Raising Our Children to Be Christian Citizens

Written by Mike Farris

Parents often ask about how to teach citizenship to their children. While there is no legal definition of what it means to teach a required course in citizenship, this is what I think it should include at some stage of your children's educational experience.  (There are many other things that could be included; these are some suggestions to get you started.)

About the Author Mike Farris is the President of Patrick Henry College (www.phc.edu)  and the Chairman of the Board for Home School Legal Defense Association. His book The Home Schooling Father, published by Broadman & Holman, contains many ideas for teaching the important principles of life to our children.

1.  Teach them the Constitution of the United States.  (I have written a book appropriate to this subject for high school students.)

2.  Teach them about the founding of the United States. (There is an excellent book published by the Mount Vernon Ladies Society Why America Is Free that is the best I have ever read.)

3.  Teach them about the history of the country.  Our family has used and likes both BJU Press and A Beka American history books.  The children's version of The Light and the Glory is also good.

4.  Teach them about the political and electoral process.  Read the news together.  World Magazine and its parallel children's publication God's World are great.  Citizen Magazine from Focus on the Family is also very good.

5.  Teach them to salute the flag.

6.  Teach them the "Star Spangled Banner" (and the story behind it). "America the Beautiful" and other patriotic songs are must-do items as well.

7.  Teach them to pray for our leaders.

8.  Teach them what the Bible says about government leaders and politics. Start with the voters guide in Deuteronomy 17:14-et seq.  Read the consequences to leaders and people of a nation whose hands are full of blood in Isaiah 1:10-20.  Review the consequences to a people who ignore the knowledge of God in the last half of Romans 1.

9.  Teach them how to be effective in politics.  Find a candidate you believe in and pass out literature for him in an upcoming campaign.

10. Teach them how anyone can be elected, pointing out that being superman or a genius is not a prerequisite for holding office.  Just visit your city council, state legislature, or watch Congress on C-Span, and this truth will become readily apparent.

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