Raising Righteous Roots: Training Your Child With Biblical Wisdom
This is in response to a viewer question: “How do I get my child interested in reading the Bible?”
By Brad Ward, Director, Armor of Truth
In a world where truth, beauty, and goodness are under siege, many parents are waking up to a reality where many of America’s once-trusted institutions have been captured by a global cult of woke utopians. Once bastions of virtue and safety, public schools and the institutional church are now cold dystopian madhouses crumbling under the weight of ideological indoctrination, vapid Common Core curriculum, and moral decline. What was once a shining city on a hill has been transformed into a weak, woke, spiritually confused, virtue-signaling village in a valley.
For many, the world has suddenly become a dark, unfamiliar place. As parents confront these challenges, they are increasingly seeking guidance on protecting and empowering their families against these strange new threats. Parents who recognize the spiritual nature of our current crisis realize the importance of fostering a closer relationship with God for their children. The typical question is, How do I get my child interested in reading the Bible? But is this the right question? As a parent, you must wisely consider your limitations. Can even the most vigilant and loving parent cause a child to be sincerely interested in anything?
A Word on homeschooling:
This abrupt insurgence of darkness has pressured parents to find alternatives to the status quo. From 2019 to 2021, homeschooling saw a nearly 20% increase in the U.S. and continues to grow at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum. Published research reveals that, by adulthood, homeschooled children internalize their parents' values and beliefs at a high rate and show above-average social, emotional, and psychological development, including self-esteem, leadership skills, and social and family cohesion. For more information on the benefits of homeschooling, see the resource links below (Research Facts on Homeschooling, 2024).
However, private school or homeschooling may not be immediately feasible for your family.
What then?
I believe if we’re going to provide a response that best serves the needs of our day regarding the spiritual growth and protection of our children and families, we need to ask a better question and address its answer to both homeschoolers and parents with children in public school. The better question is: How do I love my family as Christ loved the church? The answer is not esoteric. God has spoken abundantly and with great clarity on the matter. Therefore, let us seek all wisdom in Him.
Our goal in this article is to inform and inspire today's parents to foster a robust spiritual life at home, ensuring that their children are not only shielded from harmful influences but also flourish in their faith and character. The Bible is the foundation of faith and practice for Christians. In it, God, The Holy Spirit, has revealed all the answers we need for ourselves, our families, and any situation we encounter. Read this article with your Bible open and your heart submitted to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we delve into practical, biblically grounded strategies for leading your family with conviction and grace in these tumultuous times.
Where do I start?
It is our profound joy to receive such a profound question. Knowing that parents are seeking ways to bestow God’s eternal wisdom on their children is a great encouragement. We need that—we need lots of that. Therefore, let's begin in Colossians 3, where The Holy Spirit has revealed our starting point.
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. …Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:1-2,16-17)
Parents, Christ is your foundation. The Christian life is founded on the reality of Christ's resurrection. Living in a manner that reflects our raised status means leaving behind old ways (as Christ left behind the tomb), focusing on service (as Christ served His disciples), and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. Your child must know that Christ is real and that He lived and gave His life as the final sacrifice for the sins of those who believe. To teach children well, parents, you must first set your minds on things above, directing your thoughts and aspirations towards the values and realities of heaven, where the resurrected Jesus Christ reigns. When we begin our day with these thoughts, return to these thoughts throughout the day, and end our day with thoughts of our resurrected King and what He has achieved and given to those who believe, we are inoculating our minds and hearts from the infection of darkness that has spread throughout the world. Your sons and daughters must be taught this, too, and that walking with Christ daily is not complicated — teach them to simply think of Christ, His life, His resurrection, and His teaching. This is how we teach them to have a heavenly focus. There is no need to complicate it. If we familiarize our children with these concepts early in life, we are equipping them to stand firm against the ridicule that will surely come from teachers, professors, or peers for whom the gospel is foolish. And it will certainly come.
Of course, for your child to be able to think about Christ and His teaching, you must teach your child about Christ. YOU must teach them. It is your duty. This is called discipleship, and it also is not at all complicated. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you means that we must first spend time in His word daily. Then, we can guide our children in the Word and model the behavior of the daily practice of faith.
