Educating Our Children for a Brighter Tomorrow
Most Christian parents I know share a concern for raising their kids during this time in history. Would you agree with me that the following words, in general, describe the state of the union?
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Most Christian parents I know share a concern for raising their kids during this time in history. Would you agree with me that the following words, in general, describe the state of the union?
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the seas are taken away.
America as a whole lacks in faithfulness to God, in love for Him and others, and in knowledge of His Word. As a result, and not at all surprisingly, people act in ungodly ways. Even the land and its creatures suffer. You may be surprised to know these words were penned in the eighth century B.C. by the prophet Hosea (chapter 4, verses 1-3). Our society reeks of corruption, yet such evils have been around for a very long time, long enough for these issues to be addressed in the Bible.
You see, the Bible contains all the wisdom we need for abundant living. How well do you know it? How well do your children know it?
Education has changed greatly in this country since its inception. The first school, established in 1635, adopted the Bible as its foundation for instruction. In 1690, the first primer was published and used until 1900. It included such things as an alphabet poem of Bible stories, and praises to God such as this morning prayer for children:
ALMIGHTY God the Maker of everything in Heaven and Earth; the Darkness goes away, and the Day light comes at thy Command. Thou art good and doest good continually. I thank thee that thou has taken such Care of me this Night, and that I am alive and well this Morning. Save me, O God, from Evil, all this Day long, and let me love and serve thee forever, for the Sake of Jesus Christ thy Son. AMEN.
Fast forward to 1964 and we have the United States Supreme Court ruling it unconstitutional for school authorities to lead students in organized school prayer. During my lifetime, I have witnessed significant moral decay in the United States. Many blame it on the Supreme Court for the removal of prayer from school, and clearly there is a correlation. But let’s review. Hosea wrote about such moral depravity some 2700 years ago.
The evils in which we raise our children today don’t simply date back forty plus years. And they are not solely the result of judicial and legislative decisions. The cultural condition of any society reflects the spiritual condition of its people. You may ask, doesn’t it work the other way around? Doesn’t the culture impact our spiritual conditions and those of our children? Most certainly it can. But however influential it may seem, the culture has no power other than what we ascribe to it. If we want to change the cultural conditions, we must tend to our own spiritual conditions and to those of our children.
Parents, the cultural change your children need most begins with you. Culture begins in the hearts and homes of people.
As a former school principal, I have often said to both teachers and parents: “Children learn what they live.” Whether in the classroom or at home, children mimic that which they see and experience. What are you teaching your children, both directly and indirectly? What are they learning from the interactions and experiences you allow them to have?
Parents, the time has come to reclaim our culture for our children, not by government legislation but by personal submission. We each must first embrace our own spiritual condition and growth, and then help our children grasp their own. We must take seriously our God-given responsibilities as Christian parents.
The prophet Hosea continues in chapter 4, verse 6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Resolve today to grow in your knowledge of God and actively guide your children to do the same. Teach your children God’s Word so they will avoid dark paths of destruction amid our culture, and enjoy a brighter walk in the light of God’s truth.
- Karyn Brownlee
Karyn Brownlee, M.Ed. is a former public school principal turned Christian communicator who promotes the understanding and adoption of a biblical worldview among believers, for their own transformation, and for the transformation of our nation and world. In addition to her own website, BrighterWalk.com, Karyn writes cultural commentary for www.EverydayChristian.com; teaches and mentors at Prestonwood Church in Plano, TX; and speaks for conferences, retreats and other events.
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