Why It’s Important to Teach Children the Truth about History
What is the truth about history?
President Ronald Reagan has many quotes but I believe these two quotes about freedom are pertinent today…
“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.“
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.“
I began thinking about his words as I read through Psalm 78.
We will not hide these truths from our children;
Psalm 78:4, 7–8
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about His power and His mighty wonders.
Each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting His glorious miracles
and obeying His commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Hilary Clinton is often quoted as saying…
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
But in light of what we’re seeing, if we want the faith and freedom President Reagan encouraged . . . it all depends upon what the village is teaching our children.
There’s another quote that says…
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ Prof. George Santayana (1905)
Here are some of the reminders from Psalm 78…
- They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His instructions. (v. 10)
- They forgot what He had done. (v. 11)
- They did not believe God or trust Him to care for them. (v. 22)
- They did not remember His power and how He rescued them. (v. 42)
- They did not remember His miraculous signs. (v. 43)
If we fail to teach our children God’s truth and the historical consequences of failing to trust and obey His will . . . they are doomed to repeat the sinful behaviors that lead to those consequences.
The Life Application Bible Notes add…
God commanded that the stories of His mighty acts in Israel’s history and His laws be passed on from parents to children . . . to help each generation obey God and set its hope on Him.
We need to teach our children and grandchildren the truth about history . . . the good, the bad, and the ugly. They need to know where we’ve failed and where we’ve succeeded. They need to know that every individual of every race and background has been created in the image of God. They need to know that God wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
Our descendants need to know that God loves them and wants them to experience the blessing of a hope-filled future.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Teach Our Children the Truth About History
Father God, Thank you for wanting us to know the history of this world You created. Thank you for Your Word that tells us about Your creation, Your loving care, and the truth about human nature. You didn’t inspire Biblical writers to pen a sugar-coated sanitized version of humanity . . . but an honest telling of our flaws, failures, and our need for Your grace, mercy, and love. Our need for Your forgiveness.
Without You, people are prone to sin and idolatry and ignoring Your commands. The Psalmist wrote that You directed our ancestors to teach their children Your instructions. (Psalm 78:5) The same is true today. Your Word guides us and lights the path before us. (Psalm 119:105) Your Word teaches us the truth and corrects us when we are wrong. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Your Word and Spirit show us our need to repent and reveal Your willingness to forgive. They point us to Your love . . . a love is so great that You gave Jesus, Your only Son to take the punishment we deserve.
Father, please forgive us. We often turn our attention to the things of this world just like those before us. We fail to fully teach the depth of Your promises and the importance of Your commands.
Help us guide our children to the truth about history and Your love so that they might “set their hope anew” on You. (Psalm 78) And help us not only teach them about You; help us show them Your love and the difference You are able to make in their lives.
I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who makes all things possible. Amen.
So, what do we do to teach our children the truth about history?
- We teach them the truth of God’s Word and encourage them with His promises.
- We pray for them to KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE God.
- We set an example by living with faith, hope, and love.
- We tell them our own history of God’s love and forgiveness.
- We keep a Family Blessings Journal of God’s love.
- We celebrate Jesus every day.
Throughout history, we can see what happens when people reject God’s truth and selfishly turn to sin and idolatry. It’s true in Scripture and it’s been true ever since.
But Scripture also gives us the good news of God’s love.
Jeremiah wrote…
“My wayward children,” says the Lord,
Jeremiah 3:22
“come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.”
“Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply,
“for You are the Lord our God.
May we all say, “Yes, we’re coming Lord.” May we teach the next generation the truth about history and the blessings of the Lord.
Take a minute to read all of Psalm 78 . . . it will bless you.
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Amen, Deb! Let us follow God’s instructions and pass these on to our children and grandchildren.
Have a great weekend!
I pray constantly for the children being raised in our society today. Leaders and parents alike are so blatantly allowing and even escorting children down the path to hell and destruction. They even admit ever so haughtily “we are coming for your children.” Oh Deb, how I wish the whole world could read and realize the value of your words today. May God have mercy on our nation.
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
19: ARISE, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
But just as you said, Deb, how are children being trained and by whom? I pray for God’s Divine Intervention for children everywhere.
Thank you, Kathy! I continue to pray for revival in our country . . . especially through young people. Rev has been reading about the Jesus Revolution and watched the movie. I also think about what the Lord did at Asbury College this year. I believe that generation could really make a difference in pointing many back to the Lord. That is my prayer . . . may we plant seeds of faith in our children and may they grow abundantly. Blessings and hugs, my friend. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Kathy,
I am so glad to see your post. I have missed you, my sweet friend. I hope that you were not sick and you are doing well.
You are right on point with your post. Children today are too much into their electronics and not enough into the Bible and our Lord. It seems like “rude” is just a way of life for alot of them. I do know that there are those who are better than that. Thankfully!
I truly have missed you. You are such a dear sweet and encouraging lady, not just to me, but to all of us!!
Wonderful post, Kathy! I have missed you my friend! I hope that you have a great weekend and that you are okay.
God Bless You my dear friend!! Hugs and best wishes for a great Fourth Of July weekend. I sent a post earlier, but not sure it went through.
Thanks, Martha! Praying your weekend overflows with blessings!
Amen Deb! Amen! This post was wonderful and speaks volumns. Children today are too busy with their technology and divices.
Our Sunday school class attendance is down from the way it was. It saddens me. And, Patriotism is another thing. I am not seeing enough of that in the children today.
