Who’s Teaching Your Kids?
It’s been happening for years. Parents send their children to school to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. They send their children to church to learn about God. And they put their children in extracurricular activities to learn new skillsets or to hone the ones they already have.
Things are changing in the 2020s, though. The things schools are teaching no longer align with a Christian worldview, as many did back in the good old days. Now schools are becoming a place for children to be taught about gender identity, sexuality, and ever-changing societal morals. Cartoons and movies are becoming a place for adults to influence children to believe what a secular society teaches.
The most disturbing thing about this is that what is being taught is taught as truth, although much of the teaching disagrees with the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament.
So, what can parents do about this scenario? Here are five things to consider:
Become Aware. Ask about what’s taught at your child’s school. Read the school’s newsletter, and pay attention to the stories your child tells. If something disturbs you, reach out to ask for clarification.
Do Some Research. If you’re unaware of what your child is watching, ask about it. Read about what your child watches, explore the apps your child uses, and even watch the shows your child watches. Decide for yourself whether your child’s media consumption is teaching from a Christian worldview.
Be the Parent. It is not the job of the school, the television, or your child’s favorite app or show to teach your child about life. This is your job. Make time to provide deliberate instruction about using appropriate language (Ephesians 4:29), sexuality (it’s meant for marriage), how to live like a Christian, and more. Taking your child to church is a great start, but it’s just the beginning of the work that needs to be done.
Agree to Disagree. When you see something with which Jesus would disagree, talk about it. Tell your child the truth. For example: I love all things Christmas, including Christmas movies. When my kids were little and the inevitable line was said, “Christmas is all about love” (or family, or giving), I would say, “No, it’s not. It’s about Jesus’s birthday!” Soon, my kids would say this without prompting.
Open Lines of Communication. Have open lines of communication with your child. If your child asks about sex, answer the question. If your child asks about gender identity, answer the question. How much better it is for you to provide instruction rather than someone you don’t know, who may not have a Christian worldview.
You have the chance to be the most influential person in your child’s life, so take this opportunity to teach your child what Jesus taught, how to follow him well, and what it means to be a Christian.
