With great anticipation, I am waiting for November 3 to pass. Like you, I am waiting to exhale as the politicians battle across our country, wondering how it will end. In the last few weeks, the political struggle has crept into every corner of our lives, and it seems impossible to limit its presence. When we had only twenty-four news channels, we could isolate the political input and consciously restrict its presence and increased impact. Even if we chose to move off the grid and live with only an analog connection to the outside world (an 80’s reference), the battle of politics would still creep in!
“I think ultimately our job as parents is to keep [our kids] safe, but protecting them from everything is not safe because ultimately, they’re going to have to be in the world.”
—Valerie Kadera, licensed marriage and family therapist
Because political debate on social media and other popular websites is at an all-time high, our kids see and hear ideas they must be ready to think through. How do we talk to our kids about these repetitive issues being routinely promoted in the media in a world of negativity abounding with political rhetoric? How do we help them learn to talk gracefully yet truthfully with others about challenging political issues? How do we teach them Christian values while encouraging them to investigate, evaluate, and draw their own conclusions?
Remind them God’s word instructs us to pray for our leaders and our country.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” —Timothy 2:1-2
This may be hard to hear; however, our responsibility is to pray for our leaders in charge, whatever our political opinions or the election’s outcome. When we bow our head in prayer for our country and its leaders, we demonstrate to our children the humility of being a follower of Christ. We may not personally like the current politicians in authority or the opponent running against them. Whether we agree or not with the decisions made or not made, our responsibility remains to pray for our leaders in charge of our country.
Recently Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse, lead a prayer rally for our nation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. Political leaders, church leaders, community members, and families from all over this country joined to ask God to heal our land. What a powerful example of praying for our country. (You can see the event videos and follow the prayer prompts with your family on this website prayermarch2020.com)
Talk with your kids on the level and when they are ready.
“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Daniel 2:21, NIV
Children do not come with a red light, green light system when they are ready to internalize additional information about new topics or the level they are prepared to receive the information. A good indication it is time for an age-appropriate election chat is if your child is starting to ask questions or begins to make comments about what they are hearing. Although this is most likely not the time for a detailed civics lesson, unraveling some of the confusion of the election process and issues can help children confused by all the mixed messages in the media.
Your teen is probably well aware of your political position and opinion. You may be surprised at how closely your teen aligns with your political views, but they will also have different ideas. Rather than debate your teen, consider taking a curious stance to help them improve their critical thinking skills and practice expressing their views in a safe environment. Here are helpful questions to ask them:
- Why do you think about that?
- Do you know someone in that position?
- How did you come to that decision?
- What are some scenarios that will help me understand?
Show discernment in your consumption of media.
“But test everything; hold fast to what is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV
Sifting, sorting, and categorizing media ideas and messages are essential skills that all adults and kids must learn. Discerning facts from opinions and popular thoughts are critical skills for our kids. Engaging in age-appropriate conversations about campaign rhetoric, those confusing and often conflicting messages from the candidates’ talking points, can help our kids learn to identify the “real” issues and determine what is important enough to affect their viewpoint.
For teens, election season is an excellent time to discuss their consumption of social media. For months we have heard about the influence companies such as Facebook and Instagram have had in this election. Most teens list Instagram and YouTube as their primary source of news each day. This means the images they see, the influencers they follow, and the messages they share have a bigger impact than a traditional news feed.
“Secular worldviews do not come neatly labeled so we can easily recognize them. Instead, they mutate into forms that we hardly recognize, becoming part of the very air we breathe. The most powerful worldviews are the ones we absorb without knowing it. They are the ideas nobody talks about—the assumptions we pick up almost by osmosis.”
– Nancy Pearcey, Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality
After your child has spent time on their device, ask your child open-ended questions about what they have seen or heard and why they may agree or disagree. Follow your child’s influencers on your social media account to see the direct feeds and the sidebar suggestions. Set aside time to watch the news and debates together; then, allow the discussion to open independently. Finally, remind them not to believe everything they see, hear and read, but test everything and hold fast to what is good.
Practice listening and learning.
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”
Titus 3:9, ESV
Political conversations can be an invitation to learn more about our friends and family, but often it can become an invitation to end a relationship. What we think, how we see the world, and why we believe what we believe are essential factors in our identity. We can think we know someone, but we are usually making assumptions based on our own beliefs until we dig into these factors.
We can teach our children that political discussions are not necessarily about sharing our ideas and opinions but rather about showing respect and listening to others. Our children will observe how we listen to people who may not share the same political stance. Our children will learn by our example of responding with kindness, humility, and respect. Do you unfriend people on social media who do not share your beliefs, or do you jump into the latest Twitter debate?
Realistically, when discussing politics, you rarely convenience someone to change their position; more importantly, you do have the opportunity to show them Christ’s love through respectfully engaging with them.
Additional Resources:
- One Nation Under God, His Rule Over Your Country, by Tony Evans
- Kingdom Voting Sermon Series, by Tony Evans
- Your Family’s Election Activity Kit, Media by Focus on the Family