Our Biblical History and our Nation’s History is so important.
I hope that you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Fourth Of July weekend. Blessing and hugs to you, sweet friend.
Good morning my dear friend! I have missed you too! And though I haven’t commented, I have been praying for you and the pain you are continuing to struggle with. I am doing ok, but my father-in-law was admitted to hospital on Fathers Day from his assisted living home. As of yesterday, he was moved to rehab facility and we are not sure how long he will be there. He is 92 and having type of dementia where he sees and hears things. We live 5 hours away, so we have to jump and run at a minutes notice. This has been ongoing since February. It is sad and worrisome of course, as though we want to be there with him, these trips do wear me down a bit. And also a dear uncle on my side passed away just two nights ago with related heart surgery, so we are going to funeral this wkend. But I know that God is with us and will give us strength and comfort to handle these seasons. Thank you so much, Sue for thinking of me and missing me! Your comments and kind words always touch my heart and cheer me up! You are so strong and such an inspiration to me. Even while going through a sad season in your own life, you still think of me and the other dear souls who meet here on Deb’s beautiful blog. Please keep mine and Kenny’s family in your prayers and of course, I am praying for you and your families also. And I am sure that you remember, when we can only see one set of foot prints in the sand, that is when God is carrying us. I pray you and all those you love have a blessed and Happy 4th of July weekend! Love you, my precious friend and Sister in Christ!
Kathy I am so sorry to hear about your father in law and the death of your uncle. Bless you sweet lady! You have a lot on your plate. Of course I will definitely keep you and Kenny and your families in my prayers.
Thank you so much for the prayers you have sent up on my behalf as well.
I know that God is going to do what is best for me and for all concerned. You know, money seems to let us know where we stand when it comes to family. It is sad that the Dollar is more important to some people than relationship.
Through it all, I am so grateful that I have God in my life and also that he has led me to such caring people as you. I am grateful for Deb and this blog. She has brought a lot of us together. She is such a sweet and wise lady, as you are too.
Please do be careful in your travels and know that I have you close in heart and prayers. Friendship is such a great gift, and yours is such a blessing to me.
Oh Sue, how I wish I could run to you now and give you a big hug! You are so giving and caring and I can feel all your love through your words…isn’t it amazing that God sends us such blessings from strangers across the miles, that become so near and dear to our hearts. I am so thankful that God has brought us all together and gather strength and comfort from each other, as we each fight our personal battles. Together we are stronger and with God as the nucleus, and with Deb, as our caption, we shall endure! I love you so dear friend and penpal! May God’s loving arms always protect you and may your spirit be filled with peace as you rest under the shadow of His Wings. Praying for you always, you dear and precious lady, who has become such a precious friend and wonderful blessing in my life!!
Sue, I sent you a reply, but not sure it went thru, as i dont see it on here…i hope you get it!
Hi Kathy,
I got it and I so much appreciate it. You are so sweet and such a good friend. I am grateful for you.
I hope that you have a good weekend. I know it has been a hard week for you. You are in my prayers. Love you my faithful friend.
Kathy, I’m sorry to hear about the grief your family is suffering. I’m praying for you all and asking the Lord to hold you close embracing you with comfort. Thank you so much for continuing to bless me with encouragement and for helping to make this a special place to prayer and friendship. Blessings and hugs, dear friend!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comforting words and your prayers. I know that you and your family are going thru a heavy season with your beloved Rev’s health issues, also. You are a God send to all of us, Deb. I keep you and Rev and your family in my prayers also. I know some days must truly be harder than others, and yet you are still sharing God’s Word and your ministry with us. You have blessed my life so much, and I know so many feel the same way. I thank my God, upon every remembrance of you. I may not get to comment sometimes, but I read every word and the other comments of your every post. I cherish and hold each and every one close in thought and study and prayer. Bless you Deb, my BFF in Christ! All my love with all my prayers are going up for you and Rev. Devotedly…
You are so very welcome, Kathy! I’m so glad the Lord has put us together as prayer partners. You all bless and encourage me more than you will ever know. Blessings and hugs, dear friend!
Praise Lord on the powerful words and prayers to be able to teach our children your love, peace, grace and mercy you give us daily. I pray daily for my sons that God enlighten to always Seek, Trust, and follow him all the days of their lives. Continue to give me wisdom and knowledge to teach them when there is doubt in their hearts and drawn to the worldly things.
Have a wonderful blessed weekend Deb and the nice persons who follow.
Thank you, Ana! I pray you are enjoying a wonderful weekend as well. God be with you!
Thank you so much for bless my sprit life. I had been subscribe and reading it for more than three years . You have help me to grow and lift up my prayer life and sustain in his words .
Please prayer for me need miracle and his guide.
Thank you so much for being a faithful visitor here. I always love hearing from friends, like you! And it blesses me to know you are being strengthened and encouraged. We are happy to pray for you and ask the Lord to guide you and bless you with the miracle you need. God bless you!
Sue says:
Amen Deb! Amen! This post was wonderful and speaks volumns. Children today are too busy with their technology and divices.
Our Sunday school class attendance is down from the way it was. It saddens me. And, Patriotism is another thing. I am not seeing enough of that in the children today.
Our Biblical History and our Nation’s History is so important.
I hope that you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Fourth Of July weekend. Blessing and hugs to you, sweet friend.
Thank you, Sue! You’re right teaching all of history – the good and the bad is so important. Learning from those who have gone before us helps to keep us from making many of the same mistakes they have made. Blessings!