Public Blog

A.W. Tozer once said:

“A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situations…the true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing, and altogether as ready to follow as to lead…”

I must say that sentiment has rung true in my life over the last 30 years.  Looking back, I never thought I would be in Christian education for this amount of time, let alone in different positions of leadership.  Even though I have failed many times over these years, I do believe there are some basic principles that have guided me and are helpful for those desiring to lead or thrust into leadership. 

First, fear the Lord! Scripture is replete with instructions to fear the Lord and shows the benefits and fruit of such fear. The Israelites were told to fear the Lord and not forget all that He had done.  They were told to fear him, walk in Him, and serve Him.  We know from David that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Job echoes that in Job 28:28, saying that “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” What leader doesn’t want and need wisdom?  

2 Corinthians 5:11 says that it is because of this fear of the Lord that we persuade men.  John MacArthur says that the fear of the Lord is “a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are all exchanged for God’s.  As leaders in Christian schools, when God is feared, biblical wisdom reigns supreme and desires are constantly focused on Christ-centered outcomes and not man-centered outcomes.  

Second, leaders must be visible.  Unfortunately, when leaders are absent too much, the people start to go their own way.  We live in a world of busy calendars and meetings upon meetings.  A leader must guard their calendar and be very present.  They must have their finger on the pulse so that nothing catches them by surprise.  

Nehemiah is a great example of this as he was ever present with the people of Israel.  Nehemiah 4:14 days that when he saw the people discouraged due to those mocking their work, he encouraged them by saying, “do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome.”  A visible and present leader will know the culture and as they fear the Lord, will be able to lead others appropriately.  

Third, be accessible.  Whereas we must guard our time from being distracted from what is most important, we must also be sure to be readily available when needed for teachers and staff members.  My assistants don’t always like my open door policy, but I want teachers to know that they have access to me, without having to schedule an appointment 3-4 days out.  Accessibility allows leaders to have ongoing influence.  J. Oswald Sanders says, “one can lead others only to the extent that he can influence them.” 

Finally, be a servant-leader. Again, Nehemiah is a great example of this as he “also applied himself to the work on the wall.”  J. Oswald Sanders said that “true greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one’s service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them”.  

The people we have been called to lead will joyfully serve and be committed to what God has called them to when they see leaders who fear the Lord, leaders who have an understanding of the times and culture, leaders who are readily available to listen and help, and leaders who serve the Lord alongside them for God’s glory and the sanctification of future generations.  

Kingdom Education schools have a unique and vital role in today’s world. They are not merely institutions for academic instruction; they are communities that equip students to engage culture, serve others, and live faithfully. As society continues to change rapidly, these schools must embrace vision, innovation, and partnership to remain effective in forming the next generation.

Jeremiah 29:7 reminds us, “But seek the welfare of the city … and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Kingdom Education schools are called not only to educate within their walls but to influence their broader communities positively. Matthew 5:13–16 reinforces this mission: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” Students who are trained tothink biblically, act with integrity, and serve with purpose can impact neighborhoods, cities, and beyond.

Students educated in environments where home, church, and school are aligned maintain stronger moral values, deeper spiritual commitment, and higher engagement in biblically based activities into adulthood. These outcomes illustrate the power of intentional, faith-driven learning to shape lives for God’s purposes.

Innovation is equally important. Schools must balance faithfulness to biblical principles with the tools and strategies needed to educate effectively in the 21st century. Organizational research on institutional change demonstrates that systemic innovation requires alignment across all levels: leadership, faculty, curriculum, and community partnerships.

For example, curriculum innovation can include project-based learning that addresses real-world issues through a biblical lens or the integration of technology that enhances understanding while encouraging discernment. Research on educational technology indicates that culturally responsive and value-driven implementation maximizes learning outcomes. Schools that fail to contextualize technology risk producing students who are academically proficient but unprepared to navigate moral and ethical challenges.

Partnership with parents and the church community remains a critical factor for influence. Engaged parents reinforce lessons, provide spiritual mentoring, and model faith at home. Kingdom Education schools that cultivate strong partnerships with parents and local churches multiply their impact.

Kingdom Education schools also have the opportunity to shape societal culture. They can serve as centers of service, civic engagement, and leadership development. Students trained to think biblically and act with moral courage can challenge injustices, model Christlike behavior, and bring hope to their communities. This aligns with

Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Schools with a clear, forward-looking vision equip students to lead and innovate while staying grounded in biblical truth. The future of Kingdom Education schools is promising when they embrace both tradition and forward-thinking strategies. Leaders who are willing to innovate, collaborate, and dream prophetically can position their schools to be transformative forces in the lives of students and the broader community. By integrating academic excellence, spiritual formation, and cultural engagement, these schools prepare students not only to succeed but to influence the world for Christ.

In conclusion, Kingdom Education schools hold tremendous potential to shape a generation of morally grounded, intellectually equipped, and spiritually mature leaders. By seeking God’s vision, embracing innovation, partnering with families, and committing to community influence, these schools can prepare students to be lights in a darkened world. Their mission is not just academic; it is transformational, equipping students to engage society with wisdom, courage, the love of Christ, and to bring God glory.

Education is more than memorizing facts and passing tests; it shapes the way students interpret reality.  Every subject, from history to mathematics, carries assumptions about truth, morality, and purpose. Without a clear framework, children may absorb cultural ideas that conflict with Scripture. That’s why integrating a biblical worldview into the classroom is essential.

Colossians 1:15–17 reminds us of Christ’s supremacy:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things hold together in him.”

True education recognizes that Christ is central to understanding reality.

Every discipline should point back to Him, helping students connect knowledge with God’s truth. Proverbs 4:7 underscores this: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” Wisdom, not mere information, is the goal.

A recent study highlighted that students in biblically based schools were more likely to develop strong moral values and biblical understanding when parents, church, and school worked together. Integration across subjects, rather than isolating faith to one class, reinforced their worldview in daily learning. Similarly, the Cultural Research Center’s American Worldview Inventory found that only a small percentage of U.S. parents possess a fully biblical worldview, which illustrates the importance of schools in complementing parental efforts. Implementing a biblical worldview across the curriculum involves intentionality.

It begins with teacher preparation. Educators themselves must understand the biblical framework, recognizing that every subject can reinforce or challenge students’ beliefs. For example, science lessons can explore God as Creator, highlighting the order and design in creation rather than presenting purely materialistic perspectives. History can examine God’s providence in human events, showing that His hand guides nations and individuals alike. Even literature and arts can reveal truth, beauty, and moral lessons consistent with Scripture.

Curriculum design is another critical factor. Rather than teaching faith as an optional add-on, schools can weave biblical principles throughout lessons. Math problems, for instance, can illustrate stewardship or justice in real-world contexts. Discussions in literature can explore morality and choices, prompting students to evaluate narratives through a biblical lens. This integration helps students see that their faith is not compartmentalized; it is part of all of life.

Parents also play a pivotal role. Parents reinforcing what is taught, providing spiritual guidance, and modeling biblical living enhance the biblical foundation in children. When parents actively engage in conversations about worldview, students internalize these lessons more deeply. Reflection questions, family discussions, and prayer about real-world issues can extend classroom learning into the home environment.

Challenges inevitably arise. Some argue that subjects like math or science are neutral and that faith has no place there. Yet even neutral topics carry assumptions about reality, purpose, and truth. Ignoring worldview considerations leaves students vulnerable to adopting a secular or relativistic worldview. Proverbs 1:7 teaches, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” True knowledge begins with reverence for God and cannot be separated from it.

Forming a biblical worldview in the classroom is not about indoctrination; it’s about guiding students to think deeply, discern truth, and live faithfully. Second Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that Scripture equips “for every good work,” and when integrated into learning, it equips students to face life with wisdom and discernment.

Education is one of the most powerful tools for shaping character and guiding students toward Christ-centered understanding. By intentionally integrating biblical truth across subjects, training teachers, and partnering with parents, schools can prepare students to engage the world with conviction and discernment. Students who learn in this environment develop not only academic competence but spiritual resilience, moral clarity, and the ability to shine as lights in a darkened culture.

In an era where ideas compete for influence over young minds, classrooms can either be a battlefield of conflicting ideologies or a place where God’s truth guides every lesson. By teaching from a biblical perspective, schools equip students to discern, think critically, and apply faith in every sphere of life, ensuring they are prepared to live faithfully in a complex world.

