The ABCs of Apologetics for Kids
Helping kids answer (and understand) the tough questions of the Bible
By Stefanie Reubell
Christian kids will encounter questions about their faith through peers, teachers, and even parents. As their spiritual mentor, you can help them develop apologetics for their faith—and also equip them to discover biblical answers for themselves in the future.
A: Ask
Ask questions while you teach rather than simply spoon-feeding answers. Our goal as teachers should not be to create thoughtless automatons repeating our beliefs but vibrant, thinking kids who know how to defend their faith because it has been internalized.
B: Borrow
Borrow from the experts! Research tricky issues yourself, collecting books like The Bible Jesus Read that can help you understand tough Bible passages in a new way. Recommend books parents can read to their children to help them better understand their faith, like the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series. If kids are old enough to read themselves, recommend a book kids can read themselves or use in class, like Dear God, Let’s Talk About You. Some web sites to help you research: www.answersingenesis.org; www.apologeticspress.org; www.apologetics.com.
C: Create
Create an atmosphere where kids feel comfortable questioning the Bible. Jesus wasn’t intimidated by questions, and teachers shouldn’t be, either! Consider developing a web site for your class and include a “Q&A” section through which they can voice questions and discover answers together.
D: Define
Define cultural terms students have never heard; read the Dictionary of Hermeneutics for some extra help. Give little history lessons as you teach—use supplementary books like Introduction to the History of Christianity or the NIV Learning Bible, or pick easy-to-use computer software like QuickVerse 2005. The Bible is steeped in the cultural language and cultural understandings of its time; knowing history will help kids comprehend hard-to-grasp language and concepts.
E: Encourage
Encourage kids to study the Bible and pray. Let them know the Bible is meant to be understood through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, so approaching Bible study prayerfully is a must.
F: Familiarize
Familiarize kids with a good concordance. They learn the dictionary in school; they can learn a Bible concordance in Sunday School. You’ll see future leaders developing right before your eyes! Check out The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance or Where to Find it in the Bible.
With patience and a humble heart, you can encourage your class to search out the greater truths of the Bible for themselves. Give kids a great gift by helping them learn apologetics for their faith. Give them a greater gift by teaching them to measure that knowledge with love.
