Godly Motherhood Podcast - Episode 138 - How to Raise Kids Who Think Critically and Biblically
Godly Motherhood podcast – Episode 138 – How to Raise Kids Who Think Critically and Biblically
Welcome to the Godly Motherhood podcast. If you’re a mom, you can’t parent in your strength. The Good News is that you aren’t supposed to. On this podcast I’ll mentor how to rest and abide in the Father’s arms. Through Him, you’ll be carried - and capable of raising each unique child entrusted to your care as you teach them to chase Christ over culture moment by moment.
Just last week, I released Godly Motherhood Podcast Episode # 137 – entitled, “How to Parent Kids to Be in the World, But Not Like It.” This week’s episode is an extension of that episode.
This is Episode 138 – How to Raise Kids to Think Critically and Biblically
Portions of this episode have been taken from previous episodes as I’m deep in edits for my book, “The Good Mom Trap” book that releases December 2, 2025. To get the latest updates, visit terrihitt.com/book.
Quite a while back I was reading an article about critical thinking in the body of the church. At first the ideas and information seemed accurate. But I quickly found myself surprised by shifts in the tone as ideas and information began to sound “off” to me.
So as I read a little more, I paid closer attention. I stopped skimming words, and sought to identify whether man or God’s words and wisdom were being revealed. The longer I read the more I detected a worldly perspective instead of God’s wisdom shared.
When I checked the credentials of the author, I found that they supported teachings never seen in the Bible. Thankful that God made the carefully cloaked deceit clear to me, I stopped reading the article. While it’s good to be informed of teachings that stand opposed to Scriptural truths, we don’t have to take them in if we choose not to. I’d read enough of this article to know that I was finished listening to the deceit.
This is an example of the importance of knowing biblical truth. As parents, teaching discernment through biblical wisdom and understanding is the only way we can expect to properly present God’s truths to our watching children. It is the way we guide, grow, and guard their biblical critical thinking.
If you aren’t actively studying God’s Word and intentionally teachingthe truths of Christ to enable your children to develop critical thinking skills that pursue His godliness, the world will sway your children away from His truths. Every area of life is affected by whether you and your child have the ability to critically think through the biblical truths and lens of God.
Consider the various areas in which believers should live in alignment with God’s truths. Would eternity be affected if you or your child didn’t have the ability to critically think through a biblical worldview with each topic?
Bible Knowledge
Family Lifestyle
Desires
Worship
Gratitude
Decisions
Mindset
Marriage
Parenthood
Deepening walk with God through relationship with Jesus
Bible Study
Understanding Bible Truths
Understanding Bible stories
Understanding current worldviews through a biblical lens
Conversations/Questions/Personal Reflection
Service
Prayer Life
Integration of faith and studies in school
Mentoring Christ
As we list these areas of life, do you see how each one carries the need to think with godly, critical, and biblical wisdom? Without this skill, you and your child may slowly conform to the pattern of this world before you realize the change.
Romans 12:2 says, “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.”
In a world where society promotes self-interests above all else and encourages doing “what feels good” and “living your own truth,” it is imperative that our children have intimate knowledge of God’s Word and the ability to center His wisdom as the foundation on which they measure and assess cultural messaging and personal feelings or emotions. As parents, we must also possess this ability and live with a biblical worldview daily for our children to witness and be taught with intention.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Without salvation through Christ, knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word, and the ability to critically apply them in your life, you and your children cannot expect that a biblically wise result will occur. As you navigate this world, hold fast to what is good, as stated in God’s Word. This will allow you to learn and grow in His knowledge, wisdom, and insight as you navigate this culture so opposite to our Heavenly Father’s truths.
Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Are you wondering how you can ensure your children develop biblical critical thinking skills? I believe it is first wise to consider that we and our children must realize people won’t stop to think critically with an eternal perspective worldview if we haven’t purposely trained our heart and mind in that manner. Proper biblical instruction and relationship with God through Jesus are the first steps to take in order to ensure that the Holy Spirit is alive within to bring needed discernment for higher level, godly critical thinking.
It's also important to note that living a life devoted to slowing down instead of rushing is important. When we are rushed or forced to make fast decisions, we usually move with what is easiest or may react on impulse to save time.
Teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, or if they are confused or fearful, it is a signal that they must make time to pray, seek God’s wisdom through His Word, and speak with someone they trust to lead with godly advice.
It’s also very important to test guidance with biblical discernment before you or your children allow the influence of another. Watch to see if their actions and words align with not only what they say they believe, but more importantly, what God’s Word says and calls.
Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”
Help your children build the framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible. Is the source of information godly? Is the source credible – not just through worldly expectations, but God’s? Is the source of information experienced in the Word of God and His truths? What is the motive and perspective of the source? Is the information the opinion of the source or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values?