In today’s rapidly changing world, children face unprecedented cultural pressures that influence their faith, purpose, and identity. From social media trends to classroom discussions, the ideas they encounter shape more than just opinions—they shape worldview. This makes the role of parents, churches, and schools more crucial than ever in guiding the next generation.

The Bible gives clear guidance: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Our children’s minds must be trained not only in academics but in discernment, truth, and biblical wisdom. Proverbs 22:6 reinforces this: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” These verses remind us that children are constantly learning from every environment they step into.

Children spend nearly 16,000 hours in school from kindergarten to graduation, making school a dominant force in shaping their thinking. This isn’t inherently negative, but it underscores the urgency for intentional teaching that aligns with biblical truth. A recent study found that students in faith-based schools were more likely to maintain biblical foundations into adulthood, especially when family and school values were in harmony. Yet the cultural landscape presents real challenges. Barna Group reports that many Christian parents feel unprepared to counter secular or relativistic ideas their children encounter in school. This creates a gap between what children are taught at home or church and what they absorb daily elsewhere. Without guidance, young minds risk adopting beliefs that conflict with God’s Word.

Understanding this cultural battle requires recognizing that education is not neutral. Every subject, from history to science, carries assumptions and perspectives that influence how students interpret the world. When these perspectives conflict with a biblical worldview, children can experience confusion, doubt, or compromise.

So how can we address this?

First, parents and educators must take a proactive approach. Schools and homes should form a partnership that reinforces biblical principles. Parents should engage in daily conversations, encourage critical thinking rooted in Scripture, and model faith in practical ways. Educators should integrate biblical truths into lessons across subjects, showing students how faith intersects with every aspect of learning.

Second, we must focus on the mind’s renewal. Romans 12:2 calls us to transformation, not conformity. This is more than teaching facts; it’s guiding students to understand God’s truth, discern falsehood, and think critically about cultural narratives. It requires patience, intentionality, and prayerful effort.

Finally, reflection and accountability are key. Parents and educators should ask themselves: How are cultural ideas shaping our children and students? Are we equipping them to navigate competing philosophies? What steps can we take to reinforce biblical truth consistently? Encouraging children to wrestle with ideas in a safe, biblically based context strengthens both their intellect and their faith.

Scripture reminds us that God equips those who seek Him and places wisdom in the hearts of those who value it. By aligning home, church, and school, we can create a supportive environment that shapes children not just academically but spiritually, preparing them to live confidently in God’s truth.

In this cultural battle, intentional discipleship matters. Education is a powerful tool. By guiding the next generation with discernment, biblical wisdom, and steadfast love, we equip them to stand firm, make godly choices, and impact the world for Christ.

I am writing this blog on January 3rd, the start of a new year.  And with every new year comes the desire to eat better, exercise, and do all the things that do not come easy or naturally, but actually take a great deal of time, energy, and thought.  The same is true about making sure Christian schools across the nation and globe are truly excellent.  So much more goes into being a school of excellence than collecting money for something new, or recruiting players for a winning team, or great test scores, chapels, and service projects.  How can we be assured that excellence is accomplished in our Christian schools?

I believe a key ingredient to this question can be found in I Thessalonians 4:10, where Paul encouraged the people to “excel still more”.  What was Paul wanting them to excel still more at? He wanted them to love others.  That sounds too simple and at times, soft on the surface.  However, when we get the love of God down right, it will influence every other aspect of our lives and schools.  

• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).  When Christ is the preeminent one in our hearts and minds, we will not allow anything else to get in the way of assuring He gets the glory in all that we do in our schools.  He must increase and we must decrease. The love of God and for God will drive us to learn and accomplish things solely for His glory.
• “If God loved us, we also ought to love one another” (I John 4:11). “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). God’s love for us and our love for Him will transform our wants and desires and lead us to love others.  This will allow us to accomplish His will in everything we do in our Christian schools.
• “In the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…to all who have loved (or longed) for His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).  Maintaining the proper perspective on eternity will lead us to live with pure excellence as we long to spend forever with Him.  

My prayer is that as we start a new year, that we will continue to “excel still more” in our efforts to love God, love others, and live in a way that points others to Christ.  When that happens, we can say with confidence, and a pure heart, that we are doing everything with excellence.  

I heard it said once that “Christian schools should win and bring home championships since opponents would probably not want the Jesus of a team they just beat by 40 points.”  Growing up playing sports and still enjoying watching sports now, I am not sure I can get behind that statement.  I am all for winning and I think it is natural to go into each practice and game, giving our best and striving to bring home the “W”.  However, would you agree that a school can have an excellent program without winning a championship and could fall short of excellence even when winning the championship?

Christ-centered excellence in athletics requires so much more than just winning.  After all, when you look at some examples in Scripture, there were plenty of people who were excellent that ended up losing in the eyes of the world:

• The world thought that Jesus lost.  He had no place to lay His head, His friends abandoned Him at times, and He ended up dying on a cross.  We know that He was and is the perfect example of excellence, though not always in the eyes of the world.
• Many others, like Joseph, Daniel, and Paul had moments in their lives when they appeared to lose in the eyes of the world.  Imprisoned and thrown in fire and pits did not come across as excellent.  However, when we look at the entirety of Scripture, their focus and obedience to Christ was what made them excellent.

So, as we look at what makes a schools athletic program excellent, we must make sure that it is obedient to the commands in Scripture on their way to victory:

• Sports are games that should not steal time away from God’s ordained institutions, the home and church.
• Sports should be careful not to appeal to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.  Many times the desires and emotions spent on being #1, can lead us to be prideful. 
• As we offer athletic programs in Christian schools, we must be sure that we don’t forego the following character qualities in our efforts to win:
  • Humility- scoring points and beating teams can easily lead to a spirit of pride
  • Love- running up scores and over the top celebrations can show a lack of love for opponents
  • Responsibility- too much attention and time given to a sport can lead to neglecting other responsibilities
  • Self-Control- it is easy to lose our cool when the call or game does not go our way
  • Kindness- thinking of others and wanting the best for them can be hard to do in the heat of an athletic battle
  • Forgiveness- it is easy to allow a loss or hard foul to keep us from treating others as we should
  • Courage- we must be sure the drive to win does not overshadow the desire to witness
  • Submission- it is easy for coaches, players, and fans to disrespect the authority on the court/field (even when they get the call wrong)

These are just a few of the attributes and truths that must be maintained as we do Christ-honoring athletics in our Christian schools.  As we focus on these, as well as preparing for the next competition, we can achieve excellence in athletics. 

I like to think that I did fairly well, academically, in high school, college, and beyond.  However, there are still days that I echo what Forrest Gump said, “I may not be a smart man.” In today’s world of non-stop access to information, along with advancements in technology and continued scientific discoveries, I realize that I don’t know that much afterall.  And to some degree, I am ok with that.  After all, in the grand scheme of eternity, it is not necessarily how much you know but what you know to be true that matters.  I believe that is the issue when it comes to the discussion about excellence in academics.  

Although, Scripture does not have much to say about schooling, it does speak to the issues of knowing, wisdom, and learning:

• Some people were “always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.”
• Some were babes in Christ “for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God…”
• “Aquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!…with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
• Daniel “showed intelligence in every branch or wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge” but he also understood that God gave him and his friends “knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom.”
• “Knowledge puffs up”
• This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God…”
• The Holy Spirit will “teach you in all things.”
• God’s word can make us “wiser than our enemies”, give us “more insight than all my teachers”, and allow us to understand “more than the aged”.
• In Acts 17, Paul appeared to have knowledge of the culture he engaged in.  
• Paul told the church to be “wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.
• “Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced or, knowing from whom you have learned them…knowing the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 
• God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, “through the true knowledge of Him”. 

That is quite the array of information when it comes to the topic of knowing and learning.  So, what can we summarize from this when it comes to the excellence in academics that we desire for students in Christian schools?

First, knowledge apart from God’s word and purpose is vanity. We must make sure we are not just building college prep schools, but are building life and eternity prep schools that are giving each student the biblical knowledge and tools, teamed with the appropriate skills and talents, to engage the culture in a way that advances His kingdom and brings Him glory.

Second, though knowing facts and truths about how the world works and how we can better contribute to the good of society is something that God desired since creating us to have dominion on the earth, we must remember that God, through His Word and Spirit, gives us all that we need to impact the world for Him. Does what and how we teach, lead students to a deeper knowledge of God and His word?

Third, it is important that the teachers, coaches, and leaders in our Christian schools fear the Lord and know Him first and foremost, as they pass their values, beliefs, and knowledge on to their students.

Finally, there are aspects of knowing that we should continue to be ignorant of, like perversion and certain aspects of evil. It is the consumption of such knowledge that is leading people away from Christ.  

When the academic excellence we seek has its foundation in God’s word, in order to live God’s way, so that we might impact God’s world, I say let’s give our all in that effort, to the glory of God!

Are Christian schools truly excellent? That is a question I have wrestled with now for some time.  Many mission statements and expected student outcomes will proclaim they are about excellence in education, academics,or athletics, but what does that really mean? What does excellence in education look like?

I fear that sometimes school leaders and constituents would have a hard time answering that question.  Does it mean that schools have the best looking and updated facilities? Does it mean that students score higher than other schools on the ACT and SAT assessments? Does it mean that the walls are lined with national championship banners? 

I do not believe there is anything wrong with those accomplishments, however, I believe the heart of the excellence conversation must center on the why, or purpose for doing this thing called Christian education. We must take a closer look at our schools and ask the question, are we determining excellence by a man-centered standard or Christ-centered?

It would be wise to go back and refresh ourselves with the story of the Tower of Babel, found in Genesis 11.  I don’t believe there was anything wrong with building a building back in those days but the issue was, why did they want to build such a tall and impressive structure? Genesis 11: 4 says that their goal was a very man-centered goal, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name…” Therein lies the problem.  The intent of the people was to make a name for themselves, not to glorify God.  Can that still happen today in the world of Christian schooling?  It certainly can still happen today, in our personal life, home life, and in the life of our Christian schools.  

Paul David Tripp had this to say, while writing about the Tower of Babel:

“The will of the Creator was that the people He made in His image would live in humble, obedient, and dependent community with Him and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.  The problem is that sin causes human beings to hunger for independence and self-sufficiency, to quest more for their own glory than the glory of God, and to live according to their own will rather than the plan and purposes of God…we still build towers to our glory and our independent wisdom, righteousness, and strength.”

My fear is that in some Christian schools, we tout our academic and athletic accomplishments for the sake of potentially increasing enrollment rather than truly glorifying the Lord.  After all, how do we know what this excellence we proclaim really looks like in academics, athletics, and the school in general?  That question is what I hope to focus on during the month of January.

When we think about the discipleship of children and youth, most of us first picture the home and the church—and rightly so. Scripture makes clear that these are God’s intentional design for generational discipleship. Yet, in today’s world, another institution holds enormous influence over the hearts and minds of young people: the school. For nearly 40 hours a week—16,000 hours from kindergarten to graduation—children sit under the instruction of teachers, absorb ideas, and form their worldview. The question, then, is not whether schools will disciple children, it’s what kind of discipleship they will provide. There is no such thing as a neutral education.

Education Is Discipleship

Every subject—math, science, literature, history, is taught from some perspective of truth, and that perspective either aligns with God’s Word or it does not.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

Schools are not merely academic institutions; they are powerful discipleship centers. They shape how students view God, themselves, morality, and the world around them. That is why Kingdom Education insists that schooling must be intentionally grounded in God’s Word—not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.

Kingdom Education: More Than a Buzz Phrase

Kingdom Education is not just a trendy phrase to sprinkle into mission statements. It is a comprehensive philosophy rooted in the conviction that all education must be biblical, Christ-centered, and kingdom-directed.

The 14 principles and the 4 domains emphasize that:

● Parents are the primary disciplers of children, and schools must serve to support—not replace—the parents or the church.

● All truth is God’s truth, and every academic subject must be taught in light of Scripture.

● The ultimate goal of education is discipleship—forming students who love God and live for His glory.

If Kingdom Education is not intentionally trained, implemented, and evaluated, schools risk drifting into the world’s patterns—producing students who excel academically, prepared for the next step of education, but who lack a biblical worldview. Our responsibility as Kingdom Educators is not to prepare students in kindergarten for first grade, or eighth graders for ninth grade, but to create Purposes With A Name individuals carrying out their Kingdom assignment on earth, all while bringing God glory.

