Focus on the Family Africa

Raising Your Kids to Defend Their Faith

Episode 1: The Importance of Apologetics

In Episode 1, Natasha Crain encourages parents to learn about the truths of Christianity and how to answer common questions about the faith. It may seem intimidating at first, and it will definitely take some time and practice. But if you ask God to guide you, the Holy Spirit will be with you as you learn. Once you get started, you’ll feel encouraged that your children trust you as the primary shaper of their faith.

Key Takeaway From This Episode

God has given parents the privilege and responsibility of helping children learn, understand, and grow in the Christian faith and in a personal relationship with Jesus.
Your role isn’t easy. In fact, it can be daunting if you don’t feel like a Bible scholar. But God is with you and will equip you by the Holy Spirit to discover and learn together. Remember these encouraging words from Psalm 119:105 (ESV): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.”
Your church may or may not provide help in teaching your children to defend their faith. That’s okay. This video series is designed to be a resource to help you get started in learning more about apologetics. Along the way, we’ll point you to helpful tools to deepen your understanding.

Get More Out Of This Series

We want to come alongside you and point you to the best resources possible:

Step 1

Read and meditate on this scripture:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“
– 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

Step 2

Check out the article bundle – Leading Your Child To Christ, about introducing your children to God, sharing about His big story, the hope we have in the Gospel, and ways they can connect to God throughout their lives.

Step 3

Natasha Crain’s book – Talking With Your Kids About God will help equip you as a parent to have important conversations with your children about Jesus and the Christian faith. This is a perfect companion book for the Raising Your Kids to Defend Their Faith video series.

Episode 2: Exposing Your Kids to Other Ideas

In the second episode, Natasha Crain explains how Christian parents can embrace the fact that they don’t always have an immediate answers and may have our own doubts. Watch below as Natasha shows parents how to press forward through their own doubts or uncertainties.

Key Takeaway From This Episode

It is wise for you to think carefully about what media and cultural influences your children see and hear. But shielding your kids from all non-Christian sources may not be the best answer.
Your children can mature in their faith by learning why secular values and ideas conflict with God’s Word and how Christians can offer biblical responses to challenges to the faith.
Doubts and questioning can be healthy if they lead to searching the Scriptures. Talk openly about the difficult aspects of following Jesus and seek answers together. As your kids grow older and have their own questions, you will be a safe and reliable source for answers.
As a mom or dad, you ought to encourage your children to make the Christian faith their own, not just because you believe it.

Get More Out Of This Series

We want to come alongside you and point you to the best resources possible:

Step 1

Read and meditate on this scripture:

“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.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

Step 2

Download the Bible Detectives PDF for a fun way to improve biblical literacy as a family.

Step 3

Download the Agents of Truth PDF for a series of exciting missions on defending against common faith challenges.

Episode 3: Know Whose Voices You Are Listening To

An atheist might ask, “If God exists, why doesn’t He write something in the sky to help us know who He is?” or “Where did the universe come from?” But our faith isn’t a blind leap in the dark. In Episode 3, Natasha Crain shows parents how to approach this and similar types of questions from their children. Knowing the answers to these questions — and where and how we got the Bible — will help you point to objective evidence outside your personal experience with God.

Key Takeaway From This Episode

Your personal testimony is important. But you can’t export your faith to someone else. You need objective evidence outside of your faith experience to help someone else seek the truth.
A good place to start is Scripture. Parents should teach their children where the Bible came from and why we can trust it as true. Bible stories or songs don’t answer challenges to history, accuracy, and authority.
Point kids to the evidence we have in the physical universe and on earth, then ask good questions, including “What’s the best explanation for these things?”

Get More Out Of This Series

Read and meditate on this scripture:

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.“
– Romans 1:19-20 (ESV)

Episode 4: The Most Critical Question

In Episode 4, Natasha Crain points out ways moms and dads can help their kids connect with God and keep communication lines open. When doubts creep in, don’t panic. Ask questions and keep praying.

Key Takeaway From This Episode

If your kids express doubts about the Christian faith, acknowledge that trusting in an unseen God can be difficult. It’s not like relating to friends at school.
But God does give us ways to know Him. Show them how God speaks to you through His Word, through prayer, through other believers, and through serving.
If you are feeling desperate because your children are getting older and don’t seem to have any interest in God, remember to pray and keep the relationship lines open. Ask them questions. Tell them you want to hear their objections or doubts and understand their point of view. Keep the relationship open by interacting with them.

Get More Out Of This Series

We want to come alongside you and point you to the best resources possible:

Step 1

Read and meditate on this scripture:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“
– 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

Step 2

Check out the article bundle – Leading Your Child To Christ, about introducing your children to God, sharing about His big story, the hope we have in the Gospel, and ways they can connect to God throughout their lives.

Step 3

Episode 5: Some Closing Encouragement

Raising kids to know and love God isn’t always easy. But life with Jesus is the most abundant and purposeful life there is. In the fifth and final video, Jim Daly encourages parents about their love for their children and God’s love for all of us. The Christian life is life-changing, and there is nothing greater then seeing your child embrace the Christian faith.

Key Takeaway From This Episode

Putting your trust and faith in Jesus changes everything. You are a new creation in Christ!
Being reborn into God’s kingdom changes your life, your marriage, and your parenting. Focus on the Family wants to walk alongside you and encourage you in all those areas.
We have a FREE resource, Coming Home: An Invitation to Join God’s Family, to help you on your way.
We would also love to communicate with you directly! Feel free to contact us for more information.

Get More Out Of This Series

We want to come alongside you and point you to the best resources possible:

Step 1

Read and meditate on this scripture:

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)