Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 074 - Teach Your Children to Test What They Are Taught
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 074 - Teach Your Children to Test What They Are Taught
Just this morning I was reading an article about critical thinking in the body of the church. At first the ideas and information seemed valid and accurate. However, I quickly found myself surprised by a slight wording shift in the tone as ideas and information began to sound “off.”
I read a little more with my mind intently paying attention. I no longer skimmed the words, but sought to identify whether God’s words and wisdom were being revealed. The longer I read the more I detected the shift away from God’s truth. Instead, a worldly perspective opposite of God’s was exposed.
Next, I checked the credentials of the author and found that they supported teachings I have not heard through Bible study or prayer. Thankful that God made the carefully cloaked deceit clear to me, I stopped reading the article. This is an example of the importance of knowing biblical truth. As parents, our careful scrutiny through biblical wisdom and understanding is the only way we can expect to properly present God’s truths to our watching children. It is the way we can have the ability to guide and guard their biblical critical thinking.
If you aren’t actively studying God’s Word and intentionally teachingthe truths of Christ to enable your children to develop critical thinking skills that pursue His godliness, the world will sway your children away from His truths. Every area of life is affected by whether you and your child have the ability to critically think through the biblical truths and lens of God.
Is everyarea of life truly affected? What do you think? Consider the various areas in which believers should live in alignment with God’s truths. I’ll read through some and as you hear them, think about the validity of my statement. Would eternity be affected if you or your child didn’t have the ability to critically think through a biblical worldview with each topic?
Bible Knowledge
Family Lifestyle
Desires
Worship
Gratitude
Decisions
Mindset
Marriage
Parenthood
Deepening walk with God through relationship with Jesus
Bible Study
Understanding Bible Truths
Understanding Bible stories
Understanding current worldviews through a biblical lens
Conversations/Questions/Personal Reflection
Service
Prayer Life
Integration of faith and studies in school
Mentor of Christ
As we list these areas of life, do you see how each one carries the need to think with godly, critical, and biblical wisdom? Without this skill, you and your child may slowly conform to the pattern of this world before you realize the change.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
In a world where society promotes self-interests above all else and encourages doing “what feels good” and “living your own truth,” it is imperative that our children have intimate knowledge of God’s Word and the ability to center His wisdom as the foundation on which they measure and assess cultural messaging and personal feelings or emotions. As parents, we must also possess this ability and live with a biblical worldview daily for our children to witness and be taught with intention.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Without relation through Christ and the knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word, you and your children cannot critically think with the expectation that a biblically wise result will occur. As you navigate this world, hold fast to what is good, as stated in God’s Word. This will allow you to learn and grow in His knowledge, wisdom, and insight as you navigate this culture so opposite to our Heavenly Father’s truths.
Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Are you wondering how you can ensure your children develop biblical critical thinking skills? I believe it is first wise to consider that we and our children must realize people won’t stop to think critically with an eternal perspective worldview if we haven’t purposely trained our heart and mind in that manner. Proper biblical instruction and relationship with God through Jesus are the first steps to take in order to ensure that the Holy Spirit is alive within to bring needed discernment for higher level, godly critical thinking.
It's also important to note that living a life devoted to slowing down instead of rushing is important. When we are rushed or forced to make fast decisions, we usually move with what is easiest or may react on impulse to save time. Also, teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, or if they are confused or fearful, it is a signal that they must make time to pray, seek God’s wisdom through His Word, and speak with someone they trust to lead with godly advice. It’s also very important to test guidance with biblical discernment before you or your children allow the influence of another. Watch to see if their actions and words align with not only what they say they believe, but more importantly, what God’s Word says and calls.
Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”
Help your children build the framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible. Is the source of information godly? Is the source credible – not just through worldly expectations, but God’s? Is the source of information experienced in the Word of God and His truths? What is the motive and perspective of the source? Is the information the opinion of the source or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values?
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Most of what our children read and learn in school, see on television, hear in music, advertisements, and through peers or social media is worldly opinion clothed as fact. These man-made values often contain liberal, cultural doctrine woven throughout to make them enticing. Sometimes they may even carry a tiny bit of truth as defined by God, just to cause enough confusion in the mind of your child and they view it as fact.
Just as Satan twisted God’s truth to Eve in the garden.
Overall, public institutions don’t teach critical thinking, but instead push children through like they’re on an assembly line without allowing or encouraging the ability to think critically (and certainly not biblically). Students are graduating without absorbing and processing information through a biblical lens that produces godly discernment. Children and young adults are unable to differentiate between fact, fallacy, or opinion. Without aware parents who set the priority for their children to grasp the ability to think biblically and critically, students become adults living and processing life through flawed, worldly views.
Public schools, as well as some private institutions, like to teach children to memorize or repeat facts learned through the instructor or read in a classroom textbook. Homework and drills enforce the ideas and trap the student to live a life of moving from one subject to another without needed time to absorb material and build a framework for critical thinking.
Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Make a goal to teach your children how to think, not what to think. Especially when it comes to their relationship with Christ. Unless your children are taught to stand on the firm foundation of Jesus as the support on which to mature their walk with God, they will not learn the process of claiming faith through Christ and experience true freedom to live a holy life. As you live and mentor God’s truths to your children, and teach them the privilege of applying biblical critical reasoning, you enable them to mature their walk with Christ. You help them find the ability to critically think through a biblical lens, and grant them the privilege of navigating this fallen world with grace and hope bound through eternal perspective.
Teach your children to use the mind God created for them to process material with reflective thinking that allows biblical consideration. This will lead to beliefs, actions, and reactions pleasing to Him. Remember, your child must be taught the ability to critically scrutinize ideals instead of passively accepting everything learned at pure face value.
What takes residence in the heart has already lived in the mind.
Make sure your children learn the truths of God and use them to assess what seems to be truth in this world. This will be a great motivator and protector of their beliefs and actions.
John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Your child must be enabled and made aware to use the mind God created for His good, to draw upon, and reflect His wisdom when receiving information, identifying problems, analyzing ideas, creating solutions, and making connections. Your child will be empowered to use biblical discernment in complex and everyday challenges and not be swayed by peers, social media, cultural beliefs and practices, or fleshly desires.
When identity and perspective are formed through the biblical, truth-filled lens of God your child is equipped to navigate this world with joy, peace, and a desire to discover what is good, pure, and true. He will be equipped and encouraged to live in a confusing world which sways him to accept the opposite of God’s desires. He’ll be far less likely to succumb to deceitful and harmful enticements. He shouldn’t be tempted to believe anything just because it’s popular and will use the mind God gave him to assess and extract God’s truths and teachings before making decisions. Firmly set in biblical truths and desires, your child will navigate life in this world with his heart and vision cast on eternity because he was taught to think critically and biblically.
Dear Heavenly Father, Your mind is so far above our own. That we can critically think with even a small portion of Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is a gift beyond measure. Please help us to know You so intimately through study of your Word, prayer, and close fellowship with You that we raise children who seek and serve You through an eternal lens. Father, protect them and provide the critical thinking skills with a biblically based mindset that will honor and please You. May they walk in obedience to You because they have a love and respect borne from relationship through Christ. May they look at this world with appreciation for all You have given them, but yearn for eternal life with You. May their decisions and actions reflect biblical truths and values from You and show their desire for and knowledge of You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
If you enjoyed this episode and would like more information on how to teach critical thinking, I want to let you know that Purposed Parent/Connect Child PodcastEpisode #23, “Teach Your Child Biblical Critical Thinking” is a practical source for godly information on this topic.
Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective.
Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ.
If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too.
Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection.