What Should Your Kids Know About America?

With each Fourth of July that comes, I am more and more thankful that we still have our freedom of religion and speech.  The world seems to be changing so quickly.   It can be scary.  Sometimes it’s hard to know how to react.

How Should We React?

See what the Bible has to say and pray for the courage and wisdom to follow the right path.

We need to read the Bible without deciding what is right and wrong first. Have a teachable spirit. Click To Tweet

We need to be reading the Bible without deciding what is right and wrong first. We need to approach His word with a teachable spirit, understanding that we may come away changed. We need to connect with God ourselves. We cannot let the opinions of others sway us one way or another.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Teaching Our Kids to Be Good Citizens

In a tumultuous world, we need to teach our kids how to be good citizens.  Let’s focus on some things our kids should be learning about America, and how we can use this holiday to springboard Bible study with your kids.

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.” Romans 13:1-2  The Message

Our History is What Makes Us. To truly study American history, it’s impossible to leave out God and the role that He played (and still plays). If you homeschool, I HIGHLY recommend My Father’s World: Adventures in US History. If you don’t homeschool, or if you have another curriculum you love, just check out some of the books on their list. Or just see what your library has to offer!

Sally and Sarah Clarkson’s new book,The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming, stated that July was a perfect time to talk about heroes.  America is full of great examples for our children.  Check out Liberty’s Kids – The Complete Series for some great examples.  (Plus it’s an AMAZINGLY low price for the entire series–less than $8!)

Let Freedom Ring!
***You can use the concept of Freedom as a springboard for talking about the how Christ sets us free.

“ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”       2Corinthians 3:17

***You can also talk about how American freedoms allow us to become all God wants us to be. We cannot take these freedoms for granted. Many Christians around the world are being persecuted–another topic you may wish to touch on, depending on what you think your kids can handle. It isn’t getting any easier to be a Christian in America either. We need to prepare our kids to stand up for their beliefs–no matter what. The Torchlighter books and shows are great examples of real people who did just that.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”     2Timothy 3:12

***God Bless America. But God blesses other countries too. I had the great privilege of traveling around a bit when I was younger. It taught me how lucky I am to be an American, but it also taught me that other countries have wonderful things to offer as well. God doesn’t love Americans any more than any of his other children. Perhaps this is a good time for some missionary stories? Check out Christian Heroes:  Then and Now.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

What other 4th of July or American inspired ideas do you have for teaching your kids about God?

 

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