How to Raise Christian Kids in Public Schools

Several times as a family pastor I’ve been asked the question: “How do we raise Christian kids in a public school setting? More than anything else, one idea helped us teach our children about the gospel and about establishing a Christian worldview while attending public school.

Keep your family immersed in an active church life.

Why is this my main idea?

The Church was instituted by Jesus to be a light in a dark world. It’s a place where believers can connect with other people, grow together, and share joys and sorrows. It’s a place where Christians come to worship God together, and where good preaching and teaching for the whole family will help create a worldview that aligns with Scripture.

The main reason an active church life is so important is because it teaches our children that faith is a big deal. It’s not just something you think about on Sunday morning. An active church life sends a powerful message to our children that, not only do we go to church because we need to, but we also go because we want to.

If you are attempting to raise children who know Christ and understand how to interpret the world’s craziness (there seems no shortness of this in life today) through the lens of Scripture but you are not faithfully throwing your whole self into serving a church someplace, you are already setting your family up for failure.

A firm grasp on theology is going to be a crucial part of the faith for these younger generations who are growing up in a confusing world. It isn’t enough to say, “Jesus loves you, now go do the right thing.” Who can tell what the “right thing” is anymore? What’s the only source of wisdom in this wild world? Only the Scripture and a right understanding of it. Where does your family get immersed in this? You got it, the church.

It’s remarkable to see children apply scriptural truths they’re learning in church into situations at school. It’s best to tackle some subjects and ideas that they maybe haven’t even encountered yet. It is always better for children to be spiritually prepared before a situation arises.

There is no perfect system for raising Christian kids in public schools, private schools, or even home schools. There are no guarantees that things will work out in our children’s hearts and lives the way we pray they will. No one approach is going to work for all kids. But we can do lots of things with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that will give our kids a solid biblical foundation, even while they attend public school.

It seems simple but not always easy. Isn’t that the Gospel way?