An alarming fact- Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, Ph. D., testified before Congress in January on why students are suffering with their cognitive ability. Pay close attention:

He said students’ SAT Scores have leveled off and are lowering. He testified that students spend five hours a day on computers in classrooms. This affects their critical thinking ability.

I’ve read several articles speaking to the rise of Artificial intelligence lately and how using it affects our brain development. It’s scary.

AI gives us a lot of information in order to make better informed decisions. A problem arises when we use it for research and let AI do the thinking for us. Our discernment and intuition diminish. No wonder SAT Scores are down.

I’m 71 years old. I remember the TV show, “Star Trek.” Captain Kirk and his crew used AI to consult about new planets and whether they would be safe to explore.

AI gave information. Kirk and the crew would agree or disagree to use its input by using critical thinking to decide if the info was beneficial.

Students have a problem today in that their critical thinking skills are not fully developed. Our skills continue to need developing, too. We’re taught to allow computers and Artificial Intelligence do our thinking. In some cases, we’re given wrong information.

I know this from using ChatGPT for my research. ChatGPT 4.0 posted a disclaimer on the bottom of each response. It said, “ChatGPT can make mistakes.” The AI site upgraded to version 5.0 last October. The site removed that disclaimer.

The Lord has something to say about this:

Deuteronomy 11:19: “Teach them (God’s laws) to your children, speaking about them when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

The primary way to teach your children and grandchildren critical thinking skills is to teach them from the word of God. It’s communicating with them through personal relationships. God designed for us to develop critical thinking skills through nurturing our closest relationships.

Hebrews 13:16: “But to do good and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices (offerings) God is well pleased.”

We as parents and grandparents must be intentional about teaching the Lord’s precepts. Social media and curricula operate without emotion. Students have a difficult time understanding the “why” and the emotions behind what is being said. This hinders their critical thinking skills.

This problem is made worse by all the sensational news and false worldly teaching taking place. It’s common in our nation’s public schools. Many students are being programmed.

Critical thinking skills are important so that our children and grandchildren can think for themselves. We can choose to tell them to “Do this and do that.” This is legalism. It won’t work.

Hebrews 13:9: “Be not carried about with different and strange doctrines (teachings). For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; and not with meats (foods), which have not profited them which have not profited them which have been occupied therein.”

Food can also mean all the information our grandchildren receive on the internet 

We as grandparents have another issue. We think that our grandchildren are far smarter than we are because they adapt to technology so quickly. We then dismiss ourselves from getting involved with their education. 

The primary place for teaching and reaching our children and grandchildren is at home. It starts with developing our relationship with our spouse. It spreads to developing our relationship with our children and our grandchildren.

The local church is our secondary place of instruction. School and computers come afterward.

I admit that we can make mistakes, and we must not be controlling in teaching those we love. We must be influencers, though. Having the world be the primary influence for our grandchildren will lead them astray. Their eternal destiny is at stake.

“it is easier to raise boys than to mend men.” – Truitt Cathy, Chick-Fil-A Founder.

What can you do to be more involved in your grandchildren’s critical thinking development? Start by serving them. Teach and model the word of God.

Richard Szalecki helps Christian leaders and purpose driven believers turn their life message into a living legacy. His Mission is Colossians 1:28-29: “Him (Jesus) we herald, warning every man, and teaching every man, that we may present ever man mature in Christ Jesus. To this end I labor, striving with all Christ’s energy, which works in me mightily.” Richard is starting Men’s Small groups this Spring, “Jesus Rx: The Prescription For Life.” Email: Richard.reviveyourspirit@gmail.com.