The Impact of Schools

Research affirms the significance of schools in discipleship. Barna has found that children develop their moral and spiritual foundations by age 13, and that the majority of their worldview is formed by then. Considering that children spend more waking hours in school than anywhere else outside the home, the influence of the classroom cannot be underestimated.

A school that embraces Kingdom Education has the opportunity to:

● Reinforce what parents teach at home.

● Provide biblical formation in every subject.

● Surround children with mentors who model Christlikeness.

● Create an environment where discipleship is central, not secondary.

A Call to Be Intentional

Parents, church leaders, and educators must recognize that the school is a frontline in the battle for discipleship. Choosing a school is not merely about academics or co-curricular activities, it is about who will help shape your child’s soul.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

This sacred trust demands that schools be places where discipleship is intentional, consistent, and Kingdom-driven. The home and church remain God’s primary design for discipleship, but schools are an undeniable force in shaping the next generation. Kingdom Education ensures that schools partner with parents and churches to create a unified, biblical foundation for children and youth.

Kingdom Education is not a buzz phrase. It is a biblical mandate that must be trained, lived out, and implemented with urgency. When schools embrace their discipleship role, they not only teach students how to think critically, but how to live faithfully, bringing God glory in all they do.

Every parent knows the power of friendships in shaping a child’s life. The people our children spend the most time with are often the ones who influence their decision-making and their values. Friendships are never neutral; they either move us closer to Christ or further away from Him. This is why discipleship must include intentionally guiding children toward godly friendships that nurture their spiritual growth.

The Biblical Weight of Friendships

Scripture consistently points to the importance of choosing the right companions.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20

The friends our children walk with will either reinforce wisdom or lead them into destruction. The Apostle Paul echoed this truth when he warned in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” From the Garden of Eden to the early church, we see how relationships influence obedience and discipleship. Friendships are not merely social connections; they are spiritual investments that shape a child’s worldview and character.

Parents Who Guide Friendships

Parents cannot afford to be passive about their child’s friendships. All areas of a child’s life must be aligned with truth from God—including their relationships. This does not mean controlling every choice, but creating an environment where biblical wisdom guides decision-making.

Practical steps include:

● Modeling Friendship – Parents should model what godly, supportive, Christ-centered friendships look like in their own lives.

● Teaching Discernment – Encourage children to evaluate friendships by asking: Does this friend help me follow Christ?

● Facilitating Godly Connections – Be intentional about environments where children build friendships: church gatherings, Christian activities, and family-centered communities.

What the Research Says

Modern research reinforces biblical truth: peers strongly influence the moral and spiritual outcomes of youth. Studies by the Barna Group show that friendships often shape a teen’s views on morality, identity, and faith more than formal instruction. Teens who are surrounded by godly peers are far more likely to remain committed to their faith as they enter adulthood.

Worship Pastor Jeremiah Woods states,

“Life moves at the speed of relationships.”

In other words, the “village” that supports discipleship is not only made up of parents, teachers, and mentors, but also of peers who are walking the same path of faith.

Building Friendships That Last

The discipleship village we create for our children must include peers who reinforce biblical truth. The early church offers a model of this: believers not only learned from the apostles but also from each other through fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement (Acts 2:42). We were created for relationship—and relationships matter.

Helping children form Christ-centered friendships means prioritizing environments where truth is upheld and relationships are built around God’s Word. This may require limiting time in settings where peer influence is contrary to biblical values and investing in spaces where discipleship flourishes. It may also include limiting access to certain influences and, even as parents, telling children, “That is not a friend we approve of.”

A Call to Parents and Leaders

If we desire our children to stand strong in a culture that pulls them away from truth, we must help them cultivate friendships that anchor them in Christ.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

The friends who walk beside our children will either pull them down or lift them up toward Christ. As parents and leaders, our calling is to guide them into friendships that sharpen their faith, encourage their obedience, and walk with them on the narrow path.

Discipleship of the next generation requires more than teaching truth at the table or within the village, it requires ensuring that the voices closest to our children echo that same truth. Godly friendships are one of the most powerful reinforcements of a biblical worldview. Parents, be intentional. Help your children build friendships that are not only fun but formative. Make certain they have relationships that point them toward Christ and strengthen them for the journey of faith.