WORLDVIEW MATTERS

Children are like clay. Fresh clay can easily be molded and hold an impression. The longer the clay is exposed to the air, the more difficult it is to mold. Once it has been hardened by time and heat, it takes some pretty severe effort to make an impression.

Research reveals that more than 75% of all decisions for Christ in this country occur before age 21. More than half of those happen by age 12! By the time a child becomes a teenager, their view of reality is pretty well set for life, but by God’s grace. That is why grandparents must take their role as vessels of grace and truth seriously, particularly with the young.

Children entering the public school system are faced with choices daily about their worldview, whether they realize it or not. A post-modern worldview rooted in Darwinism, paganism and individualism will infiltrate nearly every aspect of the instruction they receive and nearly every facet of their life experiences in the world. Absent a context for understanding a biblical worldview where absolute truth is reality, a whole generation will be subject to the curse of captivity to hollow, deceptive philosophies.

Over the next several articles, we will review seven absolute truths that define a biblical worldview and stand in direct conflict with the prevailing worldview of our culture and the rest of the world. Worldview is about how we see reality, which determines the choices we make in life. It is not an irrelevant discussion about personal opinions. It is about being alive to the realities of life that truly set us free to live.

FANNING THE FLAME
We will also explore some practical ways that grandparents can teach and model these truths for their grandchildren, helping them view life through the lens of God’s truth and make right decisions for their lives. My prayer is that it will also be a time for us to examine our own hearts to be sure we have not wandered from the essential truths and realities concerning God, His creation, the condition of man, His redemption and His purposes for our lives, thus sending mixed messages to our children and grandchildren.

GRANDPAUSE: “Our worldview matters, but regardless of what we say it is, it is how we live it that will be heard, and will impact the worldview of the next generation.”