4 ways to do apologetics with your family

Really search together for the actual answers to the actual questions.  This apologetics search engine will help on the spot, if the books you own are not forthcoming.  Is faith bad?  No.  Should we have it?  Yes.  Faith is trust in what you have good reason to know.  Knowing does not erase faith—even the demons know—but they don’t trust.  Questions have answers, and failing to even look for them is admitting your faith has no grounding.  Kids can sense it, and statistics show many of them will eventually walk away from it, because God made our minds to hunger for truth…for him.  Feed them.Usually, interrupting is rude, but in this situation, you want to encourage your children to stop the reading if any questions pop into their eager minds (and allow you to do the same).  Let them know their questions are not rude—they matter and are the reason for the time you are spending together.The best defense against objections to the Bible is knowing what the Word actually says.  Feel free to skip the parts you or your kids find boring—come back to them later as the Spirit leads.  If something interests you that doesn’t interest the group, study it away from the group.  Yes, I’ve learned from experience.View the list »
Apologetics for the Family

General Religion newsletter

Moms in Modesto are no different than moms around the world when it comes to making sure our families know why Christianity is true: We need to do that! Maybe you’ve been neglecting teaching apologetics to your kids because you need to make it part of your routine, you think you need to know before you teach, or you are overwhelmed at how to make it accessible to your children? Carve out a time and stick to it—make it a rewarding part of the day everyone looks forward to, and learn together. Here are four things to keep in mind during that time:

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1. Start a Bible reading plan as a family at YouVersion.com. The best defense against objections to the Bible is knowing what the Word actually says. Feel free to skip the parts you or your kids find boring—come back to them later as the Spirit leads. If something interests you that doesn’t interest the group, study it away from the group. Yes, I’ve learned from experience.

2. Encourage “Why?” questions as you read through the Bible, et cetera. Usually, interrupting is rude, but in this situation, you want to encourage your children to stop the reading if any questions pop into their eager minds (and allow you to do the same). Let them know their questions are not rude—they matter and are the reason for the time you are spending together.

3. Discourage “Just have faith” answers. Really search together for the actual answers to the actual questions. This apologetics search engine will help on the spot, if the books you own are not forthcoming. Is faith bad? No. Should we have it? Yes. Faith is trust in what you have good reason to know. Knowing does not erase faith—even the demons know—but they don’t trust. Questions have answers, and failing to even look for them is admitting your faith has no grounding. Kids can sense it, and statistics show many of them will eventually walk away from it, because God made our minds to hunger for truth…for him. Feed them.

4. Invest in material that is appropriate for your child’s level of learning. Here are several lists of books, videos and other curricula:

ISWA’s Equipping Your Family

Tim McGrew’s Recommended Apologetics Reading

Ratio Christi’s Apologetics Resources for Kids

Chris Shannon’s Apologetics Resources for Equipping Youth

Shandon Guthrie’s Kids’ Korner

Here’s a little taste of what’s available for kids in the “9 and up” age range:

Lee Strobel’s Case for Faith for Kids summary with commentary

What works for you? Share in the comments! :0)

View the list
  • The best defense against objections to the Bible is knowing what the Word actually says.  Feel free to skip the parts you or your kids find boring—come back to them later as the Spirit leads.  If something interests you that doesn’t interest the group, study it away from the group.  Yes, I’ve learned from experience.
  • Usually, interrupting is rude, but in this situation, you want to encourage your children to stop the reading if any questions pop into their eager minds (and allow you to do the same).  Let them know their questions are not rude—they matter and are the reason for the time you are spending together.
  • Really search together for the actual answers to the actual questions.  This apologetics search engine will help on the spot, if the books you own are not forthcoming.  Is faith bad?  No.  Should we have it?  Yes.  Faith is trust in what you have good reason to know.  Knowing does not erase faith—even the demons know—but they don’t trust.  Questions have answers, and failing to even look for them is admitting your faith has no grounding.  Kids can sense it, and statistics show many of them will eventually walk away from it, because God made our minds to hunger for truth…for him.  Feed them.
  • Here are several lists of books, videos and other curricula:ISWA’s Equipping Your FamilyTim McGrew’s Recommended Apologetics ReadingRatio Christi’s Apologetics Resources for KidsChris Shannon’s Apologetics Resources for Equipping YouthShandon Guthrie’s Kids’ KornerHere’s a little taste of what’s available for kids in the “9 and up” age range:Lee Strobel’s Case for Faith for Kids summary with commentaryWhat works for you?  Share in the comments! :0)
View the list

, Modesto Apologetics Examiner

A para-educator (autism) for five years and undergraduate student with a Certificate in Apologetics through Biola University, Maryann loves apologetics and philosophy. Send Maryann an email, visit her San Francisco column, and check out her freelancing blog.

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