Discussing age appropriate truths

There is a difference between being exposed to sin, and being taught about sin through a Biblical perspective.

Let me give you an example:

I think I have mentioned this before, but before the children begin their 3 R's, we cuddle together on my big bed and have prayer and Bible reading, memory verses, learn about character traits, and then I usually read to them from our book pick. Yes this is very time-consuming, but I feel it is very necessary.

I have found some classics at the library that are very interesting. The series is called "Eyewitness Classics". Anything coming from Eyewitness isn't usually from a Biblical worldview; they are just condensed versions of the classic book you are reading.
Right now we are reading Black Beauty, which has been very mild and yet enjoyable.

We read the Eyewitness version of Oliver Twist last week. Now anything by Charles Dickens is pretty depressing in my opinion, but they are true to life in his day and age. And I seriously doubt I will delve into Dickens very much with them any more until they are older, but in reading I think we were able to discuss a lot.

In his books,extreme poverty and sin brought on by lack and poverty (we all know this is a heart issue, but in his books the poverty appears to cause people to do horrible things). For an extremely sheltered child, this might be a little much. But I believe that a parent can take the mess a book makes and use it for good. My children learned that greed & selfishness and sin in general leads people down horrible paths. (and yes, I used my bookmark a couple of times to cover up some pictures that were a little "much")

I really do not know how to say what I am thinking except that I think it is important for PARENTS to be the ones to educate their children about sin issues. If I shelter my children to the degree that I avoid these things, then I am shirking my duty. Period. If I let their peers educate them, then I think that it's even worse.

My children will find out and possibly discern things in a distorted view if I decide to just avoid educating them about life.

II Peter 3:15 says "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear".

So... yes, I do read books from the library and yes, some of them are from an evolutionary or non-Biblical perspective. But I do not leave it at that.... we discuss what is wrong and where the writers are coming from. And if needed, we look up what the Bible says about it.

Of course if there is something that I feel is not appropriate to discuss, then I leave it out or cover it up.

Deuteronomy 11:19 (King James Version)
19And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

I want my children to have discernment. Yes, we live our lives "because the Bible says so", but in addition to that,I want them to be able to answer "why".

We live in wicked times and the world needs intelligent, bold men who are not afraid to "give an answer." I pray that the Lord will give wisdom!