Note: No Scripture commands parents to “get your child interested in reading the Bible,” which you couldn’t do anyway. Only the Holy Spirit can change a heart of stone to flesh and cause a love of the Scriptures to blossom within your son or daughter. As a faithful parent, your responsibility is to seek the Lord daily and train your child according to the Lord’s perfect precepts.
Your starting point is the resurrected Living Lord Jesus Christ—not the best child-rearing book, not the neatest cartoon, not the best YouTube influencer, not Jordan Peterson, not the advice of secular educators, and certainly not social media. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, teaching, guiding, and praising, thankfully, in the name of Christ.
A Special Message To Fathers:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
Hey Dad! It’s your responsibility to shape your child's spiritual growth. While fathers often take on the role of disciplinarian, it’s crucial to balance this with gentleness. Paul's admonition, "Do not provoke your children," emphasizes the importance of nurturing love and respect through a gentle approach. Discipline should be more than correction; it should also direct your children towards God’s teachings. Lead your family in daily Bible study, worship, and prayer. Engage with them through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and remember, just like you, your children are immersed in a corrosive culture that wants them to submit to the way of death, and if you don’t train them, the culture will (see Luke 6:40). The Lord has promised that a vibrant and dynamic worship life that celebrates and internalizes God's presence and truths at home will equip your child to stand firm against whatever darkness may come from life in a corrosive culture that celebrates depravity. Dad, your role is vital to your child’s spiritual condition; embrace it joyfully!
Marriage forms the lives of children
At the end of Colossians chapter 3, we’re given the picture of how a faithful family works. God designed the family unit with order, specific roles, and responsibilities that reflect His wisdom and goodness.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. (Colossians 3:18-21)
Submission in this context is about fulfilling a role within God’s designed structure. Wives are urged to submit to their husbands, not as a sign of inferiority, but in recognition of a divinely instituted order. 1 Peter 3:7 commands husbands to “live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel…” To live every moment with her, to protect and honor her. As Paul taught in Ephesians 5, “husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28). A true husband understands the essential unity of marriage, that God has bound the two together as one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Marriage is a deep, inseparable union that transcends the physical world and reflects a profound spiritual and emotional connection, a lifelong, exclusive relationship. It is a husband’s purpose to understand his wife, to know her heart, her strengths, and weaknesses, to disciple her personally, to nurture her as a precious gift from God, and to make her feel honored as she submits to him.
In ancient Roman culture, a wife had virtually no rights in the marriage. All the duties and obligations in marriage were put on the wife. God’s design for marriage was a radical teaching in that the husband has God-ordained duties and obligations toward his wife. A godly husband realizes that she is not only his wife but also his sister in Christ and part of their inheritance in the Lord is realized in their oneness as husband and wife. Failure to live sacrificially as a godly husband has spiritual consequences—it can and will hinder prayer (1 Peter 3:7). Anything that hinders prayer must be wrong and demands immediate repentance and reconciliation.
The command for husbands to "love your wives, as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25) sets the highest possible standard using Christ's selfless and sacrificial love for the Church as the model. It means that husbands must love their wives selflessly, prioritizing their well-being, and caring for them regardless of the circumstances. This type of love goes beyond the modern Western idea of affection or eros. The love husbands are commanded to give their wives is the same kind of love Christ gave to his Bride, agape love: a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for the other, regardless of personal cost. It involves a deep commitment, for the husband to act in the best interest of his wife, promoting her spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being above all else. Therefore a husband’s love for his wife is unconditional, it is not based on merit or performance but founded on commitment and choice. A true husband demonstrates this love by his willingness to sacrifice everything, including his life, for her well-being.
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Just as the church is the safe haven for Christ’s sheep in the world, a God-honoring marriage is a nurturing and protective environment for wives and children where love is not merely felt but actively demonstrated. Although wives submit to their husbands, submission still goes both ways on matters not affecting doctrine or covenant. This is comparable to the respect and deference shown in military rankings, where order and authority are essential yet do not necessarily reflect any individual's personal worth or abilities. Order and selflessness are crucial for the overall health and function of the family unit.
