Navigating the LGBTQ+ Ideology as a Parent with a Biblical Worldview
Sep 14, 2024Today on Raising Faithful Families, we have a special guest who will help us dive into a topic many Christian parents are concerned about: how to raise children with a biblical worldview, especially in a world where LGBTQ+ ideology is so prevalent. How do we prepare and protect our kids? I know this is a question on many of your hearts, and I can't wait to share this interview with you.
Our guest today is Elizabeth Urbanowitz, CEO of Foundation Worldview, an organization committed to helping children build a Christian worldview in their formative years. Elizabeth, welcome! Please tell us a little more about what you do and who you are.
Disclaimer: Interview transcript pulled using audio features. Some wording may be lost in transcription.
Full episode is available on the Raising Faithful Families podcast and YouTube.
Elizabeth: Thank you so much for having me, Katy. It’s a joy to be here. As you mentioned, at Foundation Worldview, we create resources to help Christian parents develop a biblical worldview in their children. Raising children is a lot of work, and parents are often busy meeting their kids' physical needs while also trying to raise them faithfully. The world is constantly throwing confusing ideas at our kids, and it can be overwhelming to know how to equip them to think biblically.
Our resources focus on helping children pause, reflect on what they’ve encountered, and discern whether it aligns with God’s truth. We're passionate about creating tools that make these important conversations easy for parents so that their children are prepared to think and live faithfully in a hostile world.
Katy: That’s so important and needed. Today, we’re focusing on how to raise our kids with a biblical worldview in a world where LGBTQ+ ideology is increasingly visible. How can we prepare our kids for this?
Elizabeth: I love that you’re focusing on building a biblical worldview, Katy. Often, we wait to talk about these issues until our kids encounter cultural lies. But if we haven’t laid a solid foundation of truth, it’s hard for them to understand why these ideas are not aligned with God’s Word. It's essential that we teach them the goodness and beauty of God's design first, rather than just reacting when they face these challenges.
Katy: This is such a sensitive topic, but an important one. Let's dive into a tough question. If a child comes home and says they now identify as bisexual, homosexual, or are questioning their gender, how should a parent respond?
Elizabeth: The first thing I always recommend is to remain calm. This can be a shocking moment, but how you respond initially will set the tone for future conversations. Thank your child for sharing with you and, if possible, ask gentle questions to gather more information like, “How long have you felt this way?” or “Have you shared this with anyone else?”
If you're too shocked to ask questions in the moment, it’s okay to tell your child that you need time to process what they’ve shared. Let them know that you're grateful they came to you and that you’ll talk more about it later.
For parents of teens, I recommend the book Across the Kitchen Table: Talking About Trans with Your Teens. It offers great insights into understanding the different types of transgenderism and how to approach these conversations.
Katy: That’s such helpful advice. What if, after investigating, a parent finds that their child is truly struggling with gender dysphoria? What steps can they take?
Elizabeth: If your child is genuinely struggling with gender dysphoria, it’s essential to seek biblical counseling. Many secular counselors will affirm the child’s feelings rather than help them reconcile their inner emotional world with the reality of their body. Focus on the Family has some excellent resources for finding a Christian counselor who can offer guidance.
For younger children, if they’re gravitating toward activities typically associated with the opposite gender, that’s okay. Affirm their unique interests while emphasizing their God-given gender. For example, if a boy loves playing with baby dolls, celebrate his nurturing heart and affirm that God made him a boy with these wonderful qualities.
For older children experiencing gender dysphoria, biblical counseling is vital. A great resource is the Biblical Counseling Center in Illinois, which offers both in-person and online counseling.
Katy: That’s such an important point—finding counselors who align with biblical values is crucial. And I appreciate your emphasis on affirming kids' unique qualities without compromising their God-given identity.
I think it's unfair when a child, for example, a boy is questioned for playing with dolls or having interest in playing house. After all, they may grow up to be fathers and have homes to take care of some day. How can we be mindful of communicating with others in our lives who may not share those same values and may question our child on situations like that, or make comments to them that we don't appreciate?
Elizabeth: It's essential to recognize that liking certain toys or activities doesn’t mean a child is questioning their gender. Boys who enjoy playing house or girls who love sports are expressing their unique God-given interests. However, if a boy consistently wants to dress as a girl or vice versa, that’s when parents should gently step in and affirm the goodness of the child’s God-given gender.
Conversations with extended family and friends can also be helpful if others are making comments that could confuse your child. If someone consistently discourages your child's interests because they don't align with gender norms, it’s important to have a respectful conversation explaining how you view these things from a biblical perspective.
Katy: That’s great advice. Many parents are also considering taking their kids out of public schools due to these ideologies. But for those who don’t have that option, how can they start preparing their children to face these ideas in school?
Elizabeth: It’s all about intentionality. Whether your child is in public school, Christian school, or homeschooled, it’s essential to have purposeful conversations about what they’re learning. One of the most effective tools is teaching your children transferable skills for discerning truth. For example, teach them the difference between objective truth—what is real—and subjective feelings, which can change from person to person.
At Foundation Worldview, we emphasize this in our curriculum. We help children understand that truth is what aligns with reality and encourage them to question ideas they encounter in the classroom. One mom shared how her second-grader used this concept when his substitute teacher, a man, asked to be called "Mrs." Her son told her it was sad because the teacher was following feelings instead of the truth of how God created him. It’s a powerful example of how teaching kids to distinguish between truth and feelings can help them navigate tough situations.
Katy: That’s an amazing story. It shows the power of instilling a strong foundation of truth in our kids. For parents who want to work with you or access your curriculum, how can they get started?
Elizabeth: You can find all of our resources at foundationworldview.com. We offer both free and paid resources, and if anyone is interested in purchasing one of our family licenses, they can use the coupon code FAMILY10 for 10% off.
Katy: Thank you, Elizabeth! I love asking all of my guests this question: If you could share one tip with every parent in the world, what would it be?
Elizabeth: Don’t believe the lie that you’re too busy to spend time in God’s Word. If we want our children to know and love Jesus, we need to prioritize growing in our own relationship with Him. Don’t let busyness keep you from spending time in Scripture.
Katy: Absolutely true. Thank you so much for being here today and sharing your wisdom, Elizabeth!
Elizabeth: Thanks for having me!
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Author
Katy Bordeaux is a Certified Parenting & Family Coach and the founder of both Covenant Collections and Kingdom Purpose Moms. Passionate about guiding families to thrive, Katy combines biblical wisdom with practical parenting strategies to help parents build strong, faith-filled homes. Connect with her for more resources and support on your parenting journey.
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