One of the tenets of Christian schools is developing a Christian worldview in students. In every subject, we strive to show students what a Christian worldview means in that discipline. In language arts it begins with teaching the student to read, write and speak so he may know God’s Word, share God’s truth and discern if what he is reading is aligned with God’s teachings. From there all of the subjects taught flow toward the central thought of what is God’s view on this subject, and how can I influence the world for Him. Developing Godly wisdom in each student at TBCA goes to the core of our mission statement, and we at the Academy seek to stretch our students to increase their knowledge and wisdom daily.

What about in your home? Is developing a Christian worldview in your child a priority for you? In the busyness of day-to-day living, modeling and teaching a Christian worldview can be lost. God calls us as parents to teach our children many things, and even though we want to partner with your family to develop strong Christian young people, the primary responsibility for teaching Godly concepts lies with the family. (Deuteronomy 6:7) Have you discussed with your children consumerism and a Christian worldview? Does where you shop, how you spend your money, and the priorities you have for giving reflect God’s view? Do Christian values influence your entertainment? Everything from video games, movies, music, and books present a worldview. Is the message we see modeled in Christ? Many messages in our modern entertainment are so subliminal that even the most innocent appearing show can be teaching false doctrine to your child. When was the last time you talked with your child about the importance of their education and discussed that God is building within them the skills they will need to carry out the plans God has for them? What college may God be leading your child to attend? Or is it just assumed your child will go to a particular college because you are alumni, the college is close to home, or it has a great sport’s team? Every day parents have the opportunity to show their children how God is influencing their lives for Him now and in the future.

Focus on the Family lists the following questions to assess your biblical worldview:
• Do absolute moral truths exist?
• Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?
• Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?
• Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it today?
• Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
• Is Satan real?
• Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
• Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?

Exploring these questions and others with your children will help you to determine their worldview and maybe even help you to solidify some of your own thoughts. Then, applying those truths to every aspect of daily living will show your children how serious you are as a family about having a Christian worldview and displaying to the world what that worldview is. Frances Schaeffer in How Should We Then Live states it this way:

As Christians we are not only to know the right worldview, the worldview that tells us the truth of what is, but consciously to act upon that worldview so as to influence society in all its parts and facets across the whole spectrum of life, as much as we can to the extent of our individual and collective ability.

A wonderful resource to help your family consider a Christian worldview in daily living is the book How Now Shall We Live by Charles Colson. Each selection is a five-minute read but will leave you with many ideas to consider and discuss at your dining room table tonight.

Together we can develop young people who know what they believe, know why they believe what they do and live out those beliefs before a lost and sinful world.

--Donna Mannon, Director of Education