Equipping the Ill-Equipped: Teaching Biblical Worldview amidst Personal Uncertainty
May 14, 2024
Katherine Schultz
It’s a common struggle to feel ill-equipped to teach Biblical Worldview. And it’s common to feel personally uncertain because teaching biblical worldview is a big responsibility in kingdom work. Afterall, “not many should presume to be teachers” (James 3:1). It’s important to persevere and rely on God’s guidance in such circumstances. But in the midst of these uncertainties, there is hope and guidance to be found: “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). You can learn to teach a biblical worldview with confidence.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
In my early teaching days, I experienced a profound shift in understanding. What began as a limited view confined to church settings or religious activities expanded into a holistic understanding of worldview. Colleagues engaged me in transformative conversations, challenging me to reconsider what it truly means to follow Jesus. This sparked a journey of self-discovery and a newfound realization that loving Jesus extends to every aspect of life.
Proverbs 1:5 emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning: “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” This sentiment captures the essence of my journey—a humble acknowledgment of my limitations and a commitment to ongoing growth.
As I delved deeper into graduate studies focused on worldview, teaching a biblical worldview evolved from a task to a calling—a precious responsibility to guide students in understanding their faith’s implications for daily life.
I’m grateful for the contributions of colleagues, mentors, and students. Their impact fuels my commitment to teaching biblical worldview with humility, grace, and unwavering dedication to truth.
Leverage Available Resources
Practical steps for utilizing available resources such as books, online courses, and mentorship programs:
When it comes to teaching biblical worldview, having access to a variety of resources can greatly enhance your effectiveness as an educator. Books, both scholarly and practical, can provide valuable insights into the foundational principles of biblical worldview and offer practical strategies for integrating these principles into your teaching curriculum. Online courses and seminars can offer structured learning opportunities tailored to your specific needs and areas of interest. Additionally, seeking mentorship from experienced educators who have a strong grasp of a biblical worldview can provide invaluable guidance and support as you navigate the challenges of teaching in today’s educational landscape.
Embrace Vulnerability
Be honest and transparent with students about personal struggles and uncertainties. Share the value of vulnerability in building authentic connections and trust: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
It’s okay to acknowledge your own limitations and uncertainties as a teacher of biblical worldview. In fact, embracing vulnerability can be a powerful tool for building authentic connections with your students and fostering an environment of trust and openness in the classroom. By sharing your own struggles and uncertainties, you can demonstrate to your students that it’s okay to wrestle with difficult questions and that growth and learning often come through facing and overcoming challenges together.
Start with the Gospel and Grow from There
Start by focusing on foundational truths of the Gospel. As you become more confident, expand your teaching to other aspects of worldview: “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God” (Hebrews 6:1).
At the heart of teaching biblical worldview is the Gospel message—the good news of Jesus Christ. This foundational truth forms the bedrock upon which all other aspects of biblical worldview are built. As you begin your journey of teaching biblical worldview, start by grounding your students in the fundamental truths of the Gospel—their need for salvation, the reality of sin, the atoning work of Christ, and the hope of eternal life through faith in Him. From there, you can gradually expand your teaching to explore other aspects of worldview, such as the nature of God, the purpose of human existence, and the principles of Christian ethics. Be intentional, and have confidence in your students’ ability to exceed what you give them as they submit their own lives to Christ.
Be Teachable, Particularly by God
Make time for continuous self-reflection. Be willing to learn from mistakes. Seek feedback and constructive criticism from others, including colleagues and students. Spend time in the Word so you grow in confidence of the truth, and develop a mature biblical worldview yourself: “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning” (Proverbs 9:9).
Teaching biblical worldview is a journey of continual growth and learning. As educators, it’s important to remain humble and open to feedback, recognizing that there is always room for growth and improvement. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”.
Make time for regular self-reflection, examining your teaching practices and identifying areas where you can refine your approach. Seek out feedback from colleagues, students, and mentors, welcoming constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. Most importantly, spend time in prayer and study of God’s Word, seeking His wisdom and guidance as you strive to develop a mature and biblically grounded worldview yourself.
Encouragement through Community
Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow believers. Engage in mutual encouragement and accountability found within Christian fellowship. Network within the Christian community for support and guidance as 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encourages us: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Teaching a biblical worldview can be a challenging and sometimes lonely endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. By surrounding yourself with a supportive community of fellow believers, you can find encouragement, accountability, and practical support to help you navigate the joys and challenges of teaching in today’s world. Whether it’s through joining a Christian educators’ association, participating in online forums and discussion groups like our (free!) Christian Worldview Educators Facebook Group, or connecting with like-minded colleagues for coffee and conversation, seek out opportunities to build relationships with others who share your passion for teaching biblical worldview.
Celebrate Small Victories
Celebrating progress, no matter how small, is important to your development as a teacher of biblical worldview. Remember Philippians 1:6, which says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
In your professional growth as a teacher of biblical worldview, it’s important to celebrate the small victories along the way.
Whether it’s a breakthrough moment in a classroom discussion, a student’s newfound understanding of a biblical truth, or simply a day where everything seems to click into place, take time to pause and celebrate these moments of progress and growth. By acknowledging and celebrating the small victories, you can cultivate a spirit of gratitude and encouragement that will sustain you through the inevitable challenges and setbacks of teaching in today’s world.
Progress may not be apparent until students contact you years later. Be faithful. And remember that God is at work, in you and in your students.
Now What?
Spend time reflecting on your own experience of teaching biblical worldview. Implement some of the practical strategies from what you’ve read here or in the links. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We are convinced of the immediate relevance of developing a 3-dimensional and biblical worldview in students so that they have a firm foundation of beliefs that they live out in their daily behavior as they continue with an attitude that orients their heart toward the Lord Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
- How do I know the 3DWS is right for my students?
- Comparing Worldview Assessment Tools
- What Is the 3-D Worldview Survey?
- Take the 3-D Worldview for yourself
If you haven’t yet used the 3-D Worldview Survey with your class, check out the pdf below for some sample questions to get you started.
#3dworldview #biblicalworldview #teachingworldview