The cornerstone of marital harmony, this kind of love provides a model for children, showcasing a love that mirrors Christ’s love for the Church—a nurturing and considerate love and a sweetness ensuring that the exercise of authority is not harsh but loving, tempered with kindness and empathy, preventing bitterness and resentment. Research has shown that children of such families experience less anxiety and find it much easier to integrate into society and become influences for good.
The structure of authority and submission within the family serves as a protective barrier against the negative influences of the world. Children raised in homes where roles are respected and love is abundantly practiced are more likely to develop a robust moral and spiritual foundation. They learn obedience and respect for authority from their parents' example, which Proverbs 22:6 highlights as essential for a life that remains true to godly principles.
In an atmosphere where submission and love are modeled in the context of divine order, children are equipped to resist the moral relativism and corruption pervasive in society. The consistency of this upbringing, grounded in scriptural truths, ensures that children are not only taught but are also shown how to live out these principles in a world that often stands in opposition to them.
In the biblical model of the family unit, each member has a role that encourages personal growth, and familial harmony and guards against the encroaching darkness of the world. The family, therefore, is not just a sanctuary of love and respect but also a training ground where future generations are equipped to stand firm in their faith and values.
All of Christ for all of life:
The principle of All of Christ for all of life captures a comprehensive vision of Christian discipleship that insists on the sovereignty of Jesus Christ over every aspect of life, not just the private or spiritual realms. This principle can be understood as advocating for the application of Christ's lordship and teachings in every sphere—personal, familial, societal, and cultural.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:16-18)
Christian parents are to honor Christ in their:
Personal Life — Christians are called to live out their faith in every daily interaction and decision, embodying Christ’s teachings.
Family and Relationships — Families are to nurture and disciple each other in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord, reflecting Christ’s love and grace.
Culture and Society — Engaging in societal structures and cultural creation with a mindset that honors Christ’s teachings, promoting justice, mercy, and truth.
Vocation and Work — Viewing work as a form of worship and a means to serve Christ by demonstrating excellence, integrity, and stewardship.
All of Christ for all of life is a holistic call to practice the Christian faith without compartmentalization, recognizing and submitting to Jesus Christ’s authority in every aspect of life and culture. It is a call to comprehensive discipleship that integrates faith with action across all dimensions of human experience.
What is wisdom?
In response to the urgent need of our day, it is crucial to return to foundational truths that have guided parents through similar challenges throughout history. The Book of Proverbs is a genre of Scripture known as Wisdom Literature that offers timeless counsel in guidance and practical insights on living a good, moral, meaningful life and pursuing wisdom. For example, Proverbs 9:10 teaches that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that living according to God's will is crucial for understanding. It may seem counterintuitive to the way of the world, but wisdom is not discovered or deduced logically. Wisdom is a relationship with The One who is truth. True wisdom that pleases God is rooted in a right relationship with Him characterized by reverence and obedience. For men who lead their families well, this essential truth must be conveyed to your family because this is the foundation for knowledge and understanding.
A major stone in the foundation of Christian parenting is to train your child early in life to know that the universe is not chaotic but was designed and sustained for a purpose, that he or she is not a cosmic accident, that we are not animals living by our instincts, that this life has meaning and purpose, and that there is a right way to go and a wrong way to go.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
The Book of Proverbs often presents the concept of the way as the path of wisdom and life in contrast to the way of folly and destruction (Proverbs 22:5). “The way he should go” implies that a parent must learn his child’s specific strengths and weaknesses. God knows every intimate detail about you; therefore, your duty is to know your child’s fears, joys, deepest longings, abilities, and limitations. Your child bears the image of God and has God-given attributes that make him or her unique. As the husband is commanded to understand his wife, parents must also understand their child’s individuality without respecting obstinacy or the desire we all have to live by our own rules.
No two children are alike, and God has entrusted you with the care of one of His precious imagers. Your responsibility is to find out what makes your child unique and develop those characteristics in dedication to God. You must gently train, nurture, teach, and discipline your son or daughter as God's child. We are all born in rebellion, and even though your child’s nature is sinful and he or she may turn from your teaching and take up with villains (Proverbs 2:11-15) and seducers (Proverbs 5:11-14) and perhaps depart for a season, in principle, when children are trained in the proper way, The Holy Spirit is faithful to instill godly qualities within them so that he or she will return to the truth.
