Biblical Worldview in Education:

Teaching Children to Think Biblically

Introduction

Education is never neutral. Every form of education—whether secular or religious—imparts a worldview, shaping how children perceive truth, morality, and reality. In contemporary society, many educational systems operate from a secular or humanistic framework, subtly (or overtly) shaping young minds to adopt perspectives that are often at odds with biblical truth.

For Christian parents, educators, and homeschoolers, the task is clear: we must intentionally train children to think biblically. This means equipping them with a biblical worldview—one that sees all of life through the lens of Scripture. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This training must include intellectual and moral development, shaping not only what children know but also how they reason and engage with the world.

What Is a Biblical Worldview?

A worldview is the framework through which individuals interpret reality. A biblical worldview is one in which all of life—education, work, relationships, science, and history—is understood in light of God’s revealed truth in Scripture.

According to George Barna, only 9% of Christians in America hold a truly biblical worldview, meaning they filter all aspects of life through biblical principles. The situation is similar in Africa, where modern education is often deeply influenced by Western secularism.

If Christian children are not taught to see the world through the lens of Scripture, they will unconsciously adopt the dominant culture’s values.

A biblical worldview answers the fundamental questions of life:

• Who is God? (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17)

• What is truth? (John 17:17)

• What is the purpose of life? (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

• What is the nature of humanity? (Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23)

• What is right and wrong? (Isaiah 5:20, Psalm 119:9-11)

If these questions are answered by secularism rather than Scripture, children will inevitably drift away from biblical truth.

The Crisis of Modern Education

Many modern educational institutions operate from an anti-Christian worldview, teaching children that truth is relative, morality is subjective, and God is irrelevant. Even in Africa, where Christianity is deeply embedded in culture, educational institutions frequently reflect secular, materialistic, or even animistic influences rather than biblical truth.

Consider the following ways in which secular education contradicts a biblical worldview:

• Origins: Secular education promotes evolutionary theory as fact, denying the biblical teaching of creation (Genesis 1:1).

• Morality: Relativism teaches that right and wrong are determined by personal or societal preferences rather than God’s absolute standards (Isaiah 5:20).

• Purpose: Students are taught that success is measured by wealth, status, and self-fulfillment, not by glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

• Logic and Reasoning: Critical thinking is often framed within humanistic or postmodern assumptions rather than objective biblical truth (Colossians 2:8).

If Christian parents and educators do not intentionally counter these false teachings, children will absorb them as truth.

How to Teach Children to Think Biblically

To train children to think biblically, parents and educators must integrate biblical truth into every subject, not just Bible studies. Here are some practical ways to do this:

1. Root Education in Scripture

The Bible must be the foundation of all learning. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands parents:

"These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

This means education must not be compartmentalized into “spiritual” subjects (like Bible study) and “secular” subjects (like science or history). Every subject must be taught in a way that acknowledges God’s sovereignty. For example:

• Science: Show how God designed the universe with order and purpose (Psalm 19:1).

• History: Teach how God’s providence has shaped nations (Daniel 2:21).

• Mathematics: Highlight how absolute truth exists because God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33).

2. Teach Logic from a Biblical Perspective

Many Christian students lose their faith in college because they were taught what to believe but not why they believe it. They need to develop logical reasoning skills that enable them to defend their faith against secular ideologies (1 Peter 3:15).

For example:

• Instead of simply memorizing Bible verses, children should learn how to analyze worldviews in light of Scripture.

• They should be exposed to secular ideas and trained in apologetics to counter them biblically.

3. Encourage a Love for Truth and Wisdom

In Proverbs 4:7, Solomon declares, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

True wisdom is not found in degrees or academic success but in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Parents and educators must instill in children a love for truth, teaching them to value wisdom over mere knowledge. This involves:

• Teaching them to discern truth from deception.

• Encouraging humility and a teachable spirit.

• Fostering a love for deep, reflective thinking rather than shallow entertainment.

4. Model a Biblical Worldview in Everyday Life

Children learn more from watching than from being lectured. If parents and teachers want children to develop a biblical worldview, they must model it in their own lives. This means:

• Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and humility.

• Making decisions based on biblical principles.

• Engaging culture with wisdom instead of conforming to secular norms (Romans 12:2).

5. Use Classical Christian Education Methods

A classical Christian education provides one of the most effective ways to train children to think biblically. This method, based on the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric), equips students to reason logically, articulate truth persuasively, and defend the faith effectively. African Christian educators can adapt this approach by integrating:

• African history and literature within a biblical framework.

• Oral storytelling traditions to communicate biblical truths.

• Rhetoric training to develop articulate Christian leaders.

Conclusion

Teaching children to think biblically is not an option—it is a biblical mandate. If we fail to instill a biblical worldview in the next generation, they will unconsciously adopt secular ideologies that lead them away from God. However, if we root education in Scripture, train children in logical thinking, and model a Christ-centered life, we can raise a generation that sees all of life through the lens of God’s truth.

Christian parents, educators, and homeschoolers in Africa have a unique opportunity to shape the future by reclaiming biblical education. May we be faithful stewards of the children God has entrusted to us, ensuring that their minds and hearts are anchored in His eternal Word.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." (Romans 12:2).

Deve Fasam is a Nigerian theologian, seminary lecturer, and microbiologist passionate about integrating faith and education. With a background in both theology and the sciences, he equips students and pastors to think Christianly and engage the world with biblical wisdom. His work focuses on biblical worldview formation, classical Christian education, biblical manhood and apologetics, particularly within the African context.