Apologetics, Inc.

To Love Them with Truth: Discipling Our Children Inside the Classroom

As a young, newlywed woman, relatively fresh out of the collegiate slammer, I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as Aunt (or more affectionately, “Auntie Em”). My husband and I are grateful for this special time to build the foundation for our marriage before we shift gears to nurturing children of our own. But if we follow the agenda for a young, Christian-conservative couple, then the likelihood for the “who’s” looming in our near future is high. 

Also high is the rate at which our children-to-be will blossom and begin to look like the versions of ourselves we once knew and longed for. Soon, that distant future will not be so distant, and fairy gardens will fade into fables, and our questions will shift from “Who’s on diaper duty?” to “Who’s picking them up from practice?” We are uncertain of the dreams they will behold and the talents they will possess. But we are certain of one thing–they will be in the minority. 

According to Gallup, 66% of Americans contribute to Christianity’s position at the top of the religious totem pole.1 So, is America a Christian nation? For many reasons, I beg to differ. The circulation of vague Christian ideas? Undoubtedly. Biblical teaching, preaching, admonishing, respect, discernment, and obedience in the socio-political-economical public square? Few and far between. American families who hold to these values in heart, mind, soul, and strength are scarce.

So, the question I pose is this: If we are attacked on all sides of the cultural agenda, is our duty, both as parents (current or potential) and kingdom families, not only to protect the lambs among us, but train them to defend truth, goodness, and beauty to the most hostile of audiences? 

The culture has certainly turned a darker shade than what it was fifteen, ten, or even five years ago. Nearly fifteen years ago, my parents decided to pull me from the public school system and re-establish me into a private, Christian middle and high school. Ten years ago, we began the collegiate discussion–many small, private, Christian colleges were on the table. Five years ago, I moved 774 miles away from my home to attend one of the most beloved Christian, liberal arts colleges in the country.2

It is true that those decisions–decisions to move from public education and thus, social acclamation, were met with a great deal of criticism. The most common question being, “Why would you attend a private, out-of-state college when you have so many scholarship opportunities in-state?”

But what my parents knew that many are afraid to admit for the sake of the easy path, is that as much as their daughter held fast to the faith of their household, her faith would stand taller in the face of the flock, not in the lion’s den. For fifteen years, my parents sacrificed their time, energy, finances, and much more, so that as my years outside home discipleship decreased, the academically occupied years increased my faith. In other words, although I spent more time within the classroom than the comforts of my own home, the Biblical worldview was not forsaken. Rather, it was encouraged. 

My Christian education provided me with critical skills that promote spiritual and intellectual flourishing, friendships that relish in the good, the true, and the beautiful, and a relationship with the man of my dreams. More importantly, however, my heart and mind were cultivated to long for Christ and His kingdom. 

True, I never made straight A’s, nor was I the lead player in every theatrical production. I did not have many friends in high school, and I was the subject of a great deal of public (and I’m sure, private) insultation. My extracurriculars were slim, My SAT/ACT scores were nothing worth celebrating, and I was the only student in my high school graduating class who did not own a cellular device until her senior year.

Yet, despite the above information, I would still argue that I am headed in a better direction than most comrades from my generation. I do not buy into hazy, social media mike-drop mantras or fall prey to popular ideologies that limit human value to race, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. Despite my radical disagreement with current political leaders and agendas, I am an upstanding American citizen who deeply respects the founding fathers and principles of this nation. I do not drink myself to delirium on the weekends, nor use social media as grounds to display explicit photos, disguised as self-love and female empowerment (I realize I’m firing lots of shots here, but if you don’t already have a helmet, get one3).

This is not to say I am absent from fault, irresponsibility, or sin. Nor is my purpose to magnify myself above my peers. But it is to say that my worldview severely impacts my habitual and public lifestyle, and my education has played an essential role in both my pursuit and understanding of it. My highest calling has never been, nor will it ever be, my accolades, gifts, or position in the social atmosphere. It is not my career, marital status, or ability to produce, raise, and love children. My highest calling is to obey, honor, and glorify the King of Heaven. If I am not working toward that, then what is my life? As the hymn goes, “A mist that vanishes at dawn.”4 If, however, I am obedient to God’s Word, and honor Him as Lord of my life, then my boast is not in myself, but in Christ–who has accomplished His good work within me and considers me as His.

So, to the Christian American families who desire to disciple their children well: as a woman who was discipled well, and yet, has watched many of her peers fall prey to the Biblical antithetics celebrated in public academia, I ask you to reconsider your reasoning–the chances of your child being “salt and light” in the primary, secondary, or higher educational environment is slim.5 As Scripture says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”6  

Is that to disregard unique and extenuating financial or personal circumstances? Of course not. Sometimes, public education is the difficult, but necessary option. And as Daniel and his companions prospered in Babylon, so too have many students triumphed over difficult odds to hold fast to their faith in hostile places. But I contend that the best possible bet for a student’s spiritual flourishing is among those dedicated to it. 

To the parents who have sacrificed themselves and bore the crosses to give their children light in a dark, dark world, thank you. You are not only giving them the tools they need to intellectually thrive but loving them with biblical truth. If the public school system–the most unyielding opponent to your children’s spiritual flourishing–isn’t going to love your children with the Truth, then I ask you, who will?

Picture of Emily Marasco

Emily Marasco

Emily is a Contributor for Apologetics, Inc. who specializes in writing, social media and marketing production, and communications.

References:

1 “How Religious Are Americans?” Gallup.com, Gallup, 4 Apr. 2024

2 “Grove City College.” The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews, Accessed 13 July 2024. 

3 Conservative media personality, Candace Owens’ reply to a University of Albany student’s question during a Turning Point USA event on Oct. 3rd, 2023. “Life’s tough, get a helmet, man. I’m too pregnant for this.”

4 “All Glory Be to Christ” by Kings Kaleidoscope; set to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”

5 Matthew 5: 13-16, ESV

6 Proverbs 13:20

1 thought on “To Love Them with Truth: Discipling Our Children Inside the Classroom”

  1. scott klusendorf

    True, you weren’t the lead in every play, but you were the lead in the best, “A Doll’s House” as Nora.

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