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Remember that this portion of Scripture is written to a young man, namely King David, training his son Solomon. This section of Scripture also teaches us that the child is responsible for his own moral choices (Proverbs 1:4). Sadly, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, stopped listening to instruction and strayed from the knowledge given to him by his father (Proverbs 19:27). The immediate application of this teaching is that every person is accountable to God for his own actions. But it is the responsibility of parents to devote themselves to the righteous training of their children.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
It is the duty of the Christian parent to make spiritual instruction a natural part of every day. Fathers, once again, let us be clear: It is your responsibility to lead your family in worship and the study of God’s word—you, men, are responsible for the spiritual instruction of everyone in your household.
Arrows in the hands of a warrior
In the ancient world, arrows were essential for protection and hunting—they needed to be crafted carefully and skillfully to be effective. The Bible uses this imagery to describe well-trained children.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. He will not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:4-5)
Arrows in the hands of a warrior represents the potential benefit to society that children raised with care, wisdom, and godly instruction can embody when properly trained and guided by faithful parents. Children with strength, direction, and purpose are prepared to make significant impacts in their communities and beyond. In contrast to our culture, which sees children as burdened to be managed, the Bible describes having multiple children as an even bigger blessing, as they provide support and strength to the family, especially when their parents have aged and grown weaker. Children are like arrows shot into the future, they extend the influence and values of their families well beyond the immediate generation.
The second half of the verse highlights the social and civic role of children. When this text was written, the city gate was like a modern courtroom where legal matters were discussed and settled, and community decisions were made. Having wise and capable children provided a man with honor and support in public affairs, helping to defend his interests and represent his household well. Diligently raising children according to God’s design and equipping them to face life's challenges successfully conserves traditional values and preserves the good in society.
Your faithful duty:
In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he refers to the young pastor’s upbringing, which underscores the value of knowing the Scriptures from an early age for spiritual wisdom and maturity.
And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
In the Psalms, God teaches us that it is the responsibility of one generation to pass on the knowledge of God’s deeds and commandments to the next, ensuring that pure unadulterated faith continues. God always leaves a witness.
We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done...That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children. (Psalm 78:4-6)
Your most important duty as a parent is to establish a pattern of intentional, consistent scriptural education in your children's daily lives. This will nurture faith, moral integrity, and wisdom in them and encourage a lifelong commitment to God's teachings. Leading and nurturing your family’s spiritual growth is God's command and your privilege. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is through intentional, worshipful, daily family devotions where the truths of God's life-changing Word are openly discussed chapter by chapter.
Parents, the world is competing for your child’s attention, and whether your child is in public school, private school, or homeschooled, you are responsible for ensuring that they are trained properly. Not the state, not the school board; not someone on YouTube, and not a cartoon series. The buck stops with you. You will answer to God for the spiritual condition of your children. You are responsible for keeping your child unstained by the world (James 1:27).
A call to all Christians:
God has tasked parents with the primary responsibility of educating their children, ensuring their learning is deeply rooted in a biblical worldview. To protect our children and honor Christ, we must uphold a rigorous model of home-based biblical education to prepare the next generation of Christians to faithfully navigate and influence the world.
Voddie Baucham emphasizes that all education transmits a specific worldview, advocating for a Christ-centered education that counters secular ideologies prevalent in public schools. This approach aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), extending discipleship into education by integrating faith across all knowledge and life areas.
Practically, this means promoting a curriculum that combines spiritual, academic, and social development, encouraging critical thinking and cultural engagement from a Christian perspective. As stated in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, parents must weave God’s commandments into everyday life, making the home the primary venue for spiritual and moral education.
Education should be tailored to foster each child's moral and spiritual growth, recognizing the long-term effects on their life's path (Proverbs 22:6). Baucham argues that outsourcing this duty to secular institutions contradicts God's design, with the family ordained as the essential societal unit for transmitting faith and values.
Christians must take back educational responsibility from the state, ensuring the community supports one another in this mission. We advocate for an education that adheres to biblical principles, preparing children to live out their faith in the world. This vision extends beyond academics; it's a theological commitment to fostering wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).
Soli Deo Gloria
Notes, References, Sources, and Links:
Baucham, V., Jr. (2011). Family driven faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God. Crossway.
