Morality in the Classroom

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” 

There is a myth that suggests that what your child is taught in the classroom is neutral. Yet, values and judgments are being taught constantly. For example, in an elementary school classroom, there might seem to be no value judgment involved in the teacher asking the class for someone to tell him what five times four equals. However, when several children call out, he rightly reminds them to put up their hand if they want to answer. The children are not simply being taught their multiplication tables. They are also being taught good manners and their responsibility towards each other and towards the person in authority.

When children are in the science class, many parents assume that they are being taught neutral facts. They are not. They need to know the various scientific theories, whether we deem them correct or not, but if they are taught them in an environment where they cannot question them, there is a problem. They are being actively taught that what God says in His word about the creation is wrong. And the same students may not have been taught or encouraged to use the intellectual tools required to discern truth from error. And parents will probably be unaware of the nuances expressed during each moment of such instruction.

The Bible gives a clear mandate to “teach [these things] diligently to your children”. Let’s ask God for the strength to pass on His values to our children.   

Prayer: Lord God, help us to help our children, to teach them Your ways and Your truths, and to help them stand firm against the enemy. Amen. 

Author: Paul F. Taylor

Ref: Taylor, P.F. (2007), Truth, Lies, and Science Education (Leominster, UK: Day One Publications), p. 31. Image: Shema, CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported.

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