Book: Raising Giants – Study Guide: Chapter 5
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." , Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)
Welcome to the Chapter 5 Study Guide for Raising Giants. In this chapter, we pivot from the external battles of parenting, schedules, discipline, and academics, to the internal landscape of your child’s heart. We are looking at the "invisible giants" of emotional confusion and digital distraction.
Discipleship is not merely the transmission of information; it is the transformation of the heart. To raise children who can stand like giants in a shifting culture, we must teach them how to navigate the complex world of their own emotions and the pervasive influence of the digital age. This guide is designed to help you, the parent or leader, facilitate deep, meaningful conversations that root your family in the truth of God’s Word.
Part 1: The Theology of Feeling
Using the Christian Emotion Wheel
For many Christian families, emotions have historically been viewed with suspicion. We’ve often been told to "choose joy" or "don't be afraid," which can unintentionally teach children to suppress what they are feeling rather than processing it with God. However, a biblical worldview recognizes that God created us as emotional beings. Jesus wept. He felt righteous anger. He experienced deep distress in Gethsemane.
Emotions are not the enemy; they are indicators. They tell us what is happening in the depths of our souls. In this chapter, we introduce the Christian Emotion Wheel, a tool designed to help your children name their feelings and bring them to the feet of Jesus.
The Power of Naming
When a child can say, "I feel frustrated," instead of just acting out, they have taken the first step toward self-regulation and spiritual maturity. Research shows that naming an emotion (what psychologists call "labeling") actually calms the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. From a spiritual perspective, naming an emotion is an act of honesty before God.
How to Use the Wheel This Week:
The Dinner Check-In: Keep a copy of the Emotion Wheel at the dinner table. Ask each person to identify one emotion they felt today.
The Scripture Connection: For each emotion identified, find a "Truth Verse." For example, if a child feels anxious, point them to Philippians 4:6–7. If they feel discarded or lonely, point them to Psalm 139.
The Prayer Pivot: Teach your child to turn the named emotion into a prayer. "God, I feel overwhelmed by my homework. Thank You that You are my strength. Please help me focus."
The Heart-to-Heart Filter
To go deeper, we must move past the behavior to the spiritual root. Use the diagram below to visualize how an external action (like slamming a door) is often the fruit of an internal emotion (feeling unheard) which stems from a spiritual need (the need for God’s peace or validation).
Discussion Questions for Parents:
Which emotions do I find most difficult to handle in my children (e.g., anger, sadness)?
How does my own emotional state affect the "atmospheric pressure" of our home?
Do my children feel safe enough to express "negative" emotions without fear of judgment or immediate correction?
Part 2: The Digital Giant
Screens, Moods, and Family Connection
One of the greatest challenges to emotional discipleship in the 21st century is the "Goliath" of the screen. Our devices are not neutral; they are designed to capture our attention and shape our affections. In Chapter 5, we explore how excessive screen time can lead to "emotional numbing" and a decrease in family empathy.
The Impact on Family Connection
When every family member is staring at a different glow, we lose the "embodied presence" that Scripture calls us to. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 commands us to talk of God’s Word "when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." These "in-between" moments are often now filled with scrolling, which leaves no room for the Spirit to move in conversation.
A Biblical Perspective on Screens:
Stewardship of Time: Ephesians 5:15–16 tells us to "make the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Are our screens stealing the time we need for discipleship?
Guarding the Heart: Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard our hearts above all else. What is the digital content "pouring" into your child’s heart?
The Master Principle: 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, "I will not be dominated by anything." Is the device the servant or the master in your home?
Practical Heart-to-Heart Starters
To break the digital trance, we need better questions. Instead of "How was your day?" (which usually gets a one-word answer), try these heart-to-heart starters:
"What was one moment today where you felt God was really close?"
"What is one thing someone said today that stayed with you, for better or worse?"
"If you could hit 'pause' on any part of your day and do it over, what would it be?"
"What made you feel brave today?"
Part 3: Deep Dive Bible Study
Psalm 139: The Identity Fortress
The ultimate antidote to emotional confusion and the comparison traps of social media is a deep-seated identity in Christ. There is no better passage for this than Psalm 139.
Section 1: God Knows You (Verses 1–6)
The Truth: God knows your sitting down, your rising up, and even your thoughts before you speak them.
The Application: We don't have to perform for God. He already knows the "real" us and loves us completely.
Family Activity: Have everyone write down three things they think only God knows about them. Discuss how comforting it is that God knows these things and doesn't turn away.
Section 2: God is With You (Verses 7–12)
The Truth: There is nowhere we can go where God is not present, not even the darkest night or the furthest sea.
The Application: Even when we feel alone at school or in our rooms, the Holy Spirit is a constant companion.
Family Activity: Turn off all the lights in the room. Talk about how God sees in the dark just as clearly as in the light. This is a great time to address fears of the dark or fears of the future.
Section 3: God Designed You (Verses 13–18)
The Truth: God "knit" you together in your mother’s womb. You are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
The Application: Your personality, your physical features, and your unique gifts are intentional designs by the Creator of the universe.
Family Activity: Look at each other’s fingerprints or eyes. Discuss the intricate detail God put into every person. How does this change the way we look at ourselves in the mirror?
Section 4: God Leads You (Verses 23–24)
The Truth: We invite God to search our hearts and lead us in the "way everlasting."
The Application: Emotional health begins with a "Search Me" prayer.
Family Activity: Spend five minutes in silence as a family. Ask everyone to pray, "Lord, search my heart. Show me any 'hurtful way' in me." Afterward, share (if comfortable) what God brought to mind.
Part 4: The Raising Giants Action Plan
Information without application is just noise. To truly raise giants, we must move into action. This week, commit to the following "Family Altar" steps:
1. Establish a "Digital Sabbath"
Pick one evening this week (even just 2-3 hours) where all devices are placed in a central "parking basket." During this time, focus entirely on eye contact, conversation, or a shared activity. Notice the "withdrawal" symptoms in yourself and your children. What does this tell you about the giant of distraction in your home?
2. The Heart Check-In
Before bed, use the Emotion Wheel with each child. Help them name one "high" and one "low" from the day. Pray through those specific emotions using the language of Psalm 139.
3. Identity Declarations
Print out Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Have your children tape this to their bathroom mirror or inside their school locker.
4. Cultural Discernment Exercise
The next time your family watches a movie or a YouTube video together, ask: "What emotion is this trying to make us feel? Is this emotion leading us toward the 'way everlasting' or somewhere else?"
Conclusion: Leading with Grace
Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. You will have days where the screens win and the emotions boil over. In those moments, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Your job is not to be a perfect parent, but to be a faithful one who points your children to the Perfect Father.
As we close Chapter 5, take heart. By teaching your children to name their emotions and anchor their identity in the Word of God, you are equipping them with armor that no giant can penetrate. You are teaching them that their heart is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and that God’s presence is the ultimate reality in an often-confusing world.
Keep going, parent. You are raising a giant.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a theologian, author, and educator dedicated to helping believers integrate biblical truth with practical living. With a background in leadership development and a heart for the local church, Dr. McDonald creates resources that empower families, churches, and leaders to navigate modern culture through the lens of Scripture. His work is rooted in the Assemblies of God tradition, focusing on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of God's Word.
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If God knows every thought before we speak it, and every secret before we think it: why do we still find ourselves trying to hide from Him behind our screens?
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