Raising our children to love the Lord and walk with Him is a spiritual journey. But do not make the mistake of thinking it’s NOT an intellectual one.

To know Him is to love Him. But to know Him, our kids must engage their minds. We are called to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength after all.

Yes, the revelation of God is ultimately a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, but I like the way Frank Turek describes it… we can help remove intellectual stumbling blocks by training them to think deeply, reason clearly, and discern truth from error. Christ is Truth so Christ leads to Truth and Truth leads to Christ.

Many have been trying to sound the alarm for years: our country’s children are being brainwashed. They are not being taught to think and reason well. Many are trapped in a loud, hypnotizing echo chamber – never shown opposing sides or how to think critically. Through social media, technology, and mind-numbing busywork – they’re being lulled to sleep spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. It’s never been more evident. The spiritual, ideological war that’s risen to the forefront this week should be a wake up call.

My husband & I have witnessed the ideological chaos and see more than ever how important it is to raise critical thinkers as we raise 3 of them ourselves! Our son is a very strong-thinking, intellectual young man and watching the Lord sharpen his mind and develop his worldview has been a wonderful journey. And very eye opening to us all.

The reality is that the world system is not neutral. So, most systems in the world are not neutral, and they are not training our children up. Sadly, even the modern church system often does not equip disciples intellectually. Parents, you must rise up to train up your children! And if you don’t homeschool, remember: you still carry the calling to be their primary teacher, discipler, and shepherd.

Especially if they go to a secular school or university, you must recognize that the classroom is no longer a marketplace of ideas. Do not blame teachers or those bound in these places as many are trying their best to obey the Lord’s call. For more on this – there are amazing books that explain what happened to our educational spaces and why and when… But universities and public education *should* offer a balanced mix of conservative and liberal perspectives, and most don’t. And that matters.

So parents, if you are raising young intellectuals, you must equip them. Some children are more intellectually bent than others, so trust the Lord will give you discernment how much to engage the brain and which resources would be best for that kiddo. Not all of us will be called to debate in the public sphere. Not all will be gifted articulate speakers. But for sure all are called to engage intellectually, seek truth and sources of truth, and be critical thinkers so we will not be deceived.

In summary, YES the best thing you can ever do for your children is to preach the gospel every single day. Center your life on Christ and His Word. Give them Jesus. Show them what a surrendered life of worship looks like. Captivate their hearts with His majesty, might, holiness, beauty, and love revealed in His Word and His world by His Spirit. Be captivated by Him yourself. Let them see what it looks like to live for Christ and walk in His love and truth.

And, as you do this, recognize that every media and classroom is a battlefield of ideas. The loudest noise bends ONE way – and it’s not toward God, truth, life. So it is vital that we give our children tools to think clearly and deeply, be discerning, know what they believe, and stand firm.

Here are some resources to help you train minds, anchor worldviews, and prepare disciples to shine boldly for Christ in this generation!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

💬 What books, resources, or practices have helped you raise thinking disciples? I’d love to hear them in the comments!