4th Grade Civics & Government — Rights and Responsibilities — Being a Good Citizen
Students will understand the importance of being informed citizens who seek truth and evaluate information wisely.
In a free country, citizens need to be informed. That means we need to know what is happening in our community, our state, and our nation so we can make wise decisions and hold our leaders accountable.
The Founders believed that an informed citizenry is essential for a free republic to survive. John Adams wrote, 'Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.' If people do not know what is happening, they cannot protect their freedoms.
But not all information is truthful. The Bible tells us to 'test everything' and 'hold on to what is good' (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This means we should not believe everything we hear or read. We should compare what we learn to God's Word and use wise judgment.
Good citizens read and listen carefully. They consider different viewpoints. They ask questions like: Is this true? Is this fair? Does this match what the Bible teaches? Who is saying this, and why?
Jesus said, 'The truth will set you free' (John 8:32). As citizens of both God's kingdom and our earthly nation, we have a responsibility to seek truth, speak truth, and stand for truth — even when it is not popular.
Find a short news article about something happening in your community or state. Read it carefully and answer these questions in writing: What happened? Who was involved? Is this article sharing facts or opinions? Does anything in this article relate to Biblical principles?