More teens are turning away from the faith than ever before: it is estimated that 75 to 88% of Christian teens walk away from Christianity by the end of their freshman year of college. Something must be done. Family Driven Faith equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family society. Voddie Baucham, who with his wife has overcome a multi-generational legacy of broken and dysfunctional homes, shows that God has not left us alone in raising godly children. He has given us timeless precepts and principles for multi-generational faithfulness, especially in Deuteronomy 6. God’s simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of Family Driven Faith.
Beeke, J. R., Barrett, M., Bilkes, J., & Smalley, P. (2016). Family Worship Bible Guide. Reformation Heritage Books. https://www.christianbook.com/family-worship-bible-guide/9781601785008/pd/785008
Leading and nurturing your family as you seek to glorify God and encourage spiritual growth in your home is both God’s command and your privilege. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is through intentional, worshipful, daily family devotions where the truths of God’s life-changing Word are openly discussed chapter by chapter. Hand in hand with your Bible, this Family Worship Bible Guide presents rich devotional thoughts on all 1,189 chapters in the Bible, including searching questions to promote conversation, to help you with this responsibility. Use this resource every day alongside Scripture to read each chapter’s major takeaways aloud and then discuss them with your family. With the Holy Spirit’s blessing, this book will transform you and your family!
Vos, C. F. (1976). The Child’s Story Bible: New Testament. Banner of Truth.
The Child's Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos is an updated edition of the original that was published in 1935. It is excellent for parents to use when leading worship for younger children, but is also meant for children 7 years and older to read by themselves. This new edition features color illustrations that appeal to the interest and imagination of children without sacrificing fidelity to the text of Scripture. Stories are used to build a child’s understanding of doctrinal truths by uniting the element of enjoyment with instruction. Note: While there are illustrations, there are no images of Christ throughout the text. This is an excellent feature of this book because what we do not want to do is introduce our children to a cartoonish version of Christ. It is very important that children understand that there is one, and only one, Jesus Christ, and He is found in the inspired text of Scripture.
Research facts on homeschooling. (2024, February 9). National Home Education Research Institute. RESEARCH FACTS ON HOMESCHOOLING
Brian D. Ray, Ph.D.
February 9, 2024 Copyright © 2024 National Home Education Research Institute
This article gives key research facts on homeschooling
General Facts, Statistics, and Trends
There were about 3.1 million homeschool students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States (roughly 6% of school-age children). There were about 2.5 million homeschool students in spring 2019 (or 3% to 4% of school-age children) [note 1]. The homeschool population had been growing at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum over the past several years, but it grew drastically from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021.
Homeschooling – that is, parent-led home-based education; home education – is an age-old traditional educational practice that a decade ago appeared to be cutting-edge and “alternative” but is now bordering on “mainstream” in the United States. It may be the fastest-growing form of education in the United States. Home-based education has also been growing around the world in many other nations (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, Japan, Kenya, Russia, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Kingdom).
A demographically wide variety of people homeschool – these are atheists, Christians, and Mormons; conservatives, libertarians, and liberals; low-, middle-, and high-income families; black, Hispanic, and white; parents with Ph.D.s, GEDs, and no high-school diplomas. One nationwide study shows that 41% of homeschool students are Black, Asian, Hispanic, and others (i.e., not White/non-Hispanic) (U.S. Department of Education, 2019).
Taxpayers spend an average of $16,446 per pupil annually in public schools, plus capital expenditures (National Education Association, 2023). The roughly 3.1 million homeschool students of 2021-22 represented a savings of over $51 billion for taxpayers. This is $51 billion that American taxpayers did not have to spend.
Taxpayers spend nothing on the vast majority of homeschool students, while homeschool families spend an average of $600 per student annually for their education. Families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children’s education.
Homeschooling is quickly growing in popularity among minorities. About 41% of homeschool families are non-white/non-Hispanic (i.e., not white/Anglo).
It is estimated that over 9 million Americans had experienced being homeschooled as of February of 2020.
For more homeschool research and more in-depth interpretation of research, media, journalists, and others please contact:
National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)
PO Box 13939 Salem OR 97309 USA
tel. (503) 364‑1490 mail@nheri.org www.nheri.org
Copyright © 2024 by National Home Education Research Institute
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