I recently shared a newsletter about apologetics and evangelism in homeschooling. In addition to my own daily Bible study, I’m also involved in book clubs with fellow homeschool moms and sisters in Christ. Lately, we read and discussed Friendish by Kelly Needham, Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer, Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer, and Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace. It has me thinking about the ways I’m integrating my Christian faith into my life. Perhaps, most importantly, is how I am instilling essential Christian principles and values in my children. The ability to teach your kids how to defend their Christian faith using apologetics can be a rewarding and empowering process.
Here are some steps you can take to teach your kids how to defend their Christian faith:
Understand the Basics Yourself
Before you can teach your kids, make sure you have a basic understanding of apologetics and common arguments for the Christian faith. This will help you guide your kids effectively.
Start with the Foundations
Begin by teaching your kids the foundational beliefs of Christianity, such as the existence of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, and the reliability of the Bible. Help them understand these beliefs and why they are important, especially in comparison to other worldviews.
Break it down: What is a worldview?
A worldview is a collection of claims that explain reality.
All worldviews:
- start with assumptions
- tell us what is real and what is the source of all things
- tell us what is real and what is the source of all things
- have beliefs about how to live
- have to answer basic questions on origin, purpose, and destiny
Test Your Worldview:
- Does it fit the facts?
- Does it have contradictions?
- Is it useful in life?
How our worldview affects our ethics:
There are 3 basic theories of human rights used to run governments: Judeo-Christian natural law, social contract theory, and legal positivism.
- Judeo-Christian natural law says human rights are a gift of God, and any man-made laws that violate those are invalid.
- Social contract theory says government is an agreement among individuals to restrict their freedom in order to live together. People will decide what they will allow and what they will not.
- Legal positivism is simply this: the law is whatever the government says it is.
Introduce Apologetics Concepts
In apologetics, some of the most common and foundational arguments include:
Cosmological Argument: This argument asserts that the universe must have a cause because everything that begins to exist has a cause, and since the universe began to exist, it must have a cause to avoid infinite regress. The cause must be outside of itself, outside of time, space, and matter, being uncaused itself, timeless, immaterial, and immensely powerful, which Christians believe is God.
Teleological Argument (Argument from Design): This argument suggests that the universe exhibits evidence of design, finely tuned with precision, implying a designer. It points to the complexity and order in the universe, from the structure of atoms to the laws of physics and mathematics, as evidence of an intelligent designer, which Christians identify as God.
Moral Argument: The moral argument states that objective moral values exist and are best explained by the existence of God. It argues that if God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist, but since objective moral values do exist, God must exist as their foundation.
Historical Argument for the Resurrection: This argument focuses on the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ because if the resurrection is true, then Christianity is true. It points to the details of Jesus’ crucifixion, his empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples and hundreds of other eye witnesses, and the transformation of the early disciples, who went down as martyrs as evidence for the truth of Christianity.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Encourage your kids to think critically about their faith and the world around them. Help them see that faith and reason are not opposed, but rather complement each other.
Follow Debates:
- Does evolution explain the world?
- Does creation explain the world?
- Is there evidence for events claimed in The Old Testament?
- Is there evidence for Jesus’ life, death and resurrection?
- What are the prevailing conspiracy theories regarding the resurrection?
Understand Postmodern Claims and Contradictions:
- Today’s postmodern culture suggests there is no objective truth, just interpretations by different people and cultures, and all are equally valid.
- Take the resurrection of Jesus as an example. In postmodern thought, the “Christian truth” is Jesus rose from the dead, while in the “Muslim truth,” He didn’t even die on the cross, let alone rise from the dead.
- If something is logically inconsistent, it cannot be true.
- In the above example, there is an obvious contradiction, and both cannot be right.
Practice Engaging with Others
Encourage your kids to engage respectfully with others who may have different beliefs. Teach them how to ask questions, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully.
Provide Resources
Give your kids access to an array of books, websites, and other learning materials that can help them deepen their understanding of apologetics and strengthen their faith.
Lead by Example
Finally, lead by example. Let your kids see how you engage with your faith and how you defend it in your own life. Your influence alone can be a powerful teaching tool.
By following these steps, you can help your kids develop a strong foundation in apologetics and equip them to defend their Christian faith with confidence and grace.
Christianity stands as a beacon of hope and truth, offering a profound perspective on life’s deepest questions. Its rich history, supported by countless testimonies, miracles, and transformed lives, speaks to a reality beyond mere chance or coincidence. The moral and ethical teachings of Christianity resonate deeply with our innate sense of right and wrong, pointing to a higher moral order. Moreover, the fulfillment of countless prophecies in the life of Jesus Christ provides compelling evidence of divine intervention in human history. As we explore the intricacies of the natural world and the complexity of the human experience, Christianity offers a comprehensive framework that not only explains our existence but also provides a path to purpose, meaning, and eternal significance.
