A Biblical Worldview Won’t Happen by Accident
October 31, 2023
Katherine Schultz
In a world increasingly dealing with conflicting ideologies, I can’t overstate the importance of a biblical worldview for Christians. It is the lens through which we perceive reality. It’s the source of our moral decisions. And it’s the guide for every aspect of life. But it’s easy to absorb a worldview from whatever is around us. If we surround ourselves with people who are grounded in the timeless wisdom of Scripture, our worldview will much more likely be biblical. But if we surround ourselves with people who are more interested in this world, our worldview will be like theirs, too. Let’s explore the dangers of an accidental worldview, the need to deliberately teach a biblical worldview, and the fruit that arises from such intentional teaching.
As Christians, our faith is built upon the solid foundation of God’s Word. In Psalm 119:105, we read, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” We should be viewing everything in the world through the lens of Scripture. Because a biblical worldview helps us understand God and aligns our beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes with His Word, will, and wisdom.
The Dangers of an Accidental Worldview
Our beliefs may be in danger from an accidental worldview. One of the dangers we and our students face is the influence of secular culture. We will eventually come to believe what we focus our attention on. Romans 12:2 warns us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If we focus on this world, that will be what we conform to. But if we focus on God’s word, he will transform us, and renew our minds. Without a deliberate biblical worldview, we may unknowingly adopt secular values that contradict our faith.
Our behaviors may also be in danger from an accidental worldview. We want to avoid moral relativism. Proverbs 14:12 reminds us, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” It’s easy to adopt the way of the culture around us if we don’t pay attention. Without a biblical worldview, we risk making moral decisions based on society’s trends rather than God’s unchanging truth.
And our attitudes may be in danger from an accidental worldview. A shallow faith can result from neglecting the development of a biblical worldview. Ephesians 4:14 warns against being “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching.” A deep, biblical understanding provides a solid foundation for our faith, and grounds our attitudes more deeply than mere emotional reactions. We can rely on our God because we are in ongoing communication with him through his Word, and he is directing our steps by his Word, and through the Holy Spirit.
Deliberately Teaching a Biblical Worldview
The Bible calls us to intentionally embrace and teach a biblical worldview. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God directs his people, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.” We have to recognize the essential importance of passing on God’s truth to the next generation.
Parents, pastors, and teachers play a crucial role. Proverbs 22:6 encourages us, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” We want children to have wisdom and discernment, but this only happens by deliberate steps on the part of the adults in each child’s life. And those steps need to be openly, deeply, explicitly, and constantly rooted in the Bible.
Discipleship is at the heart of a biblical worldview. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Discipleship means we must intentionally help people to gain a biblical perspective. We have to be constantly directing them back to the Bible as the source of everything about their worldview so that they become mature disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Fruit of Deliberate Biblical Worldview Teaching
A biblical worldview provides believers with a strong foundation for their faith. Colossians 2:7 encourages us to be “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith.” This solid footing helps us overcome the challenges that come as part of life on this earth. In a secular world filled with disagreements on every side, a biblical worldview can be our moral compass and our source of hope. Romans 12:2 reminds us that we can be “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Discerning the will of God sounds like a good idea to me. And we should remember that it’s not only about this life. Our biblical worldview goes with us into eternity, too.
Now What?
Developing a mature biblical worldview is essential for Christians. It informs our beliefs, guides our actions, and corrects our attitudes. By recognizing the dangers of accidental worldviews, teaching deliberately, and experiencing the fruits of intentional discipleship, we can live life with joy, and look forward to eternity in God’s presence.
If you don’t have a good understanding of your own, or your students’ worldviews, please take time to gain that understanding with a tool like the 3-D Worldview Survey.
- What Is the 3-D Worldview Survey?
- Take the 3-D Worldview for yourself
And if you haven’t yet used the 3-D Worldview Survey with your class, check out the pdf below for some questions to get you started.
#3dworldview #teachingworldview #assessingworldview
