Picture this: your ten-year-old comes home from school asking, “Mom, my teacher said we evolved from monkeys. Is that true?” This is an opportunity to teach biblical truth, helping your child develop a genuine desire to seek evidence alongside their personal faith experience.
Nature: God’s First Textbook
When you’re on a family hike and your six-year-old marvels at a butterfly, talk about the incredible transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, the precise wing patterns, and the navigation abilities that guide monarch butterflies thousands of miles. Connect it to Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Here are some practical nature-based faith conversations:
- Stargazing: Use astronomy apps to explore constellations while discussing Psalm 147:4 (“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name”)
- Garden lessons: Plant seeds together and talk about Jesus’ parables while watching growth happen
- Beach trips: Collect shells and discuss the mathematical precision in their spirals, connecting to God as the ultimate mathematician. Research the Fibonacci code together.
- Weather watching: Use thunderstorms to discuss God’s power (Psalm 29) and rainbows to remember His promises (Genesis 9:13)
The Four Foundation Questions
A solid biblical worldview answers life’s biggest questions in ways that secular worldviews simply can’t match. Here’s how to make these concepts accessible for children:
Origin: Where Do I Come From?
The Question: “Mommy, where did people come from?” Biblical Answer: “God created the first people, Adam and Eve, in His own image” (Genesis 1:27) Practical Application: Look at family photos and talk about how each person reflects something special about God’s character. Create a family tree that goes all the way back to “God created…”
Morality: How Do I Determine Good from Evil?
The Question: “Why is it wrong to lie if it doesn’t hurt anyone?” Biblical Answer: God’s character defines right and wrong (Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil”) Practical Application: When facing moral decisions, ask “What would Jesus do?” but also “What does God’s Word say?” Create simple scenarios during family devotions: “What if you found money on the playground?”
Purpose: Why Am I Here?
The Question: “What’s the point of life anyway?” Biblical Answer: We exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”) Practical Application: Help children discover their unique gifts and how God might use them. Maybe your artistic child could create beauty that points others to God, or your compassionate child could serve those in need.
Destiny: What Happens When I Die?
The Question: “Will I see Grandpa again?” Biblical Answer: Those who trust in Jesus have eternal life with God (John 14:2-3: “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you”) Practical Application: Create a “Heaven Journal” where family members can write or draw what they’re looking forward to about eternity with God.
The Truth About Truth
Your child will soon encounter a world that claims “your truth is your truth, and my truth is my truth.” This relativistic thinking sounds tolerant, but it’s actually quite dangerous. Help your children understand that absolute truth exists, and it’s found in God’s Word.
Here’s how to prepare them for common relativistic statements they’ll encounter, using the brilliant approach from Gregory Koukl’s “Tactics”:
When someone says: “There is no truth.” Your child can respond: “Is that statement true?”
When someone says: “There are no absolutes.” Your child can respond: “Are you absolutely sure about that?”
Remember Jesus’ example—He answered over 300 questions with questions of His own. This technique helps people think more deeply about their assumptions.
Building Confidence Through Practice
Create low-stakes opportunities for your children to practice defending their faith:
- Family devotions: Let older children take turns leading discussions
- Role-playing: Practice conversations they might have with friends
- Research projects: Assign age-appropriate topics they can explore and present
- Service opportunities: Show faith in action through community service
- Mentorship: Connect them with mature believers who can answer questions you can’t
Remember Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” You’re not just teaching facts—you’re building a foundation that will serve them for life.
*******
Lee Ann Mancini is the author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ, Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God, founder of Raising Christian Kids, adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary, and executive producer of the animated series Sea Kids on Right Now Media, Pure Flix, Answers.tv, Minno, and Yippee. Lee Ann is the mother of two adult children and lives with her husband in South Florida, where she passionately pursues her calling to help parents raise lifelong Christ-followers.
