Beginners' Apologetics for Kids
- City of Refuge Ministries
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Apologetics
When we talk about apologetics within the Christian spectrum, we're referring to the knowledge to give a reasoned answer or defense for the faith that we hold. The word apologetics is from the Greek word apologia (ἀπολογία), and we also see the word in the New Testament passage of 1 Peter 3:15:
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Making an apologia is not simply about arguing with others or winning an argument. Apologetics is about honoring Christ and his word by growing in your understanding of his word and truth. Apologetics is about having a solid handle on our hope in Christ and our faith. Apologetics is about a readiness to share our faith with friends, family, and sometimes even those who are anti-Christian faith. Apologetics is about engaging culture and pointing people to Christ and the truthfulness of God's word. Christians should be able to express/defend the hope of their faith with reason and soundness.
But Not Only Adults
Apologetics starts with Biblical learning, and Biblical learning should begin when we are children. Parents, we have a responsibility to teach our children about God's word.
4“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
Giving our children a solid foundation on the basics of God, his nature, his redemptive plan, Christ death, resurrection, and the future hope of his return is one of the greatest things we can do for our children.
Below are some resources and steps that we can take to get them into their learning. The age of the child will determine the depth of these steps.
Prayer with and for your child. Prayer is essential and the Bible teaches us that we should always pray, and this is no different with our children. When you pray with your child, you teach them how to communicate with God and give them the confidence that they can go to God boldly. Sometimes as a parent, you need to lead the prayer, and sometimes allow them to. Even if they don't seem to say everything right, don't discourage them, allow the innocence of their language to seek God honestly as they grow; in their understanding, they will grow in their language.
Read the Bible with your Children and teach them to read by themselves. There are Bible resources for kids below. God has chosen his written word as one of the main ways to reveal who he is and what he has done. The Bible is God's story, and if you want your kids to know God's story, you have to have them read God's word. As they get older, teach them not only to read but to study God's word. Create a reading plan for them, and don't overwhelm them; maybe only do a verse or two a day or a chapter a week. Have them progress in their reading as they get older. Ask them to give you a review to the best of their ability, of what they read. You can also ask them questions about what they read to help them retain it.
Take your kids to church. There is no substitute for allowing your children to be in the community of believers. It is important not only that you take your kids to church but that they see you going. Seeing their parents excited about going to a place of worship and preaching of God's word would only serve as a support of their own desire to seek after God. In church, they will also learn and be taught about God and the Bible.
Provide other reading resources that can help on their level to explain the Bible and doctrines within the Bible. Kids learn through being taught, so while prayer and reading the Bible are essential, there are other resources that can be entertaining and educational for your children. There are resources below with links to obtain them.
