At our recent Worldview Conference, Dr. George Barna delivered a powerful and sobering message on what it truly means to raise “spiritual champions.” His central point is one that every Christian—especially parents, pastors, and Christian leaders—needs to hear:

America does not primarily have a political problem… it has a worldview problem.

For decades, many of us have focused on the symptoms of secularization — abortion, crime, family breakdown, failing schools, sexual immorality and drug use. But as Dr. Barna explains, these are not the root issues. They are the fruit of a deeper crisis: a nation that has largely abandoned a biblical worldview.

And the numbers are staggering.

Only a small percentage of Americans—and even professing Christians — consistently think and live according to the truth of God’s Word. Instead, most people have adopted a mix of beliefs shaped more by culture than by Scripture. That should concern all of us.

But perhaps the most urgent part of Dr. Barna’s message is this:

A person’s worldview is largely formed by the age of 13.

Let that sink in.

That means the next generation is not being lost in college. They are being lost in childhood.

And tragically, many Christian parents and churches have either misunderstood or neglected this responsibility. Too often, we outsource discipleship, assuming that a church program or a youth group can undo 150+ hours each week of cultural influence.

Dr. Barna points out that at the time most children enter high school, their core beliefs about truth, morality, God, and purpose are already in place — and he emphatically points out that they rarely change. But change is not impossible.

The responsibility to raise children who know, love, and serve God begins in the home—and must be reinforced by a church that is serious about discipleship, not just attendance.

We encourage you to listen and/or watch this video from our recent IFI Worldview Conference. If you think this is compelling information, please share the link with those people at your church and in your family:

We Have Great Hope & Help

Scripture gives those of us who are older great hope for change. It is part of our calling as Christians, to die to self and to be conformed to the likeness of our Savior. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

We must remember:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

If we want to see a different culture, we must first cultivate biblical beliefs. And if we want to raise true disciples of Jesus Christ, we must intentionally teach and model a biblical worldview. This is not optional. It is central to the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 13:10; Mark 14:9; Luke 24:44–49; Acts 1:8)

There is more good news: it’s not too late.

God has placed us here, in this moment, for a reason. Each of us has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to invest in the next generation and help raise spiritual champions who will stand for truth in a confused and compromised culture.

We encourage you to watch this session from Dr. Barna carefully — and then share it widely.

(IFI staff & AI tools assisted with proofreading, additions & clarity;
the human author made all final content decisions.)