Can Christian Parents Learn from the Beloved TV Cartoon Bluey?

If you're a parent of young children, you might be familiar with the popular TV series, Bluey. If you haven't discovered Bluey for your children--or for yourself--you're in for a treat. Bluey, which first aired in 2018, has soared in popularity with kids of all ages and their parents. Bluey follows the adventures of the title character, a lovable blue heeler dog, her sister Bingo, and their parents, Bandit and Chilli. While the show is beloved for its engaging storytelling and humor, it also offers profound lessons that echo biblical wisdom, particularly for parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising children. These nuggets of wisdom include:

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Teaching Through Play

A central theme in Bluey is the power of play, which reflects the biblical proverb, "A joyful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22 ESV) and Saint Paul's admonition to "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4 NIV). Bluey conveys this through Bandit's and Chilli's approach to parenting. They don't just participate in their children's games; they immerse themselves fully, showing that play isn't just for kids--and that family life can be fun.

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Patience and Humility

Bandit, the father in Bluey, often finds his patience being tested. In episodes like "Keepy Uppy" and "Daddy Dropoff," Bandit teaches patience not through lectures but through example, helping Bluey and Bingo to learn from their experiences. Bandit's patient love for his family reflects the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:4 ("Love is patient"), and his willingness to admit mistakes portrays a spirit in keeping with the Bible's command to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5 NIV). Parents can draw obvious wisdom from this.

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The Value of Faith and Trust

Bluey also subtly instills the concept of faith and trust, and respect for parental guidance. Bluey and Bingo are repeatedly learning, in episodes such as "The Magic Xylophone," that their parents' rules and restrictions are for Bluey's and Bingo's benefit, echoing the wisdom of Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV):

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My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.

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Family as a Sanctuary

The Heeler family's home in Bluey is more than just a setting; it's a sanctuary where love, laughter, and learning flourish. This mirrors the biblical view of the family as a place of blessing, in passages such as Proverbs 3:33 (NIV): "The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous." And watching Bandit and Chilli integrate life lessons into their family's everyday activities reflects the wisdom of Deuteronomy 6:7 (NIV), in which God commands His people, "Impress [these commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

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Lessons in Love and Sacrifice

Another lesson for Christian parents to be found in Bluey is in the way Bandit and Chilli often sacrifice their comfort for their children's growth and happiness, embodying the sacrificial love Jesus speaks of in John 15:13. Whether it's Bandit enduring endless games (and even pranks) or Chilli managing her career while ensuring family time, these acts of love teach parents the biblical lesson that love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV). Parents who not only sacrifice time or energy but also invest in their children's spiritual and moral development will raise children who bring joy to their parents (see Proverbs 10:1).

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Sure, Bluey is a kids' cartoon, but like all of the best entertainment for kids, it resonates with adults too--and touches on timeless principles that resonate with biblical teachings. By watching Bluey, Bingo, and their parents navigate life's small adventures, parents can learn valuable lessons about family life...while laughing all the way.

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Explore TruPlay as a Family

Just as parents and kids of all ages enjoy watching Bluey together, the TruPlay mobile app—a platform of multiple games that honor and promote Christian values–is a resource for families to enjoy together.

The TruPlay app offers countless hours of games, comics, and animated videos that feature high quality art, action-packed games, and thoughtful storytelling. Each offering is infused with God’s Truth. It is a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children. It is sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children.” But it's also intentionally structured to avoid the dangers of other platforms.

TruPlay employs a subscription-based model, which allows children and adults to play, read, and have fun in an environment with no in-app purchases, no ads, and no in-app texting or chats. This means, of course, that kids can't spend money, buy "loot," click to go to outside and unknown sites, and "chat" with possible predators.

Beyond that, however, TruPlay offers even more than safety; its ever-expanding selection of games includes Bible stories, Christian themes and values, and countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults.

TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more ‍

https://www.truplaygames.com/user-registration

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Can Christian Parents Learn from the Beloved TV Cartoon Bluey? | TruPlay Parent’s Guide