Introduction to Worldview

Have you ever watched a student say the right thing in class, only to act in a way that contradicts what they just said? This isn’t necessarily the result of a desire to deceive—hypocrisy—but the result of a conflict between two powerful forces: their philosophy and their worldview.

What is a Worldview?
We can’t think consciously about every single decision—we’d be paralyzed. That’s why we rely on deeply embedded patterns of thought and action that function in the background. This is what we call worldview—how a person sees the world when they are not thinking about it. In contrast, philosophy is how a person sees the world when they are thinking about it.

So, while philosophy may be discussed in class or written on a test, worldview shows up in the hallway, in the group chat, or during moments of frustration. It’s what drives students’ unplanned reactions. As teachers, it is crucial to realize that our students’ beliefs are revealed not just by what they say, but by what they do—especially when they aren’t trying to impress us.

This is especially significant in Christian education where students may articulate a philosophy of compassion, service, or truth—but react to real-world situations with selfishness, fear, or dishonesty. This discrepancy often isn’t intentional; it’s the result of having a philosophy that’s been taught, but a worldview that hasn’t been transformed. Of course, this isn’t just a problem of students; it is also a problem for teachers.

A person’s worldview is like an autopilot system; it quietly and continuously influences the direction of their life. And like an autopilot on an airplane, incorrect programming can lead to unintended outcomes. A small misalignment in worldview can lead students to decisions with serious consequences—often without them realizing what went wrong.

The Biblical Worldview vs. Christian Culture
A Biblical worldview is based on what God has revealed in the Bible about how He views His world. There is only one Biblical worldview—we may have different understandings of His purposes and our roles, but He is always consistent. The term “Christian worldview” is often treated as a synonym for the Biblical worldview, but it is important to clarify that a Christian’s worldview may or may not align with the Biblical one.

Students may assume their worldview is Biblical simply because they attend a Christian school, have asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior, and study the Bible. Living within a culture where people are actively choosing to align what they say and do with the Biblical worldview will impact a student’s worldview. Experiences within a Christian culture also make a difference—which is one of the primary reasons followers of Christ need to stay engaged with other believers. However, experiences from the past and with groups of people who are ignoring or rejecting God’s revealed ways often make worldview changes much slower than teachers or students would like. Becoming a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) is a life-altering experience, but everything doesn’t change instantly, especially when the patterns of the past are thoughtlessly followed. Studying the Bible will be used by the Spirit to reveal changes that need to be made, but knowing God’s perspective and even wanting to live His way are not enough. We have to actually do what pleases Him whether or not we feel like it or are comfortable with the new ways of behaving. Thankfully the indwelling Spirit of God is able to work powerfully from the inside, giving a person both the desire and power to do what pleases God (Philippians 2:13).

How are Worldviews Formed?
My default mode of teaching is instruction so one of the most important insights for me was the realization that worldviews are not shaped by instruction. While a student can shift their philosophy after hearing a compelling talk or engaging discussion, worldview is only changed through experience.

Worldview is shaped by the culture we live in—the way the people around us view the world—and the patterns of life we engage in. Our families, peers, media, and the implicit, hidden norms of the school environment all contribute to worldview formation.

Experiences with disappointment, success, acceptance, rejection, fairness, or injustice all reinforce how students come to see the world. And unless those experiences are intentionally aligned with Biblical truth, students will adopt the values of the culture around them—even in a Christian school. Talking about the issues can change a person’s philosophy because that is shaped by instruction, but simply talking about issues will leave their worldview untouched.

Teaching for Real Transformation
As educators, we often measure success by how well students understand a topic or can articulate Biblical ideas. But this only addresses their philosophy. If we want to impact their worldview, we must move beyond information and create opportunities for transformation.

This means intentionally building experiences where students:

• See Biblical truth lived out in community
• Practise making choices that align with God’s design
• Reflect on how their reactions reveal what they truly believe
• Experience relationships that model Christ’s character

We can’t expect worldviews to change without immersion in experiences that reflect God’s ways. This includes shaping classroom routines, discipline policies, service projects, and even hallway conversations to point toward a deeper understanding of life from God’s perspective.

Your Role as a Teacher
You are more than a dispenser of content—you are worldview shaper. Every day, you help program the “autopilot” in your students’ lives.

Here are a few ways to do that intentionally:

• Model integrity: Let your own life reflect alignment between what you teach and how you live. When your own reactions reveal an unChristlike part of your worldview, confess and receive forgiveness.
• Create community: Build classroom environments where grace, accountability, and purpose are real experiences.
• Design formative experiences: Go beyond theory—give students space to serve, to reconcile, to lead, to struggle with real ethical questions.
• Invite reflection: Help students connect the dots between their actions and what they actually believe.

Conclusion
Our students’ worldviews are revealed not by what they say during a lesson, but by their spontaneous reactions and what they do when no one’s watching. In a world that prioritizes image over integrity, ideas over character, it is tempting to settle for a well-polished philosophy. But if we’re not intentional, someone—or something—else will program the autopilot that controls life in the hallways, homes, and future careers.

Let’s teach, not just for understanding, but for worldview transformation. Real education focuses on changing how you live even when you forget to think.

Harold Klassen
Harold is an international educational consultant who has worked with teachers in over 20 countries. He completed undergraduate degrees in Chemical Physics and Theology and a graduate degree in Education. He was involved for 23 years in secondary education as a teacher and administrator. He has been with TeachBeyond since 1977 in Germany and now in Canada. He is excited by the change that occurs when teachers and their students begin to see how all of life and learning are related to God and His word.