Turning Game Time into God Time – A Parent's Guide
7/15/2024
In today's digital age, children spend an average of 52 hours per week on screens, with a significant portion of that time dedicated to video games. As a parent, you may be concerned about the content your children are exposed to during their gaming sessions. However, what if you could transform that game time into an opportunity for your children to grow in their faith? By introducing Christian games and Bible-based content, you can turn game time into God time, nurturing your child's spiritual development while they enjoy the entertainment they crave.
Why is it Important to Reach Children Through Video Games?
Brent Dusing, CEO and founder of TruPlay, emphasizes the importance of meeting children where they spend the most time - on video games. "The average kid is on the screen 52 and a half hours a week. Unfortunately, in America, the average child is only at church 30 minutes a week because only half the population goes to church now," Dusing explains. "And so if you look at the bulk of screen time, they're on video games. And so we feel like that's the opportunity to meet children and make some significant changes."
What Makes Christian Gaming Different?
Christian gaming platforms like TruPlay offer a diverse collection of games, comics, and videos that are not only entertaining but also infused with biblical wisdom. "Every piece of content on the platform contains God's truth, helping children explore the Bible's timeless lessons through interactive gameplay," Dusing shares.
TruPlay's content spans various genres, from action-adventure games to puzzles and interactive stories. "We have a universe of characters that are living in this universe where the Bible is real, God is true, they believe in Jesus, and they pray," Dusing describes. "There's all kinds of conflicts and exciting adventures with bad guys. But the point is every piece of content you use contains God's truth."
How Can Christian Games Impact a Child's Faith Journey?
By providing high-quality, Bible-based content, Christian gaming platforms like TruPlay are helping parents plant seeds of faith in the hearts of the next generation. Dusing shares the impact TruPlay is already having on families:
"We're finding if a kid plays TruPlay or plays Roblox, they're more likely to come back and play TruPlay than they are to go back and play Roblox. So we're seeing just fantastic testimonies of people, moms especially, and dads too, saying, 'My child started to understand the Bible in a new way. They love TruPlay because it's safe.'"
What Should Parents Look for in a Christian Gaming Platform?
When choosing a Christian gaming platform for your family, consider the following factors:
- Biblical Content: Ensure that the games and content are infused with biblical truths and values.
- Safety Features: Look for platforms that prioritize a safe, ad-free environment with no in-app purchases or chat features.
- Quality and Variety: Choose a platform that offers high-quality, engaging content across various genres to cater to different interests.
- Endorsements: Consider platforms that have been endorsed by respected Christian organizations and leaders.
As Dusing points out, "TruPlay has been endorsed by some phenomenal people. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Promise Keepers, Sam Rodriguez, Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Candace Cameron, a lot of other just great folks out there who've taken a look and said, 'Hey, this is not only great, but you can trust it, and it'll be something that'll impact your life.'"
The Bottom Line
In a world where children are constantly exposed to inappropriate and even harmful content online, Christian gaming offers a refreshing alternative. By turning game time into God time, you can harness the power of entertainment to nurture your child's spiritual growth. As Brent Dusing passionately states, "We're coming alongside parents. We're coming alongside churches to say, 'Hey, look, we know parents are doing everything they can. We know churches are doing everything they can. We want to be something that when they're not at church, Sunday night through Saturday night, when they're going to be on a screen, let's give them something they're going to love that's going to grow their faith and grow their understanding of who God is and what the Bible is about.'"