Patriotism Archives - Train Up The Child

Presidents’ Day – Celebrating Two Great Presidents!

February 16, 2019February 18, 2019 by Sheilah

Presidents’ Day is intended to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln whose birthdays are both in February. Their birthdays were observed separately until 1971 when Congress decided the two would be combined into one national holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February.

This is a great time to teach your children about the godly character of these two men. God tells us to remember how He dealt with our ancestors: 1 Cor. 10:1 Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea.

George Washington:

Tell about the truthfulness of George Washington even as a young boy in the story of the cherry tree. Here is a site that tells the story and has printable coloring pictures:

George Washington, sometime before the age of 14, transcribed “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation.” Check them out here and see which ones are still good rules to teach your children.

Read at this site and then share with excitement in your own words about how God divinely protected George Washington during the French and Indian War. You can read the entire account of this in the book The Bulletproof George Washington

Abraham Lincoln:

Tell why Abraham Lincoln became known as ‘Honest Abe’. Read about it here and get printable coloring sheets as well.

Read this article about the faith of Abraham Lincoln. This is what he said before the Battle of Gettysburg” . . . oppressed by the gravity of our affairs, I went to my room one day and locked the door and got down on my knees before almighty God and prayed to Him mightily for victory at Gettysburg. I told Him that this war was His, and our cause His cause . . . Then and there I made a solemn vow to almighty God that if He would stand by our boys at Gettysburg, I would stand by Him. And after that, I don’t know how it was, and I cannot explain it, soon a sweet comfort crept into my soul. The feeling came that God had taken the whole business into His own hands, and that things would go right at Gettysburg. . .” from Abraham Lincoln: The Man & His Faith

Here’s an excellent interactive site for both presidents.

We can use this day to pray for our current president and leaders as well. They have been placed in their position by God: Daniel 2:21 He changes times and periods of history.He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and knowledge to those who have insight. Download this coloring sheet that gives suggestions of what to pray for our leaders.

Talking to Children about the Election

November 4, 2018November 9, 2018 by Sheilah

Vote

Tell your children that God gives us the responsibility to seek out people to lead us – that is why we have an election. Read and share with your children the story in 1 Samuel 16 where God gave Samuel the job to seek out a king for His people. This is what He told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)

Lead your children in praying that everyone will look for and vote for leaders with good hearts. Samuel anointed David to be the new king. God was very pleased – look what He said about David – “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’(Acts 13:22)”

It may seem as none of the candidates in this election fit this description but not voting at all is certainly not the answer. Let your children see you exercise your patriotic freedom and responsibility to have a voice in government – take them to the poll with you if possible and let them hear you pray for wisdom to know for whom to vote.

Then when the election is over, remember “God determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. (Daniel 2:21)” We need to remind ourselves of this no matter who wins and explain it to our children.

Regardless of how one might feel about the results of an election, there is never a reason to talk unkindly about those whom God has allowed to be in positions of authority. Read and then tell your children the story from 1 Kings 24. King Saul had been trying to kill David. But when David was faced with an opportunity to kill King Saul, he said “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.” The Arch Book The Angry King tells this story very creatively for children.

Finally, take heed to this exhortation from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority”. After this election it becomes our duty to pray for and give thanks for all those in authority. I want to purpose to intercede for our leaders and give thanks for those God has chosen to accomplish His purposes through in our country even if it will be to bring judgement on our land.

So use this election as another opportunity to establish God’s Word in your children. Make them aware that God has put in positions those whom He has purposed to be there (Daniel 2:21), and no matter who is in authority, God is still the King of kings and in control of everything (1 Tim. 6:15). And make a regular part of your praying with your children be for protection, wisdom, good hearts, and thanks for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Talking to Your Children About the Election

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 by Sheilah

This election could possibly be the most embittered in all of our nation’s history. There have been so many harsh words and out-of-control emotions from the candidates and the supporters on both sides. I am sure children of all ages have heard an adult making passionate comments about a candidate. So we need to discuss with our children what this time in our country is all about.

First of all we need to tell them that God is the King of kings and rules over all the world. 1 Timothy 6:15 tells us that “God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords”. Acknowledge this often with your children.

Then share with them that God gives us opportunity to seek out people to lead us – that is why we have an election. Read and share with your children the story in 1 Samuel 16 where God gave Samuel the job to seek out a king for His people. This is what He told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)

It may seem as none of the candidates in this election fit this description and the options are to vote for the lesser of the two evils or not vote at all. But not voting at all is the third evil. Let your children see you exercise your patriotic freedom to have a voice in government – take them to the poll with you if possible and let them hear you pray for wisdom to know for whom to vote.

Regardless of how one might feel about the winner, there is never a reason to talk unkindly about that person. Read and tell your children the story from 1 Kings 24. King Saul had been trying to kill David. But when David was faced with an opportunity to kill King Saul, he said “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.”

Finally, take heed to this exhortation from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority”. After this election it becomes our duty to pray for and – what is that last thing – um – give thanks for all those in authority. I must admit that, although I have prayed for our authorities, I have not given thanks for them. I want to purpose to intercede for our next president and give thanks for the one God has chosen to accomplish His purposes in our country (which just might be judgement) .

Talking to Children About the Election

November 4, 2012 by Sheilah

He determines the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets others on the throne.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
Daniel 2:21

1 Tim. 6:15 tells us that God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. However, God gives us opportunity to seek out people to lead us. This week we have the privilege to vote for wise leaders.

In 1 Samuel 16. God gave Samuel the job to seek out a king for his people. This is what He told Samuel,

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

Samuel annointed David to be the new king. God was very pleased – look what He said about David!!!!

After removing Saul, he made David their king.
He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart;
he will do everything I want him to do.’
Acts 13:22

Talk with your children about this and lead them to pray with you that our nation will vote for people with good hearts.

Take your children with you to vote if possible. Never miss a teaching moment; take advantage of every opportunity to establish God’s Word in them as you apply it to every situation.

For fun on Election Day:

– March and wave flags as our nation exercises the freedom to help choose our leaders

– Make a red, white, and blue dessert.

– Go here for a fun way to learn about when David was chosen to be king