Keeping the Faith in Public School: Public School and the Christian Family

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Hello, friends! Today's podcast question says:

"Hey Elizabeth, we are a Christian public school family. Can you please give some tips on keeping kids in the faith while sending them to public school? What are your recommendations for navigating public school as a Christian family? It's our only option right now for education. Thank you."

I'm so grateful for this question because it's an important one to think through. Before we dive deep, I want to clarify that what I'm about to say is not a blanket endorsement for public education. I'm recording this podcast in 2025, and in many areas of the United States, public education involves content that contradicts the biblical worldview. At Foundation Worldview, we typically recommend parents consider homeschooling or Christian education first when possible.

However, I know there are situations—just like the one mentioned—where public schooling is the only option or even the best option for a family. If parents are sending their children to public school, they must do so intentionally, not just hoping things will turn out okay. So, I commend this listener! Your intentionality will be a blessing to your children.

Today, we’ll dive into this question: What can Christian parents do to be intentional when sending their kids to public school?

Three Key Steps for Christian Families Navigating Public School

Step 1: Write Down the Benefits
Sit down with a pen and paper or a computer and list the benefits of having your child in a public school setting.

• Is the education academically rigorous?

• Are there teachers who genuinely care about your child?

• Are there special services your child benefits from (e.g., reading specialists, one-on-one aides)?

Spend time thanking God for these blessings. As Christians, we are called to be a grateful people regardless of our circumstances.

Step 2: Write Down the Risks
Identify the risks involved in sending your child to public school. Some examples include:

• Being educated from a secular worldview. Even with Christian teachers, the curriculum is secular. Subjects like science, history, and literature are often taught without acknowledging God's design.

• Being surrounded by peers and adults who don't share a biblical worldview. Exposure to other worldviews is inevitable and can either sharpen or confuse your child's faith.

• Being exposed to the ways of the world before understanding God’s ways. Children might encounter secular ideas and behaviors before they are grounded in biblical truth.

Think carefully about the specific risks present in your local district and your child's specific school.

Step 3: Intentionally Address Each Risk at Home
Risks aren't inherently bad—but they must be addressed intentionally to prevent harm. Here's how:

Addressing Key Risks

Teaching God's Ways First

Children must deeply understand God's character, His design for the world, and their own identity as image-bearers. To do this:

• Spend time daily reading Scripture as a family.

• Teach your children to read, interpret, and apply Scripture.

• Use resources like Foundation Worldview's Biblical Literacy and Biblical Sexuality curriculums (e.g., Attributes of God, Studying the Bible, God’s Good Design).

• Each day, discuss one thing they learned about God during Bible reading.

Combating Secular Worldview Education

Even with a Christian teacher, public schooling operates from a secular framework. To prepare your children:

• Engage in direct biblical worldview training at home.

• Use Foundation Worldview's Biblical Thinking curriculum track (Biblical Worldview, Comparative Worldview, Careful Thinking).

• Debrief each school day with your child using rotating questions at dinner:

  • "What is one thing you learned in school today that reveals God's design for the world?"

  • "What is one thing you learned in school today that reveals how sin has corrupted God's design?"

  • "What is one thing you learned in school today that stems from another worldview?"

Even if your child resists these conversations at first, push through—you're building habits of critical thinking grounded in truth.

Navigating Peer Influence

Children spend around 40 hours a week in school, meaning peers and teachers will heavily influence them. To combat negative influence:

• Pray with your child every morning before school, preparing them to enter a secular environment.

• Help them identify one Christian friend they can support and encourage.

• Talk about how to love classmates with different worldviews without being overly influenced by them.

• Monitor relationships carefully. If certain friendships pull your child's heart away from God, be willing to step in wisely.

A Final Reminder

The three big steps to keep your child grounded in the faith while attending public school are:

1. Write a list of benefits.

2. Write a list of risks.

3. Intentionally address each risk at home.

I discussed three major risks today:

• Being educated from a secular worldview

• Being exposed to the ways of the world before understanding God's ways

• Being surrounded by peers and adults without a biblical worldview

But be mindful: your specific situation might bring unique risks, so prayerfully and thoughtfully plan for them.

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If you have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, visit foundationworldview.com/podcast to submit your question.

As always, my prayer is that no matter the situation you or the children God has placed in your care find yourselves in, you would trust that God is working all things together for your good—using every circumstance to conform you more into the image of His Son.

See you next time!