The RenewaNation Review 2020 The Collingsworth Family Special Edition | Page 10

I summarize the biblical worldview in four words:
creation, rebellion, salvation, and restoration. These
four biblical truths create a foundation that allows future
faith-building to develop and answers the big questions
of life.
CREATION: God made the world good (Gen 1:1). God
is the sole source of all things (Col 1:16). God created every-
thing for His glory and our enjoyment. Where did the world
come from? What is my purpose in life? What does it mean to
be human? What is God’s design for manhood and woman-
hood? What is marriage?
REBELLION: Sin made the world groan (Rom 3:23).
There was a great rebellion against the Creator, resulting in
sin, which distorts our ability to understand the world apart
from God’s restoring grace (Gen 2; Rom 3:23). Sin makes
us blind and deaf. Sin separates us from God, brought the
entire world under a curse, and results in eternal punish-
ment for those who reject Christ. What is true? What is sin?
What is wrong with the world? Why do I suffer?
SALVATION: Jesus paid the penalty for sin (John 3:16).
Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin. Jesus is the
way, the truth, and the life. He reversed the effects of the fall.
We are called to walk in obedience and not to be conformed
to the world but be transformed by the renewing of the mind
(Rom 12:1-2). Our goal is Christ-like maturity (Col 1:28-29)
and training for godliness (1 Tim 4:7). What is the gospel?
Who is Jesus? What must a person do to be saved? What is
discipleship? How do I make wise choices? How should I live?
RESTORATION: God will make the world new (2 Cor
5:17). Jesus conquered sin and death. We have hope in the
living God who will restore all things and create a new heav-
en and earth where He reigns forever with no more pain or
sadness (Rev 21:1-5). God didn’t just save us from some-
thing; He also saved us for something—to resume the task
for which we were originally created. We serve God by using
the gifts He gave us. We bring Him glory when we reflect His
character to others. Running a business, teaching students,
and managing a home are not secondary activities but doing
God’s work in the world. Our vocation is not something we
do for God; it is a way to participate in God’s work. Living
in light of eternity reminds us that life has a greater purpose
than our own happiness. Joy is found when we love and
obey Jesus. How can I be happy? Where do I find hope and
joy? What happens after death? Is there anything worth living
for? How should I use my time, talents, and treasures?
The secular world aggressively opposes these foundation-
al truths and is actively trying to convince young people
to embrace a different belief system, which will ultimately
destroy their faith in Christ. Children are confronted with
a secular worldview on a daily basis through media, from
peers, and in education, which can be summarized as secu-
lar humanism (man is god) with a growing appreciation for
socialism (government is god). Humanism replaces God’s
big story with these four words: evolution, relativism, athe-
ism, and materialism. If the world’s big lies are internalized,
they become faith-busting beliefs, and young people walk
away from Jesus.
Worldview is concerned with truth. If we want children
to know the truth, live according to the way, and have eter-
nal life, then worldview should matter to us. Worldview is
discipleship that shapes what a young person believes, how
he or she lives, and where each child will spend eternity.
Worldview’s main focus is the evangelism and discipleship
of young people. The question is: who is evangelizing and
discipling your child, and what beliefs are shaping them?
TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLDVIEW OF YOUR
CHILD, CONSIDER THREE QUESTIONS:
“Unless children are
well-grounded in Scripture,
they will look more like
culture than Christ.”
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• What does your child believe to be true? Do you
know what your child believes about the Bible, Jesus,
marriage, gender, hell, and salvation? It should be the
goal of every parent, grandparent, pastor, and teacher to
shape the beliefs of children from the Bible.
• What authority shapes those beliefs? Every child will
look to an authority to determine truth. The authority
the child chooses will determine what the child believes