Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 118 - How to Help Your Kids Develop Biblical Worldview
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 118 – How to Help Your Kids Develop Biblical Worldview
Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture.
Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how to help your kids develop biblical worldview.
My youngest doesn’t talk about her time in China very often. When she does, I listen carefully, storing away pieces of information and memories in my mind and heart to help her process her past as she is ready to manage it. As much as I wish I could have been with her from the beginning, that wasn’t our story. Instead of focusing on what we cannot change, we trust that there was a reason for the time she was without family and we focus on God’s redemptive power, grace, and love so we can be thankful for the time we have together now, and as we look forward to the future. As her mother, it is my divine privilege to love, protect her, and help her continue to move forward.
One of the things I’ve noticed is that as time presses forward, she loses what little memories she has of her life in China. Through what she has already shared, I have pieced together patterns that I believe have helped her to process things that happened to her, cope with it in the best way for her, and move forward. What surprises me, however, is that it’s not necessarily the events that happened there that bother her the most. Instead, it’s what didn’t happen. As she continues to learn more about Jesus, read her Bible, study Bible notes, and share in biblical discussions, my youngest has revealed that she’s hurt by the fact that no one in China told her about Jesus. She had no knowledge or information about how to live in ways that offered her joy and hope.
Developing a biblical worldview shapes identity and belief system. A strong biblical worldview becomes an unwavering internal compass to lead your actions and reactions.
It is essential that Christian mothers train our kids to develop and carry a strong biblical worldview. A biblical worldview will be your child’s lens to viewing the world through God’s eyes and for living with His heart.
Sadly, many mothers have not purposed time to prioritize mentorship for their children in this way. They themselves have yet to believe the life-changing effects that a walk with God through relationship with Jesus provides. We see evidence in our society daily. Surprisingly, even people who profess to be Christian do not rely on the unshakable word of God to lead them in truth that shapes convictions and actions.
Our ideals for life, how we view life, what we expect, and how we act and react, will stem from something. God should be our source of trust, integrity, cultural beliefs, and lead our desires, reactions, and words. Anything we face in life, whether it be politics, raising children, sanctity of life, marriage, or relationships should seek and adhere to what His holy word teaches and instructs.
Unfortunately, our society often values celebrities, politicians, educators, friends, self, or political parties before God. What we must realize is that any cultural ideal we follow or use as a solution or guideline in our life is simply secularism when God is absent from the equation. When humanity promotes or idealizes secular beliefs, we are dangerously following self. Our children will pay the consequences.
God’s word is absolute truth. We don’t need relative truth, which our world promotes. Anything apart from God’s truth eventually fails, bringing emptiness, misery, and disaster.
When we go astray, I believe it happens because we have not searched and utilized God’s word as our source of light, hope, strength, and guidance. Instead, we often fall back on what is comfortable or easy, or we revert to selfish desires. What we have experienced, what we feel, what we know, or what others say or do often takes control of our flesh and God’s word is forgotten or dismissed.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
When we don’t heed God’s warnings, promises, or instructions, we lose the divine, righteous guidance of our Heavenly Father; we abandon self to fleshly and sinful desires, as well as making ourselves easily manipulated by others who only look out for self.
The ways in which you as a mother engage in culture affects and directs the heart and decisions of your children. How can you train them to carry biblical discernment needed as a follower of Christ?
The answer begins with your life. What you believe and follow will most likely be what your child builds his life upon.
God’s thoughts and truth must be important and sacred to you in order for them to be what governs and directs your children. Remember, a biblical worldview comes from knowing and living God’s word - from reading, studying, and applying God’s word to every situation.
If you ingest God’s word, you’ll be sustained by His holy truths and principles. Then you’ll have the skills to build a strong foundation for your child.
Wisdom, insight, and clarity come through walking with God, studying under Him, and allowing Him to mentor you. We develop relationship with God through His word, prayerful reflection, and conversation with Him.
Transformation comes when you invite the work of the Holy Spirit to fill and reconstruct your thought processes and responses. Obedience occurs when you step out in faith and trust what you’ve learned. It comes from hearing the Holy Spirit within you as He instructs you on what to do. It deepens when you obey what you hear.
If you believe God’s word, carry it as a sacred, guiding counselor within you, and invite the Holy Spirit God deposited within you to transform your life, you will affect the life of your child and lead her to Him.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”
In order to obtain and maintain a biblical worldview, mothers must implement the following 5 steps as a lifestyle priority:
1. Regularly read and study God’s word. This means using an excellent study Bible and searching for answers. Journaling, or keeping notes helps some; writing or memorizing Scripture helps others. Find what works best for you. Make sure you’re reading God’s word regularly (that is key) and that you are breaking it down so that you really understand it. Learn to apply it in all areas of your life. Don’t just get your reading completed for the day and move on without considering what you’ve learned.
2. Trust in God’s sovereignty and His word. Each person has to make a choice as to whether we really believe what we say we do about Jesus. If we don’t, that is our choice. God allows us free will. But if we do believe, then we must make our life reflect that belief. Our eternity and the lives of those around us depend on it.
3. Stand on God’s word for self-worth and values instead of self or society. There are many agendas in this world that are in direct opposition to God. Among them are the way media portrays values and self-worth. God’s word should be your guiding influence. The God of the Universe cannot lie. Believe what He says about you. Let it penetrate your spirit and senses as you deepen your walk with Jesus, affecting everything about you, especially your relationship with your spouse and the way you parent.
4. Focus on God’s truths; don’t allow worldly influences, selfish desires, or Satan to distract or dissuade you from God’s promises or principles. Focusing on the truths and principals of God’s word should be the compass you live by. Make Him your True North and do not allow the deceit and distraction of this world to move you from living steadfastly in His grasp.
5. Look for God in every situation. God isn’t a Sunday morning visitor in our life. He is the core we wrap ourselves around. He is our guide and purpose. Find Him in the ordinary and the exceptional moments of life. He should be the underlying force behind everything we do and are.
John 12:25-26 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor Him.”
Christian mothers must purpose to know Jesus intimately and follow Him without distraction.
Inhale Him so you will effortlessly exhale Him on your family.
Our life in this world will showcase what we believe and desire. What we believe also details our life after death and for eternity. Those who love this world with a mindset of doing as they wish, chasing what they see here and now will lose what God has purposed for them in this present time, but more importantly, for eternity. We may not see the spiritual realm that is to come, but God’s word makes it clear that this world is not our home. Developing relationship with God through Christ and coming to truly know Jesus through God’s word enables us to mature a love so deep and wide that it creates an eternal bond.
Mentor Christ so clearly to your children that their vision is directed upwards toward eternity.
Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for Your everlasting love and faithfulness to us. We know you have good plans for us, not to harm us, and are for the good of Your kingdom. Help us to live with constant gratitude and a heart that seeks You above all things. Let the way we seek and love You be made evident to the children You have entrusted to our care. May our work for You in their lives be pleasing to You and fruitful or them. This world entices us with riches and momentary blessings that we crave, yet You clearly warn us not to fix our eyes or heart on them. You call us to live set apart as a faithful servant for You. Help us to be found worthy of what You call for us. Give us a heart that cries for You and Your ways. May it be mimicked by our children. Allow us to sit at Your feet with our children and enjoy what You call good. We need You so much, Father. Help us to live a steadfast life that honors all You are. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face.
That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with ambitious women who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible.
Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity.
Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior.
Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity.
If you need a little jumpstart, visit my website at terrihitt.com/resources. Scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the link for my free ebook, “Good to Godly: A 31 Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.”
One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.