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Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

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By: Nick Dixon

The Bible says that every Christian is to “give a defense” for their faith in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). The word for “defense” is apologia in the Greek, which is where we get the word “apologize” from. That doesn’t mean Christians must say, “I’m sorry for being a Christian!” What it does mean though is that every Christian needs to learn how to defend their faith, and that includes kids also. Kids and adults need to learn not just what to believe, but also why they should believe it. This is called apologetics.

Should we teach kids to defend their faith?

Many statistics show that a significant number of young adults who have faithfully attended church and Sunday School, eventually check out of church after graduation. Many have expressed that they feel like church is “not for them anymore” because they only learned what to believe, without learning why they should believe it. Also, many experienced their first doubts in middle and high school but did not know what to do about it.

So, what can we as KidMin leaders do about it?

In the words of Gandalf, as the enemies approached Gondor in the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King…

Prepare for battle!

It is our calling and privilege to help prepare kids for the battle that is coming. So, keep teaching the Bible. Keep sharing the good news of Jesus. But also, help kids understand the why of their faith. Before long kids will sincerely begin to ask (even if only internally):

  • “Is God real?”
  • “Why do bad things happen?”
  • “Did Jesus really rise from the dead?”
  • “Can I trust the Bible?”

Integrate apologetics into your Bible lesson

As you teach Bible stories to children, consider how that story could be doubted later. Then supplement your lesson with a brief activity or object lesson, equipping kids with the “why” of their faith. Here are some examples:

Is your lesson about creation?

Play a game of dominoes with the kids and point out that just as the “dominoes” needed a first cause to fall over, so also the world needed a first cause. God started the world.

Is your lesson about sin and evil?

Illustrate that sin and evil are both real, by helping them to see the difference between facts (e.g., “Name-calling is wrong”) and opinions (e.g., “Sushi is delicious”). Right and wrong come from God.

Is your lesson about the resurrection of Jesus?

Use a magnifying glass to help kids look for hidden clues like detectives. Include facts, such as:

  • “Jesus died”
  • “Jesus was buried”
  • “The tomb was empty”
  • “Over 500 witnesses”
  • “The disciples were willing to suffer.”

The evidence points to Jesus being alive! And since Jesus rose again, we can trust everything He said!

Also, be sure to point out fulfilled prophecies as you see them in your Bible lessons. Show kids that God’s Word is trustworthy!

Ideas are endless for more apologetics activities and object lessons. It’s my prayer that more KidMin teachers will intentionally integrate apologetics into their Bible lessons to help prepare kids for the battle for their faith.

Nick Dixon received his B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Boyce College and his MDiv in Christian Ministries from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Nick is married to Stephanie, and they have 3 children: Luke, Joel, and Ava. Nick is the children’s pastor at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, MO, and is passionate about equipping kids and families to follow Jesus.
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