How to Shape Your Child’s Biblical Worldview

As a parent and a professing Christian, the spiritual development of your children is likely one of

your top priorities. So, how can Christian parents go about shaping their children’s worldview

from a biblical perspective?

As we discussed earlier this month, one of the first crucial steps to instilling a biblical worldview

is understanding what that term truly means. George Barna, founder of the Barna Group,

defines a biblical worldview as the belief in six key principles:

1. Absolute moral truth exists.

2. The Bible is fully accurate in all it teaches.

3. Satan is a real being or force, not merely a symbol.

4. A person cannot earn their way to Heaven through good deeds.

5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on Earth.

6. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who continues to rule the universe today.

As a Christian parent, aligning with and teaching these six core principles is an excellent starting

point when shaping your child’s biblical worldview.

The Critical Window of Influence

Research by George Barna reveals that children begin forming their worldview at a very young

age—around 2 years old. This process continues until their early teens, typically around age 13,

when their worldview becomes fairly mature. This means that Christian parents have a critical

window of influence—just over a decade—before other significant influences like peers, media,

and culture become more prominent in their child’s life.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

In my younger years, I served as a Youth Pastor for middle and high school students. Many of

my conversations centered on the idea of worldview influences. I often repeated the adage,

“Garbage in, Garbage out,” emphasizing the role that what students consumed (movies, music,

and magazines) played in shaping their worldview. In those days, the internet had not yet

become a household presence, so my focus was largely on media that was more directly in their

reach.

I challenged students to carefully evaluate the content they were consuming—whether it was

the quality of the music lyrics, the appropriateness of TV shows and movies, or the images in

the magazines they flipped through. The influences of these "3 M's"—Movies (and TV), Music,

and Magazines—needed constant attention, as they shaped young minds in powerful ways.

Shaping a Biblical Worldview Takes Intentionality

Developing a biblical worldview in your children doesn’t happen by accident. It requires

intentionality, love, grace, and persistence. While our culture has changed in many ways,

parents still wield the greatest influence during their children's early years.

Here are ten practical steps Christian parents can take to nurture a biblical worldview in their

child's heart, mind, and spirit:

1. Pray for and with your child. From the moment they are conceived forward.

2. Read the Bible to them from a very young age. Share well-known stories like Moses leading the Israelites, Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, and more. As your child grows, begin to share the deeper truths behind these stories and invite them to engage.

3. Worship as a family at a Bible-believing church. Choose a church that teaches and

supports a biblical worldview.

4. Hold regular family devotionals. There are many excellent resources available online and in Christian bookstores that can help guide you.

5. Play Christian music in your home. Surround your family with songs that reflect

biblical truths.

6. Consider a Christian school. If it's an option, and you are able, a Christian school can be an excellent environment for shaping your child’s worldview.

7. Encourage participation in youth programs. Get your child involved in your church’s

youth ministry. Take the time to meet the leaders and understand the goals of the

program.

8. Have open, honest conversations about faith. Don’t be afraid to talk about your

beliefs with your children, and be transparent when you don’t have all the answers.

9. Monitor media consumption. Be vigilant about the TV shows, movies, and online

content your child engages with.

10. Model Christ-like behavior. Remember that your child is always watching and listening. Make it your goal to reflect Christ in your actions, and don’t hesitate to apologize when you fall short. Actions often speak louder than words.

Partnering for the Next Generation

At UBCA, we recognize the tremendous responsibility of partnering with you in the process of

helping your child develop a biblical worldview. Together, we can raise up the next generation of

Christian leaders who will impact this world with God’s grace and love. Let’s press on, faithfully

and intentionally, in this eternal endeavor.