OPINION:
Do you know what the most counterfeited product in America is?
According to BusinessInsider.com, women’s handbags are the most counterfeited product in America. To experts, counterfeit sticks out like a sore thumb. So, how can you tell a fake from the real thing? Because experts spend hours studying the real thing, they know it like the back of their hand. For example, counterfeit COACH bags look genuine to the consumer, but can easily be discredited by master handbag restorers. Raised versus flat imprints on the tag, ribbed versus smooth metal on the hardware, and incorrect serial numbers give this counterfeit away in just moments to the trained eye. These handbag experts, just like the U.S. Treasury Agents who carefully study the real dollar bill to recognize counterfeit cash, have what we want our kids to have — the ability to know the truth so well that they can recognize counterfeit in a second.
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Why is it important for our kids to have this kind of wisdom when it comes to life? Because many things that kids encounter look like the truth, even sound like truth, but they don’t align with Biblical truth. Counterfeit messages, like toxic gender ideology or critical race theory, are all throughout our culture and look to influence our children’s worldview over time. Alarmingly, according to a Barna study, only 4% of adults have a Biblical worldview.
But, what if our kids know God’s Word so well that when an untruth disguised as a truth is presented to them, they can recognize it and flag it right away?
A friend shared that a ninth grader, who has been studying the Bible and living his faith since childhood, came home from school one day and clearly had something on his mind. His mom inquired about his day. And he quickly responded:
“It was ok. We learned about Evolution today in Biology class. My teacher explained all kinds of ideas and then asked for our thoughts. A few of my friends said that they agree with Evolution. But, it didn’t feel right to me … I really don’t think we came from apes. So, I raised my hand and said that I disagreed and that I believe what the Bible says in Genesis, that God created everything. I’m not sure my teacher or friends agree with me.”
First, give this high schooler a huge high-five for being brave and flagging something — in front of his peers — as an untruth. He understood and owned his faith. That is even difficult for some adults to do. He was able to use his critical thinking skills to recognize that this was contrary to what he believed. Yes, that’s what we want — especially in today’s culture. Just like this ninth grader, our kids need to know what the Bible says and be able to flag it and present the truth in its place.
By exposing him to a Biblical worldview at home his parents taught him HOW to think, not WHAT to think, and he was able to process this on his own and connect the dots in the moment. And, extra kudos to him for potentially opening the door for some Biblical conversations with his friends.
It’s our job, as parents, to help our kids know the Father and know His plan of eternal life for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. When they come to us with questions or challenges, we need to share God’s timeless truth from the Bible. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” It doesn’t get any clearer than that.
The best thing you can give your kids as they walk out into the world is a Biblical worldview to spotlight counterfeit. It is with this knowledge of the Bible that they can see God in every situation, no matter where they are. That way they don’t fall for fake COACH purses or counterfeit dollar bills, they stand firm on God’s truth.
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Kori Pennypacker is the CEO of Bible2School, where she oversees the mission and speaks to businesses, churches, and community leaders on the topic of the importance of spiritual training for children in our communities nationwide. She has over 20 years of experience in children’s ministry and leadership.
Bible2School equips communities across the nation to provide free elective Bible classes to elementary school children DURING their public school day. Their vision is that every public school in the nation would have a dynamic Bible program taught during their school day as allowed by national released time court rulings.
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