Tag: gospel-centered parenting

  • Talking to Kids About Difficult Topics (Gender, Media, etc.)

    🛡️ Day 39: Talking to Kids About Difficult Topics (Gender, Media, etc.)

    “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:17

    As Christian parents and homeschoolers, we’re called to raise our children in the truth of God’s Word—but what happens when that truth clashes with the culture they live in?

    Children today are growing up in a world where gender identity, sexual morality, media influence, and personal truth are heavily promoted in ways that oppose Scripture. These are not easy conversations—but they are absolutely necessary.

    This blog is here to encourage you: you can talk about difficult topics with your kids biblically, confidently, and lovingly. And more than that—you must. This is part of the call to disciple your children and raise them to stand firm in Christ.


    👣 Start with God’s Design

    Before tackling what’s wrong in the world, we must first teach our children what’s right in God’s eyes.

    “So God created man in His own image… male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:27

    God’s creation is good. He made male and female with intention, purpose, and love. He designed marriage, family, and identity. These truths are not random; they are rooted in His character.

    When we affirm God’s design from the beginning—our children are better equipped to discern the distortions of truth that come from the world.


    ❤️ The Gospel: Our Foundation for All Truth

    It’s important that our children know why there is confusion in the world today: it’s not just misinformation, it’s sin.

    “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

    Sin brought brokenness into every part of life—including our understanding of gender, identity, and morality. But the gospel is the good news that Jesus came to redeem and restore what sin has broken.

    When our kids see that the real issue is the heart, and that Jesus is the only solution, they’ll have both compassion and clarity when faced with worldly messages.


    📺 Equipping Our Kids to Discern Cultural Lies

    Today’s culture is loud. It comes through TV shows, social media, books, classroom discussions, cartoons, and even through peers and family.

    But God’s Word is louder—if we teach our kids how to listen.

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

    We must train our children to compare every message they receive with the Bible. Ask questions together like:

    • “What does God say about this?”
    • “Is this honoring to Him?”
    • “Does this align with Scripture or go against it?”

    Encourage them to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who examined everything in light of God’s truth.


    🌈 Talking Biblically About Gender, Sexuality, and Media

    Here are a few key topics to address intentionally with Scripture:

    1. Gender Identity

    • Truth: God created two genders: male and female (Genesis 1:27).
    • Error in Culture: Gender is a feeling or social construct.
    • How to Discuss: Emphasize that our bodies and identity are part of God’s good plan, not something we create ourselves.

    2. Sexuality and Purity

    • Truth: Sexual intimacy is a gift from God, designed for marriage between a man and woman (Genesis 2:24, 1 Cor. 6:18-20).
    • Error in Culture: Any expression of sexuality is valid and should be affirmed.
    • How to Discuss: Teach that our bodies belong to God, and we honor Him through purity, self-control, and love.

    3. Media Influence

    • Truth: We are called to think on things that are pure, lovely, and true (Philippians 4:8).
    • Error in Culture: Entertainment is harmless and doesn’t affect us.
    • How to Discuss: Help kids filter media through Scripture. Make wise choices together.

    🧒 Tailoring Conversations by Age

    • Young Children: Focus on God’s creation and design. Use clear, simple terms like, “God made boys and girls,” and “Jesus loves you and made you special.”
    • Tweens: Introduce more detail, including God’s design for marriage, purity, and truth. Answer questions patiently.
    • Teens: Engage in open, respectful conversations. Let them ask hard questions, but always anchor responses in Scripture.

    The goal is to open the door for ongoing dialogue, not just one-time lectures.


    🕊️ Responding with Truth and Love

    “Instead, speaking the truth in love…” – Ephesians 4:15

    Jesus never compromised truth—but He also never withheld love. Model this same balance:

    • Speak calmly and kindly, not in fear or anger.
    • Remind your children that people who believe differently are still made in God’s image and need Jesus, just like we all do.
    • Train them to respond with courage, grace, and humility.

    🙏 Practical Ways to Disciple Your Kids Through These Issues

    • Start each day with God’s Word—it sets the tone for every other voice they’ll hear.
    • Memorize identity Scriptures together: Psalm 139, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:10.
    • Use media moments (shows, news, etc.) as teachable times.
    • Pray together for wisdom and for courage to stand firm.

    🧡 Final Encouragement

    Talking to your kids about hard topics may feel uncomfortable—but silence will never protect them. Truth will.

    You don’t have to have all the perfect answers. You just need to be present, faithful, and rooted in God’s Word. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.

    “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” – 3 John 1:4


    📂 Coming Soon: Free Printable Pack for This Topic!

