And developing a Biblical mindset in our children.
The age of artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it has arrived. Our everyday lives already include generative AI, frequently without our awareness. It seems outdated to worry that the use of AI in everyday life feeds the “monster.” The monster ate its fill of all the average “People” information and no longer grows on our input. Concerned Christians now face a different challenge.
AI is everywhere, shaping the next generation’s worldview in ways we might not fully grasp. What does this mean for raising children in faith? How do we prepare them for a world where machines replace half of today’s jobs? How can we instill a biblical mindset in our children during an AI-driven era?
How AI Already Permeates Everyday Life
It performs various functions in most devices, computers, smart electronics, apps, programs, and websites, and continues to grow rapidly. Almost everyone uses AI regularly, and many do so without realizing it. Common daily uses include:
- Internet searches: AI powers Google, Safari, Edge, and other search engines. It interprets user queries, such as “how to change a tire,” even with misspellings or incomplete phrasing. AI personalizes results and summarizes information from various websites to provide relevant answers.
- Shopping: Most chain stores and an increasing number of small businesses use AI to enhance operations and the customer experience. Amazon, in particular, has used AI extensively across its operations for years. Similar to Google, Amazon personalizes the shopping experience by recommending products based on the user’s previous activity. They use AI to optimize supply chains across various locations, detect fraudulent users, and much more.
- Cell Phones, PCs, Macs, Tablets, Smart Electronics: These devices use AI to improve the user experience. This includes features such as voice translation, voice-to-text writing, and auto-correct. Also, contextual suggestions while messaging, app recommendations, personalized settings, battery optimization, and data extraction from texts and emails to assist users in completing various tasks, among others.
- Other Uses:
- AI-powered spell checkers and grammar tools,
- navigation apps,
- spam filters and phishing scam protections,
- customer service chatbots that assist with phone or chat communication.
How Might AI Change Perspectives on Educating Children?
“The purpose of education in schools right now is profoundly shaken to its core,” says Rebecca Winthrop, the director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. (Educating Kids in the Age of A.I. | The Ezra Klein Show). With the new world of generative AI, teachers have had to adapt to the most ingenious cheating technology ever devised.
But this raises questions like: What should schools be teaching at all? If AI takes over 50% of human jobs by 2030, what workforce will remain for the upcoming generation? This brings us back to the basic question of what parents and teachers expect from sending their children to school.
As Christian parents and educators, what should we desire? Perhaps protection for students against an immoral mindset often found in public schools. Additionally, to provide educational skills grounded in biblical principles and morals. But don’t parents and educators also desire for children to grow into self-supporting adults? We want them prepared for employment and to raise a family.
A.I. will change the future. So, children need an education that prepares them to stand firm in an unpredictable world (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Educating Children for the Future
Scripture says not to worry about tomorrow, and today has enough trouble (Matthew 6:25-34), but also says to, “…stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place” (Luke 21:36). We don’t want our children blindsided. So, how do we support an “Awake” mindset in children?
- Develop critical thinking: Constantly reacting to the unexpected creates a dark world. Living in blind unawareness makes it hard to see God and recognize that He’s in control. Nowadays, computers read to children, talk for them, write essays, and solve math problems. However, education in all these areas develops critical thinking skills. Such learning is crucial for understanding and for “staying awake” to what is happening.
- Don’t Reinforce Reliance on Devices: Many studies show the potential harm caused by electronic devices, particularly to elementary school-aged children. It’s hard to stay alert with an unwell body. The National Library of Medicine says, “Dependency on digital devices resulting in an ever-increasing daily screen time has subsequently also been the cause of several adverse effects on physical and mental or psychological health.”
- Foster Creativity, Adaptability, and Spiritual Maturity: AI cannot replicate human imagination, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. So, don’t be too quick to solve children’s problems for them. Instead:
- Engage them in finding creative solutions.
- Guide them with brainstorming strategies and help them find ways to adapt to new situations. It might help to explain some common adult problems and the process for finding solutions.
Instilling a Biblical Mindset in an AI-Driven World
Technology changes, but God’s truth remains constant. Biblical truth is beautiful. It brings freedom, hope, and peace, regardless of the circumstances.
- Model spiritual reactions to stressful situations:
- It’s easy to become angry with the struggles that come with a society facing unprecedented complications. Anger is the most common reaction to fear. But we are not to live with a spirit of fear (Romans 8:15).
- Pray with your children for guidance. Have faith that God will answer in a way that’s best, even when it’s hard, because He knows the future.
- Reinforce a spirit of hope: Today’s efforts might save enormous heartache later. An athlete embraces the pain of a hard workout, knowing it will enhance their performance in a race. The same attitude to life’s trials shapes and strengthens our hearts and minds.
- Teach Self-Discipline: The Apostle Paul models discipline, wanting to preach effectively without falling himself and becoming disqualified. “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
- Instill heavenly mindsets: This will help children maintain self-control, flee temptations, and want to stay on track. Unlike athletes who train for a temporary prize, encourage them to strive for an eternal reward.
Nurture children’s hearts to do the right thing for the right reason: Morality starts with the heart. At the end of the day, what matters most is that children’s hearts are right with the Lord. This is less about doing everything “right” and more about doing things for the Lord for the right reason. C. S. Lewis says, “I am not angry… with a man who trips me up by accident; I am angry with a man who tries to trip me up even if he does not succeed.” (Lewis, C. S.. Mere Christianity, HarperCollins. Kindle Edition, p. 18).
Conclusion
It’s no wonder parents and educators wrestle with the implications of artificial intelligence. AI will shape the world our children inherit in ways we cannot fully predict. Yet, midst these uncertainties, biblical truth remains a steadfast guide. Now is the time to embrace the opportunity to nurture wisdom, discernment, and spiritual maturity in the next generation.
Preparing children for the future means equipping them with wisdom and the ability to maintain a calm spirit. We want them guided by God’s peace, rather than passively reacting. Foster critical thinking, creativity, and a reliance on God rather than technology. In this way, we prepare children to endure in an uncertain world with faith and purpose. AI may change the nature of work, education, and daily life. It cannot replace the power of moral conviction, the strength of a disciplined heart, or the hope found in Christ.
As Christian parents and educators, our goal is not to passively adapt or blindly react. Our goal consists of raising children spiritually awake, grounded in truth, and equipped to shine their light in whatever future unfolds.
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