by Jorge Herrera from Discover God Video Games

I often have parents ask me about the value of video games to Christian parents. They want to know, can their child to find Jesus in a video game? Children already spend a lot of time on parents' phones or their own tablets so we want our children to use that time wisely, not spent on mindless entertainment. Thankfully, there are a lot of apps that teach different subjects like colours, shapes, maths, English etc. through ‘gamification’ features; but what if they could actually find Jesus or learn about God in and through children’s apps and video games? 

I believe that a child can, in fact, find Jesus in and through video games and apps. The way this is done is very simple. It is through packaging Biblical teaching in colourful, child friendly apps that also combine elements of games.

Why video games?

Video games are a popular feature of contemporary culture, but when we look at younger demographics this is even more evident. According to statistics from DigitalSchool House UK, 99% of 0-8 year olds in Europe play video games. The governing body for video games, UKIE, shares that Approximately 70% of of 9-18 year-old young people play video games. These statistics are significant considering that video games have only existed for about 60 years, and the number of users continues to rise.

This means that video games or Children’s apps that have gamification features are here to stay.

So how exactly can a children’s game app guide a child to learn about Christ?

Dr. Mathew Faber says that digital environments that are fun and engaging are a space where exploration, experimentation, and decision making is involved and encouraged. Video games were first introduced in the public education system in the 1970’s, these were used to teach subjects like maths (Math Blaster), science, and history (Oregon Trail).  (Matthew Farber, Gamify Your Classroom) The concept of play is linked to learning when it comes to young children. It is through this play/experimentation that children and adults better understand themselves, life, others and in this case, God. Dr. Faber warns about ‘chocolate covered broccoli’ where subjects and topics are simply gamified but aren’t any fun (like a Math Blaster game), but rather encourages us to create something genuine that you learn from, while having fun.

Can my child learn about Jesus from an app like God for Kids app?

Looking specifically at the God for Kids app, the app has gaming features and gamification elements that are intricately incorporated into the teaching/playing of the app. These are used to engage its young audiences, they are learning and playing at the same time. What the God for Kids app actually does is teach Biblical literacy. It is through this playful exploration that children will begin to understand the nature of God. They will find God in the app and this will hopefully spill over into the ‘real world’.

Video Game scholars have recently concluded that what you learn or experience in games has the potential to spill out into the ‘real world’. (Jessica Creane)

This means that what we experience in video games, can potentially change the way we perceive or experience things outside of video games. Our children’s understanding of God is one of those things.

Most of the top children’s bible apps have moments in the game/app where they ask children if they have prayed, or even ask if they want to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Many respond positively to the invitation. The children are therefore finding their faith and beginning their faith journey through apps like God for Kids.

Youwan Kang from Silicon Valley wrote a PHD thesis on how technology, like smart phone apps and media, shape our Christian spirituality. Heidi Campbell a Christian theologian who works on video games adds this; “video games reflect and shape contemporary religiosity.”

Therefore it is reasonable to suggest that children can find God in and through Christian children’s apps that teach them about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, I would suggest that these apps are going to play an increasing role in the introduction of Christianity to children and the younger generations. In order to better serve the younger demographic we must embrace video games.