How often have we heard the phrase, “I went to public school, and I turned out okay. My children don't need Christian Education”? While that may be true for past generations, we must ask: Is that still the norm? And more importantly, how long ago was that?
A.C.E. has known for over 50 years: If you want your children to possess a Biblical worldview, you cannot simply add faith as a side dish; it must be the foundation of their education. What we need to recognize is that the public education system is doing the same thing... but with their own worldview.
Public education has changed drastically over the last few decades. Previously, mathematics was simply mathematics, and academic rigor was the primary focus. Today, however, we are seeing a shift where secular ideologies regarding gender and identity are being introduced to children at increasingly younger ages. We are seeing things creep in with the teaching staff - including concerning reports of teachers who reject basic biological reality, identifying as animals or confusing children about their own nature. We are seeing a lack of accountability for students, and increasing restrictions on the teachers ability to reprimand or discipline.
The Time Deficit: Doing the Math
With our increasing time deficiency as parents, we can be tempted to assume that Sunday School is enough to counterbalance secular influence. However, when we look at the numbers, the disparity is alarming.
Consider the breakdown of a student’s week:
- School: ~25 hours
- Homework: ~2–5 hours [^1]
- Total Secular Input: ~27–30 hours per week
Compare this to the spiritual input a child receives from a non-parental influence:
- Sunday School/Church: ~1 hour
- Youth Group/Midweek Service: ~2 hours (at best)
- Total Spiritual Input: ~3 to 5 hours per week
Even at a conservative estimate, this is a 10-to-1 ratio of secular worldview to Biblical worldview. If we send our children into an environment that ignores or contradicts God for 30 hours a week, we cannot be surprised if they begin to reject fundamental truths by the time they reach university.
Whose Responsibility Is It?
Many parents unconsciously delegate the spiritual training of their children to the church. However, the church’s role is to equip the saints for the work of ministry—to help you disciple your children.
It is ultimately the parent's role to take charge of their child’s spiritual development. As Ken Ham notes, “Biblical worldview teaching is incredibly important... Remember, fathers, it’s your responsibility to train your children in the admonition of the Lord and not ultimately the church’s responsibility! Money, status, sports achievements, and everything else fades away—but our children have eternal souls that will live forever.” [^2]
The Academic & Moral Reality
Beyond the spiritual battle, we are also witnessing a decline in academic standards, particularly in literacy during the foundational years.[^3] When we remove God from education, we lose the foundation for truth, logic, and order.
We are seeing rising youth crime, suicide, depression, lack of respect, and racism. We believe this is largely linked to telling God to ‘get lost’ out of our education. Because we are humans with free will, having God in the classroom doesn't solve every problem instantly, but it makes a massive difference.
Conclusion: Finding the Balance
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). There is absolutely a healthy balance to be found. We should not aim for complete ostracization—hiding our children away so they never encounter the world is not the answer. However, allowing too much influence before they are spiritually mature is equally dangerous.
Don’t let your kids "swim in the sewer" just to educate them about the world. Don’t let them go into battle for their faith before they are ready.
In the words of Voddie Baucham, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for education, and be surprised when they come home as Romans.”
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Footnotes:
[^1]: According to statistics based on many schools’ online information. However, many children are required to do significantly more, which is concerning for a 9 or 10-year-old who needs time to simply be a kid. [^2]: Ken Ham, "Why Do 70% of Young People Leave the Church in College?," Answers in Genesis, June 2025. [^3]: Based on recent NAPLAN results.