    To support these conversations at home, we’ll release a free printable pack after the 90-day series:

    ✅ “Truth vs. Lies” Cards: Biblical responses to cultural messages
    ✅ “Who God Says I Am” Poster
    ✅ Family Conversation Starters
    ✅ Media Discernment Checklist
    ✅ Devotion Guide: Guarding Hearts in a Culture of Confusion

    📍Download at www.christschooling.com (coming soon!)

  • What the Bible Says About Truth and Morality

    “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” – John 17:17

    In a world where truth feels negotiable and morality is often based on personal preference, how do we raise children to know what is truly right and wrong? The Bible gives us a clear answer: Truth is not a concept created by culture—it is a person. It is Jesus Christ. And morality is not defined by feelings—it is grounded in the character of God.

    In this blog, we’ll explore how to teach your children a biblical view of truth and morality, helping them walk in discernment, integrity, and grace in a morally confused world.


    1. What Is Truth According to the Bible?

    Truth is not merely factual correctness—it’s rooted in the very nature of God.

    • Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
    • Psalm 119:160 declares, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
    • John 17:17 reminds us, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

    In a culture that says, “Live your truth,” the Bible boldly proclaims: there is only one truth, and it comes from God. Truth is unchanging because God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8).

    Application for your homeschool: As you teach your children to read and reason, anchor their learning in the truth of God’s Word. Start your school day with Scripture. Encourage them to ask, “What does God say about this?” in every subject.


    2. God’s Standards of Morality vs. the World’s Confusion

    Biblical morality is not about cultural trends or emotional opinions—it’s about what pleases God.

    • The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) reveal God’s moral law.
    • Jesus summarized the law as loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37–40).
    • Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…”

    In today’s world, morality is often defined by slogans like “You do you” or “Love is love.” But biblical morality calls us to holiness, obedience, and righteousness. Morality isn’t about earning salvation—it’s about living in a way that reflects the character of our Savior.


    3. Teaching Children to Discern Right from Wrong

    Helping children develop a biblical moral compass means equipping them to evaluate the world through Scripture:

    • Use daily experiences as teachable moments.
    • Ask, “What does the Bible say about this?”
    • Read Proverbs together—it is full of moral wisdom.
    • Study the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) as a family to understand Kingdom values.

    Tip: Model integrity in your own life. Kids learn morality by watching how we speak the truth, make decisions, and ask for forgiveness when we fail.


    4. How to Respond to the World’s Lies

    Equip your children to spot false ideas with the lens of Scripture. Here are a few common cultural lies—and the biblical truth to counter them:

    Cultural LieBiblical Truth
    “Truth is whatever feels right to you.”“The heart is deceitful above all things.” – Jeremiah 17:9
    “Follow your heart.”“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” – Proverbs 3:5–6
    “If it makes you happy, it’s right.”“In those days… everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25

    Train your kids like the Bereans, who “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Teach them that even popular messages must be weighed against God’s Word.


    5. The Gospel: The Heart of Truth and Morality

    Here’s the beautiful reality: all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and no one is righteous on their own (Romans 3:10). Morality points us to our need for a Savior.

    As you teach your children what is right, always point them to Jesus, who:

    • Fulfilled the law perfectly.
    • Died for our moral failures.
    • Offers forgiveness and grace.

    Truth without grace leads to legalism. Grace without truth leads to compromise. But truth and grace together lead to life (John 1:14).


    6. Living It Out in Your Homeschool

    Here are some practical ways to make truth and morality a natural part of your homeschool:

    Bible-Based Discussions: Use stories from history, literature, or current events to talk about right and wrong. Ask, “What do you think God says about this?”
    Memorize Scripture: Verses like Micah 6:8, Romans 12:2, and Philippians 4:8 help shape worldview.
    Family Devotion Time: Study topics like the Ten Commandments or the fruit of the Spirit.
    Grace-Filled Discipline: When correction is needed, always connect it to God’s truth and His love.


    📂 Coming Soon: Free Faith-Based Printables

    To make these lessons easier and more engaging, we’ll soon release these free resources:

    Bible Truth vs. Cultural Lies Sorting Activity
    “God’s Moral Law” Coloring Pages
    Memory Verse Cards on Truth and Morality
    “My Moral Compass” Devotional Journal Page

    💡Stay tuned to www.christschooling.com for free downloads after the 90-day blog series!


    🙏 Final Encouragement

    Teaching truth and morality in today’s world is countercultural—but it’s one of the most loving things we can do for our children. We’re not just raising rule-followers. We’re raising disciples of Jesus, rooted in the truth that sets them free.

    “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” – 3 John 1:4

    Stay rooted in the Word, parent in the Spirit, and trust God for the fruit.

