenewal.org.