Using the Psalms to Build Worldview

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.

You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:6-7)

Several recent posts addressed the concept of worldview and children. The American Heritage Dictionary defines worldview this way: The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.

Do you see why teaching about worldview is an important part of parenting? Your children are born interpreting their world from a fatally flawed perspective (Eph.2:1-3). Your job is to teach them a worldview that sees reality from God’s perspective. One way to build this biblical worldview is to use the Psalms creatively to address the issues your children struggle with. But I can hear the response—“Okay, that’s a nice idea; how do I do it?”

In the next few posts I have the privilege of introducing you to Tedd and Margy Tripp’s new book, Instructing a Child’s Heart. Chapter 8 is entitled “Giving Children a Vision for the Glory of God.” This is also a way of talking about building a biblical worldview. The book is filled with practical ways to bring Scripture to bear on everyday life. For example, suppose your child is discouraged that nothing seems to be going his way. If you are the
parent of young children prepare to hear variations on this theme for years to come. Both 4-year-olds and 14–year-olds struggle with this (not to mention 44-year-olds). Your 4-year-old’s lament that “he won’t let me play with the new toy!” morphs into the 14-year–old’s claim that “nobody understands me.” Tedd and Margy address this very question in Chapter 8. They ask you to consider what will help discouraged children. Using Psalm 4, they show you how to help your children to delight in the nearness of God. This valuable life lesson will serve your children when they are 4 or 14 or 44.

Such a response is not natural. It can only be put in place with careful thought and planning. This typifies the formative instruction that is essential to develop balance and stability in the life of your children. Children are constantly interpreting the world they live in. If their interpretations are not grounded in a biblical worldview their outlook will be bleak. The greatest joy of this world is often obscured by the pressures of day-to-day life. This joy is directly tied to “Letting the light of your face shine upon us” (Psalm 4:6). This is just one example of the beauty and power of formative instruction.  Instructing a Child’s Heart provides the insight you need to make formative instruction a cornerstone of your parenting.

As you interact with the book, share your thoughts via the comment section. Providing your children with a practical vision of the glory of God is a priceless gift to them. It gives them a worldview of the way the world really is: God is at the center of all that happens in life. May he richly bless you as pass on this vision to your children.

Shepherd Press