What's all the buzz about when it comes to critical thinking? Critical thinking is simply evaluating what you are learning about something. As your child is learning new material, he is evaluating and making judgments based on his reasoning skills. That is why it is so very important to ask questions and to allow your child to explore new ideas. But what if he explores ideas that come from a non-biblical viewpoint? Good question!



One of the most outspoken atheists of our time has said, “Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence." Should we avoid allowing our children to think for themselves? No, indeed not! However, we do need to teach them the truths of the Bible, which is God's written Word. If he accepts God's Word as truth, a child is able to develop a biblical worldview. He begins to see the world through the lens of Scripture, including math, science, and other subject areas. He can look at topics such as evolution, politics, and even diagramming sentences in such a way that he can redeem them for God.

Knowing the history of man as it compares to Scripture provides wisdom in making future decisions—knowing right choices from wrong, wise from unwise. Exploring and hypothesizing in science gives him the opportunity to succeed and/or fail, as well as to learn from making educated decisions. Inventing something new or finding a better use for something that already exists can benefit his neighbor. Since loving your neighbor as yourself is one of God's commands, teach your child to serve God by loving his brother through the use of his talents and skills in academics and other areas. That's one of the reasons hands-on activities are so important. Whether your child is baking or building something, he has to make decisions, evaluations, and applications of the knowledge he has acquired. This approach to learning builds critical thinking and allows your child to use his academic skills to serve others. Critical thinking skills and a biblical worldview go hand-in-hand for the Christian.

While you are teaching your child, start incorporating higher-level thinking questions and provide hands-on opportunities to use his newly acquired knowledge. Come alongside your child as he is learning that new material and find redeeming opportunities to use the material to serve God and others. Being a critical thinker is primary to having wisdom. Proverbs 4:5-7 (NIV) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding.

On behalf of the HomeWorks team,
Sharon Fisher

Manager | Curriculum Specialist, Speaker Coordinator, Social Media
HomeWorks by Precept