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Most of what our children read and learn in school, see on television, hear in music, advertisements, and through peers or social media is worldly opinion clothed as fact. These man-made values often contain liberal, cultural doctrine woven throughout to make them enticing. Sometimes they may even carry a tiny bit of truth as defined by God, just to cause enough confusion in the mind of your child and they view it as fact.
Just as Satan twisted God’s truth to Eve in the garden.
Public institutions push children through like they’re on an assembly line without allowing or encouraging the ability to think critically (and certainly not biblically). Students are graduating without absorbing and processing information through a biblical lens that produces godly discernment. Children and young adults are unable to differentiate between fact, fallacy, or opinion. Without aware parents who set the priority for their children to grasp the ability to think biblically and critically, students become adults living and processing life through flawed, worldly views.
Public schools, as well as some private institutions, like to teach children to memorize or repeat facts learned through the instructor or read in a classroom textbook. Homework and drills enforce the ideas and trap the student to live a life of moving from one subject to another without needed time to absorb material and build a framework for critical thinking.
Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Commit to teaching your children how to think biblically and critically, instead of teaching them what to think.
As you live and mentor God’s truths to your children, and teach them the privilege of applying biblical critical reasoning, you enable them to mature their walk with Christ. You help them find the ability to critically think through a biblical lens, and grant them the privilege of navigating this fallen world with grace and hope bound through eternal perspective.
Teach your children to use the mind God created for them to process material with reflective thinking that allows biblical consideration. This will lead to beliefs, actions, and reactions pleasing to Him.
Remember, your child must be taught the ability to critically scrutinize ideals instead of passively accepting everything learned at pure face value.
Make sure your children learn the truths of God and use them to assess what seems to be truth in this world. This will be a great motivator and protector of their beliefs and actions.
John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Your child must be enabled and made aware to use the mind God created for His good, to draw upon, and reflect His wisdom when receiving information, identifying problems, analyzing ideas, creating solutions, and making connections. Your child will be empowered to use biblical discernment in complex and everyday challenges and not be swayed by peers, social media, cultural beliefs and practices, or fleshly desires.
When identity and perspective are formed through the biblical, truth-filled lens of God your child is equipped to navigate this world with joy, peace, and a desire to discover what is good, pure, and true. He will be equipped and encouraged to live in a confusing world which sways him to accept the opposite of God’s desires. He’ll be far less likely to succumb to deceitful and harmful enticements. He shouldn’t be tempted to believe anything just because it’s popular and will use the mind God gave him to assess and extract God’s truths and teachings before making decisions. Firmly set in biblical truths and desires, your child will navigate life in this world with his heart and vision cast on eternity because he was taught to think critically and biblically.
Here’s a personal story I’d like to share with you:
Since my youngest daughter came to be a member of our family when she was already at the age of nine, her personality was well-formed. Despite extreme neglect and isolation in her early years, certain mannerisms, habits, and temperament were well-formed. I recognized that character was still a very pliable area, and we focused on teaching her what love looked like, that she could trust us, that she was safe, and let her see the type of character we, her family members carried. After those things became real, understandable, and valuable to her, and she formed a stronger grasp on the English language, we were able to begin showing and teaching her the character of God.
Although she was not taught to think critically, we noticed early on during our time with our daughter that she carried an amazing ability to observe situations and quickly provide solutions that improved activity flow or processes. Although she had almost no human contact during critical developmental periods, she was somehow able to gather information, understand connections, question, recognize inconsistencies or errors, and offer solutions. She was also adept at predicting the way an action or decision would impact her future, and her foresight is developed beyond her years or experience.
I wondered how. Was her thought process affected by years of neglect, then sharpened by the necessity for survival?
Despite her gifting in this area, she still lacked one critical piece that carried high importance. What was it? She wasn’t taught God’s Word or how to examine the information she gathered against God’s Holy Word. Just as each of us needs to build and strengthen biblical critical thinking, our girl now knows to hold what she observes, hears, and learns against God’s truths.
In order to analyze information, digest material, and produce godly discernment over fleshly judgement, your child must hone the ability to think with a mind influenced and directed by the Lord.
Like I said earlier, what our children read and learn in public school (and on social media) is opinion clothed as fact, with liberal, cultural doctrine woven throughout. Public institutions don’t teach the skill of critical thinking. Students are graduating without the ability to absorb and process information, or how to produce godly discernment that clearly differentiates between fact, fallacy, and opinion. But the truth is that it is the responsibility of mothers and fathers. We must set this goal foremost in our mind as we parent.
Our children must be taught how to think, not what to think. Especially when it comes to their relationship with Christ. Unless our children are taught to stand on the firm foundation of Jesus as the support on which to mature their walk with God, they will not learn the process of claiming faith through Christ and experience true freedom to live a holy life.
