How Can Christian Parents Help Their Teenagers Think Theologically About Culture?

I often remind parents that in discipleship we are building theologians. The question is not whether students are theologians or not, but whether their theology properly depicts God. 

The biblical pattern of parents shaping their children’s theology impacts how we understand the role of parenting in a couple of ways. First, parents must understand the importance of leading their children to know God. Second, parents must be intentional to show how a right knowledge of God is key to having a right understanding of everything else. This means every conversation is ultimately a theological discussion, whether we are aware of it or not. 

Since every claim we make, opinion we hold, and belief we express exists in a theological framework, the key question, then, is, “What is shaping that framework for our students?”

As Christian parents, we must not settle for playing defense. In the face of what seems like constant cultural whiplash, we must not fall into the pattern of waiting to react. God has revealed truth through the Scriptures, and it is our job to immerse our children in that truth because it provides the proper framework for understanding their world.

A Theological Guide to Cultural Conversations

One way parents can do this is to utilize the Bible’s metanarrative (the overarching story of redemption) as a tool for guiding cultural conversations. This allows parents to instill an anchor point within the hearts and minds of children that will help them see their world through a theological lens. It is not to simply replicate our beliefs; but for them to, as Paul wrote, “be filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him” (1 Corinthians 1:9). Christian parents strive to aid their students in pursuing spiritual maturity.

For example, in conversations on human sexuality, simply telling our children what to believe may not properly ground the biblical convictions we desire for them to hold. They need a durable framework that is rooted in and shaped by God’s Word. Here is an outline for these types of conversations I have used, as well as some points of discussion.

I. Creation

An important foundation for any biblical framework is creation. There is so much for us to learn about God, ourselves, purpose, design, etc. from the first few chapters of the Bible. First, we learn that God is the Creator of ALL things. He is the only truly eternal being, the uncaused cause of everything else. Because of this, all of creation exists in relation to Him as its Creator. In these opening two chapters we learn about God’s purposes and the intended function of all things. We see the way things ought to be, as God proclaims his original creation to be “good.” We cannot truly begin to assess the way things are unless we attain a proper understanding of the way things ought to be according to their Maker.

 “What are God’s creative purposes?”

This is a good starting point when my students come to me with a cultural question. Why? I want to set a pattern for them to consider every question in relation to the one who is behind it all. Some topics might include: humans and the image of God, creation of male and female, the covenant of marriage, the “cultural mandate”, the purpose of sexuality, etc.

II. Fall

Against the backdrop of creation, parents need to help children understand that sin and its consequences have not erased God’s plans. God’s creation remains structurally good, but the effects of sin twist and distort God’s good creative purposes. Even if it’s only a glimpse of those purposes amidst the thick layers of corruption, parents should help their children identify God’s intended creation to understand just how much sin has distorted God’s purposes. 

“How has sin twisted God’s good creative purposes?”

Through this conversation, parents can intentionally lead their children to consider the tragedy of sin and its impact on God’s good intentions for his creation. Some discussion here might include sexual brokenness in the form of adultery, sexual identity, lust, abuse, etc.

III. Redemption

The primary focus of redemption is Jesus, with the objective of highlighting the reconciling of all things through His completed work, as the effects of redemption must be understood in relation to Him. We are restored to right relationship with God only in light of him as our eternal Lord and King. Where sin had once distorted and twisted, redemption makes us right with God. Through the process of sanctification, our souls are re-aimed to align us with God’s will as we move toward a new eternal reality. In redemption, our relationship is restored with God now in part, with a promise of one day being restored completely. 

“How are God’s good creative purposes restored through Christ?”

The greatest need of every person is reconciliation with God through the finished work of Christ, which comes only by faith and repentance. We need to help students cultivate this posture toward the brokenness in our world. Ultimately, in speaking to this aspect of the culture, our desire should be for restoration and reconciliation, not condemnation. The greatest problems in our culture require a greater solution in Christ. Some topics might include: the promises found in Jesus, the ministry of God in our struggle with sin, healing from grief and tragedy, new identity in Christ, a redeemed understanding of sexual self, etc. 

IV. Consummation

This final element is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan in the future. It looks to the new creation in which God’s people will be with God, where He is, forever. This helps parents speak to a most important faculty of young people: their imaginations. The gospel can captivate our imaginations like no other story can. After all, it offers the only true fulfillment and satisfaction for which we were created. Sin keeps us from the only thing that can truly satisfy our soul, which is dwelling perfectly in the very presence of God in perfect, unbroken fellowship with him; which is the final objective in redemption. By eradicating sin and offering reconciliation through Christ, God promises a future where all of His purposes for creation will be restored to perfect harmony for all of eternity.

“How is our hope anchored in the promise of eternal restoration of God’s created purposes?”

Some discussion might include: final healings of bodies, the fulfillment of joy, our ultimate hope in suffering, the presence of God, etc.

These conversations are not easy, but they also don’t require parents to be experts in every area of culture. They simply need to be willing to engage students’ hearts with the truth and beauty of God and his Word, to help them build a theological framework rather than offering knee-jerk responses out of fear or laziness. God has “granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, though the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” (1 Peter 1:3). Let that be our conviction as we seek to lead children to Christ in all things, viewing parenting as helping our families to intentionally learn Christ together.