Pop culture and the media both have a major influence in the lives of children in this generation. Kids look up to all kinds of pop culture figures such as Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Tim Tebow, and many others. It is typical for children to look up to these well-known people in the media. However, these figures can quickly go from being role models to idols. Here are two ways to help kids enjoy pop culture figures instead of idolizing them:
- First, help kids learn what it means to have an idol.
Idolatry can be a tough subject to explain to a child. One way to make this easy for children to understand is to define an idol as anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Anything that becomes more important to us than God is an idol. Sometimes this means that we give someone or something more of our attention and focus than we should. God deserves our attention and our focus more than anyone or anything.
- Second, use scripture to show them how important it is to imitate God and worship Him alone. A great passage to use in regards to idolatry is Leviticus 26:1 which says, “Do not make idols for yourselves, set up a carved image or sacred pillar for yourselves, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am Yahweh your God.” Another verse of scripture to use when helping kids understand enjoying versus idolizing pop culture figures is Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.”
Let them know that it is okay to enjoy pop culture figures, as long as their enjoyment does not replace their worship and love for God.