Teaching your children God’s truths and allowing them the privilege of applying biblical critical reasoning as they mature in their walk with Christ will release them from the pitfalls of this fallen world and provide escape from pursuits that can entrap and enslave.
Godly parenting ensures that your children grasp the need for this ability and ensures that they develop it. Since the mental and biblical health of children (thoughts process, actions, reactions, and self-worth is strongly connected to their parents, especially the primary caregiver, each mother must examine what we receive and believe closely. Are you carrying and applying this critical skill for your children to see? Or are you allowing fear, depression, anxiety, poor coping mechanisms, untrue or incorrect biblical beliefs, and ungodly reactions influence your child’s ability to think critically and in a way that honors God?
Self-thoughts of children can be strongly influenced by or learned from parents, whether it be spoken or observed behavior. The influence and opinions of teachers, doctors, peers, friends, and bullies, or of society in general, through cultural practices and advertisements also lend high authority in the way our child shapes thinking. Coupled with negative internal thoughts, such as: “I’m stupid.” “I’m not pretty enough.” “No one likes me.” “I can’t do this.” “No one understands me.” “They don’t really love me.” “I’m not as good, smart, pretty, etc. as…” will cause our children to build far from where God desires them to construct their thought patterns.
Add in social media influences and dangers, including inappropriate content, predators, bullying, and divulging personal information, as well as cultural and societal changes, fear, and uncertainty can bring about depression, anxiety, loss of independent thinking, lack of critical thinking, loss of resiliency, and irrational fears. While negative thoughts are usually rooted in fears, lies, regrets, or misconceptions, our children usually lack the experience and ability to overcome these lies with biblical critical thinking.
They must be taught that negative thoughts are feelings, not God’s truths.
Instruct your child so their thoughts do not become a stronghold of the devil.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Proverbs 14:15 – “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
If you desire your children to use the mind God created for them and process material with reflective thinking that allows consideration of Biblical knowledge leading to beliefs, actions, and reactions pleasing to Him, your child must be taught to carry the ability to critically scrutinize worldly ideals and passions instead of passively accepting everything learned at pure face value.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Here are 9 ways to help your children develop biblical critical thinking skills:
1. Encourage Questions
2. Enjoy Answering Questions
3. Enforce “No Question is Dumb”
4. Seek Answers Together
5. Ask Your Child Questions
6. Allow Time to Think and Process
7. Practice Critical Thinking Together
8. Inspire Creativity
9. Read the Bible Together
Here are 4 ways to teach your child that people don’t stop to think critically when:
1. We Are Rushed – When forced to make fast decisions, people usually move with what is easiest.
2. We Are Confused – Teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, they must make time to pray and seek God’s wisdom through Scripture and speak with someone they trust to lead and advise them in God’s truths.
3. We Are Selfish – When we follow only selfish desires, we usually make decisions we regret later, decisions that hurt others, or decisions that go against God’s desires.
4. We Are Apathetic – If children are allowed to remain indifferent or uninterested, they will not make time to seek and follow God’s values and commands.
Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”
Help your children build a framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to: Compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible.
1. Is the source of information godly?
2. Is the source of information credible?
3. Is the source of information experienced?
4. What is the motive of the source?
5. What is the perspective of the source?
6. Is the information opinion or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values?
7. Is the information backed by biblical evidence?
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
It takes time, effort, and much prayer to teach children to think biblically and critically. Without this valuable skill, they will never experience fullness of intimate relationship with Christ.
Invest in the present and future of your child by modeling critical thinking that is backed by Scripture and teach your child how to think with critical and biblical thoughts in order to allow them to learn how to apply the skills to life issues they will continue to face in their lifetime.
As you express delight now when your children explore life with the questioning mind God has gifted to them, they will delight you later when they apply biblical critical thought processes to every experience they face.
My Set-Apart Collective mentorship program equips you to parent in this way through Christ. Email me at info@terrihitt.com for more information. My Set-Apart mentorship program equips you to parent in this way through Christ. Email me at info@terrihitt.com for more information.
Dear Heavenly Father, our gracious Lord, Your mind is so far above our own. When we critically think with even a small portion of Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding we receive a gift beyond measure. Please help us to know You so intimately through study of your Word, prayer, and close fellowship with You that we raise children who seek and serve You through an eternal lens. Father, protect them and provide the critical thinking skills with a biblically based mindset that honors and pleases You. May they walk in obedience to You because they have a love and respect borne from relationship through Christ. May they look at this world with appreciation for all You have given them, yet yearn for eternal life with You. May their decisions and actions reflect biblical truths and values from You and show their desire for and knowledge of You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this episode. I have a free resource you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource.
Time is short. Leave a legacy that lasts into eternity. Unless you’re purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. Focus on eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.