In the World but Not of It: Building a Gospel-Centered Home in a Culture of Confusion
We’ve all heard the phrase: “Be in the world, but not of the world.”
It rolls off the tongue easily—but what does it actually look like when you're parenting a toddler, guiding a teen, or preparing your young adult to step into a culture that often runs directly counter to biblical truth?
If you’re a Christian parent today, you’re navigating more than just screen time or sibling squabbles. You’re raising image-bearers in an environment that’s trying to shape them before you do. And the question is not whether your children will be influenced—it’s by what and by whom.
Parenting with the End in Mind
Christian parenting isn’t about raising kids who are simply good. It’s about raising kids who are grounded—anchored in truth and equipped to discern the difference between cultural “wisdom” and God’s eternal Word.
Our calling isn’t to isolate our children from the world out of fear. It’s to prepare them to engage it—not with compromise, but with clarity, courage, and Christlike compassion.
To do that, we need to see ourselves as more than caretakers. We are disciplers. And that starts by recognizing the nature of our children—not as blank slates or naturally good—but as people born in need of grace and truth. Misbehavior isn’t just a phase. It’s a signpost pointing to the real issue: the heart.
Don’t Just Parent—Gatekeep
In a world saturated with voices, parents are the gatekeepers of the home. That doesn't mean we shield our kids from every hard thing, but it does mean we're actively discerning:
What are they watching?
Who are they listening to?
What values are subtly being formed in the books they read, the shows they stream, the friends they keep?
The truth is, culture is always catechizing. If we aren’t intentional, the loudest voices will shape our kids’ identity before we’ve laid the groundwork for truth.
Being a gatekeeper means guarding what enters—media, friendships, entertainment, curriculum—and asking, Does this align with the values we want shaping our child’s heart?
What Kind of Culture Are You Building?
It’s easy to focus on the culture outside our home. But what about the one inside it?
Ask yourself:
What kind of culture is my home cultivating?
Is it built on hurried schedules and shallow values—or on rhythms of prayer, Scripture, worship, and conversation? Do your children experience a home where God's Word is not just spoken, but lived—in how conflicts are resolved, how gratitude is expressed, and how joy is cultivated even in hardship?
This doesn’t require a perfect home. It requires an intentional one.
From Reactive to Redemptive
One of the most powerful shifts a parent can make is from reactive to redemptive parenting. Instead of reacting to culture with fear or frustration, we respond with the gospel—training our children to think biblically, live faithfully, and walk humbly.
And here’s the good news:
You don’t need to do this perfectly. But you do need a framework.
Build a Legacy That Lasts
That’s exactly why we created Trends vs. Truth: A Path to Counter-Cultural Parenting—a free, 5-episode private podcast series designed to help you anchor your parenting in Scripture, not shifting cultural advice.
In under an hour, you’ll be equipped to:
Filter modern parenting trends through a biblical lens
Cultivate discernment instead of fear
Shepherd your child’s heart, not just their behavior
Build a gospel-centered home that reflects eternal truth
Whether you’re just starting your parenting journey or navigating the teen years, this series is for you.
Click here to access the private podcast series for free.
This Week’s Challenge:
Think of one area where culture may be quietly shaping your home more than Christ is.
Then take one intentional step to reorient your home around God’s truth.
That might mean:
Starting a media fast
Memorizing a short Scripture together as a family
Reintroducing a simple rhythm like praying before school or sharing daily “God sightings”
Small steps. Eternal impact.
Your children are more than your responsibility—they are your legacy. And they were never meant to blend in with the world. They were called to reflect the light of Christ within it.
Faith and Courage,
John and Lori Lane
