Worldview Training

The Bible tells us that we are to train our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Therefore, we should ask ourselves: (1) Are we training our children to think like Christians; (2) Are we bringing them up with a correct Biblical Worldview?

I have heard so-called "scholars" say using the Bible to correct our children will only cause more rebellion, especially to God's Word.  But let me ask you this, what then is our standard?   If we can't use God's Word as our guide then we have nothing.  They will not be good on their own.   There is NONE righteous and our best attempts are but filthy rags.

We must have a standard by which we follow.  Children need to be instructed in what and why they are doing wrong along with the consequences of their actions.  The question then becomes what is the foundation of authority for their worldview?   If we didn't have God's Word to tell us, “Thou shalt not steal,” how would we know not to steal?  You might say, "Well, because it's wrong to take something that doesn't belong to you".  How do we know it's wrong?  If we go by what we as individuals say is right and wrong, then who's to say what authority we go by?  What I say is wrong may not be what someone else says is wrong.  Where do we get our Law?  Individuals begin doing that which is right in their own eyes, which is nothing more than humanism.   This has been individuals and society’s problem since the Garden of Eden.

As a parent, we sometimes feel that the most important aspect in training our children is letting them know they have done wrong and thinking that is the end of it.  But just as important, or even more so, is telling them what is right and how to live according to God's Word.   If someone needed directions and all we did was tell them they were making all the wrong turns and never told them which roads to take, what would their destination be?   God's Word must be our foundation.  We must train them from the very beginning to think like a Christian. 

What does it mean to think like a Christian?  It means to put on the mind of Christ.  And the only way we are going to know the mind of Christ is through His Word.  We are told in I Corinthians 2:16 that we have the mind of Christ.  Simply put, we have the mind of Christ through the written Word of God.  It is to be the pattern by which we live our lives and by which our children are taught to live their lives.  Deuteronomy 6:7 says, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  This sounds to me like God’s Word is to be of upmost importance in the lives of our families.

Training our children in Godliness takes much work and dedication.  There will be times you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.  At those times remember the many promises given to us in God’s Word.  The lives of our children are at stake.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” -Galatians 6:9

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” -Philippians 4:13

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” -Proverbs 22:6