Today we celebrate Washington’s birthday or President’s Day. George Washington was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War before becoming the first president of the United States.

Washington is an historic figure who, with our other founding fathers, changed the international political landscape for the past 200+ years. Is Washington important? Absolutely. Should we teach our children to believe he existed? Of course.

Jesus Christ is also an historic figure. He changed the religious landscape of the world for the past 2000+ years. Is Jesus important? Absolutely. Should we teach our children to believe he existed? Of course.

But there is a huge difference between these two people. When we say we believe in George Washington, we’re referring to an intellectual agreement with an historical fact. If two people disagree about whether Washington was a myth, it doesn’t change who they are today. But if two people disagree about whether Jesus was a myth…well, that’s an entirely different situation.

It all boils down to faith. You see, we usually define faith as belief. But it’s much more than just belief. James tells us, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 1:17). Faith is more than intellectual agreement. It is believing and acting on that belief. Having faith means changing the way we live because of what we believe. I might believe that one can cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope (as Nik Wallenda did last year), but that doesn’t mean I’m going to try it!

Teaching our children to have faith in Jesus will change their lives, now and for eternity. It’s more than just a history lesson.