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Why is it important that we teach our students strategies for discernment?
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It’s important for us to teach our students strategies for discernment so that when they go into the world, they are equipped to handle it. Dr. Black stated that many young people walk away from their faith because they were not taught how to get through the tough issues using Bible verses. They have nothing to fall back on so they do it on their own and then think they don’t need God.
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In the world, we must study what is true and what is false so we are not deceived and make destructive decisions for our earthly existence and our eternal destination. Our spiritual enemy uses this world’s system to blur the lines between truth and lies. We must be vigilant like soldiers to train ourselves for protection. Young people are developing maturity but adults have the responsibility to guide them away from false philosophy and toward truth.
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It is important for us to teach the next generation strategies for discernment so that they don’t walk away not knowing how to answer the big questions in life. They need to be able to think through issues with a biblical lens so that they can pass it on to the next generation.
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Our students need to know why they know what they know. I grew up in a Christian school and I knew the information because of what was told, but I accepted it at face value without doing my own digging. When I went to a secular college, those biblical truths were challenged and I scrambled to find out why everyone did not believe like I did! As my second graders mature in the school year, I continually teach them how to go to Scripture to find the answers for things on their level. I teach them the importance of understanding what God’s Word says so that we will have an answer for those who question what we believe. For second graders, the maturing and development of the brain to comprehend everything is still young (especially after the 2020, etc. school years!) but teaching them consistently that they can look to God’s Word to help them with their answers will continue to be built upon as they mature and grow.
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We live in a culture that is strategically and intentionally working to draw our students into a worldview that does not align with Scripture. The responsibility to equip them to discern truth from falsehood is imperative as they aim to live in the world while not being of the world.