  • Teaching Kids a Biblical Worldview in a Secular Culture

    Teaching Kids a Biblical Worldview in a Secular Culture

    Week 6 – Christian Worldview & Culture


    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

    Romans 12:2


    In a world where truth often seems to shift with the cultural winds, raising children who know, love, and live by God’s Word has never been more urgent—or more powerful. As Christian homeschooling parents, you’re not just educating your children’s minds—you’re discipling their hearts and shaping their worldview.

    But what does it mean to teach your child a biblical worldview? And how can we equip them to stand firm in faith while surrounded by secular influences?

    Let’s walk through this together.


    🌍 What Is a Biblical Worldview?

    A biblical worldview means viewing all of life through the lens of Scripture—believing that God’s Word is true, sufficient, and relevant for every area of life. It means seeing God as the Creator and Sustainer of the world, understanding sin and salvation, and living with eternal perspective.

    A child with a biblical worldview will ask:

    • “What does the Bible say about this?”
    • “How does this honor God?”
    • “How should I respond to this truth in my life?”

    As Romans 12:2 exhorts us:

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

    That transformation begins with truth.


    🛡️ The Cultural Storm Our Children Face

    Today’s children face a culture that is constantly messaging them with “truths” that aren’t truth at all. From cartoons to social media, schools to streaming platforms—ideas about gender, identity, morality, success, and self are being pushed at them daily.

    Here are just a few cultural lies children are hearing:

    • “Truth is whatever feels right to you.”
    • “Follow your heart.”
    • “You are your own authority.”
    • “There are no absolutes.”

    God’s Word warns us in Isaiah 5:20,

    “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…”

    And again in Colossians 2:8,

    “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

    The battle is real—but so is our God.


    📖 God’s Design for Parents as Worldview Shapers

    As a homeschooling parent, you are your child’s most influential teacher. That’s by God’s design!

    “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”
    Deuteronomy 6:6–7

    A biblical worldview is caught as much as it is taught. Your daily choices, responses, conversations, and corrections all help shape how your child sees the world.

    Make your home a place where the Word is not only studied—but lived.

    “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
    Ephesians 6:4


    🧠 Teaching Truth with Grace: Real-Life Conversations

    Your child is constantly absorbing messages from the world. That’s why intentional conversation is crucial.

    Here are some practical ways to disciple through worldview moments:

    • Use media as a teaching moment. After a movie, ask: “What was that character’s view of right and wrong? Did it line up with what the Bible says?”
    • Talk about current events. Even young kids can start thinking biblically about headlines, trends, or cultural moments.
    • Ask worldview questions. “What does the Bible say about that?” “Is that what God wants for His people?”
    • Keep a safe space for questions. Your child needs to know it’s okay to ask hard things. Create a home where truth is spoken in love.

    “Always be prepared to give an answer…with gentleness and respect.”
    1 Peter 3:15


    🕯️ Biblical Role Models Who Stood Firm

    The Bible is full of real people who lived in godless cultures—yet remained faithful:

    Daniel

    Taken into Babylon, trained in pagan systems, and even renamed—yet he resolved not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8).
    He didn’t blend in. He stood out—with courage, wisdom, and trust in God.

    Esther

    In a royal palace surrounded by compromise, she bravely used her position to stand for God’s people—“for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

    Paul

    He engaged with philosophers and cultures that worshipped many gods, yet boldly proclaimed Christ (Acts 17:22–31).

    Your child is called to stand strong like them—with conviction and compassion.


    🧩 Building Blocks of a Biblical Worldview Curriculum

    Consider integrating these core themes into your homeschool rhythm:

    • God is Creator – All life has purpose and design. (Genesis 1:1)
    • Truth exists – God’s Word is the standard. (John 17:17)
    • Sin is real – We need a Savior. (Romans 3:23)
    • Jesus redeems – Our hope is in the Gospel. (John 14:6)
    • Identity is in Christ – Not in culture. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
    • Eternity matters – Live for what lasts. (Colossians 3:2)

    These truths can be woven into every subject—Bible, history, science, even math—because God’s truth touches everything.


    🌱 A Final Word of Encouragement

    Teaching your children a biblical worldview isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about walking with them in truth, day by day, and pointing them to Jesus.

    You’re not alone.
    God has given you His Spirit, His Word, and His presence.

    “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
    Galatians 6:9

    “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
    3 John 1:4


    📂 Coming Soon on Christ Schooling:

    Faith-Based Worldview Printables:

    • “What Is Truth?” Discussion Cards
    • Worldview Comparison Chart (Biblical vs. Secular)
    • Identity in Christ Posters
    • Media Discernment Worksheets
    • Bible Verse Copywork Pages

    💡 Available free after the 90-day blog series at www.christschooling.com!