Forming a Biblical Worldview
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV
On Saturday, our family will leave for a trip to Kentucky. We are going specifically to visit the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter over Thanksgiving week. As my oldest daughter nears graduation time in May 2019, this is something of sort of a bucket list trip before she leaves for college.
I’m excited for this trip. Not only because it is a vacation in our RV or because it is going to be cold (seriously it is going to be in the 80s Thanksgiving week here in Florida) but because of the Biblical worldview we will actually get to experience at an attraction. I have been a huge proponent of teaching Genesis as a foundation and as a family we adhere to young earth creation.
My graduating daughter wants to work in the animal industry as a zookeeper or animal trainer. Think dream job: SeaWorld’s Killer Whales. She is doing everything she can now to prepare for this career, including volunteering at our local aquarium. She serves on a youth council for the aquarium and has attended several camps to work with animals. However, as great as all that is, she is very often exposed to a non-Biblical worldview. I remember her coming home from her volunteer duties one day telling me about how the guy she was working with told her he met “that” homeschool family. You know the one; they don’t believe in evolution and think the earth is only a few thousand years old. I was proud of her for telling him she believed that too. He tried somewhat to persuade her of the scientific evidence of evolution. She remained unmoved in her thinking.
Biblical worldview is so important to our understanding of the world. At some point, we will all be challenged about what we believe and why we believe it – and we better be a ready defense. I truly believe this is one reason so many youth leave the church as adults. They have been told what to believe but have no idea why they are to believe it.
The most important thing to do is study the word. Don’t just read it or let someone else teach it to you, but study it. Then find a Bible believing church that will come beside you in your walk. I’m a big fan of expository preaching where the pastor preaches verse by verse through scripture. Prayer is most vital too. Praying for God to allow you to understand what you are reading and studying. Praying for our children to be given an understanding. Praying that they will stay committed to their faith when it is challenged.
As we come into this busy holiday season, I am reminded that my year of homeschooling will be about half way over. In just a few short months, my oldest will graduate high school and begin her time to branch out away from my constant guidance with college and career. My prayer is that she will recall all that she has learned and studied over the years and not be deterred in her understanding of God’s creation. I hope this trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter will cement her understanding and beliefs. I pray all my kids will be encouraged that what they are taught is true. Who knows, maybe one day she might just be a zookeeper at the Ark instead of SeaWorld.
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.
Isaiah 40:26 ESV
Powerful message, Dana. It is awesome that your daughter defended what she believes is truth.