I have already admitted in previous posts I have a serious issue with assuming. When I first started speaking to other Christian parents about the need of apologetic training in the home, I assumed they’d see the need for their themselves and their families. Unfortunately, it is often not the case. Just out of personal courtesy, I usually receive a respectful nod, and a change of subject. In some cases, I’ve actually had parents tell me they had no desire to learn to defend what they believe. I always think of the scriptural mandate found in 1 Peter 3:15.
If a person grows up relevantly strong in their faith, never questioning, never really doubting anything in their Christian walk, I can see why they don’t see the urgency and necessity of apologetics. (Side note: My guess is they have never been challenged, not necessarily never doubted.) However, there is a responsibility on all believers to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have, doing this with gentleness and respect.
And if this was not already clear to me in my charge as one of the spiritual leaders of the home, it would have been after reading Talking with Your Kids about God by Natasha Crain. Even as someone who studies and writes on the topic, I have been introduced to a few organizations I feel are worth exploring and sharing with parents. What I enjoyed about this book is Natasha introduces you to the sites and the information it provides its seekers, but then explores the subject further.
With the growing number of adults identifying as atheists, we should expect programs would be created to help educate children of atheist parents. In Section 2 of Crain’s book, Science and God, she mentions a summer camp called Camp Quest. Campers ages 8 to 17 can participate. Just think of it like Christian camp, just for atheists. They partake in normal camp activities but instead of learning about the Christian worldview, they participate in free-thought activities that help educate a child on the atheistic worldview. (pg.87) These camps, located in fifteen locations around the United States, have a popular activity called the Invisible Unicorn Challenge. You’ll just have to get her book and learn what this is all about! I just think it is important for you to know this place exists.
Here’s the mission statement from the camp’s website:
OUR MISSION
Camp Quest provides an educational adventure shaped by fun, friends and freethought, featuring science, natural wonder and humanist values.
You can also go to their FAQS page for more information.
There is another organization called The American Humanist Association (AHA). AHA promotes that “reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for how you act toward someone else.” AHA is highly influential and has hundreds of local chapters. (pg. 83) Key issues are LGBT community, reproductive rights, women’s rights, secular government, promoting peace, scientific integrity and civil and human rights.
The AHA created on their website something called Kids Without God. The statement on the welcome page reads on these lines: “a site for young people who embrace science, reject superstition and dedicated to being GOOD without GOD.”
In other words, God isn’t needed to be good. (The view is in opposition with he Christian worldview.)
Parents, we are barely scratching the surface of what our children will face. Many are facing this now. In fact, we have conversations with young people all the time who claim they believe in science, not God. These aren’t twenty somethings who found their faith lacking in college! These are children barely out of grade school!
So my question is this: Why are we not preparing our children to defend what we believe while those who oppose the Christian worldview are? We cannot wait to spiritually prepare our children. It starts today. Natasha Crain’s book can help.
I was a huge fan of her first book and have mentioned the need for it in my post Raising Atheist. However, her approach on information, like I mentioned above, can be new to a parent who has never been exposed to different worldviews. However, all the topics she addresses are palatable to the novice or the apologetic guru. She has taken a topic that is often intimidating and makes it parent friendly. My favorite part of the book is the conversational guide.
Talking with Your Kids about God is a must on every parent’s nightstand!
If you know raising children who can defend their faith is important, I encourage you to check out Talking with Your Kids about God. It is available for Pre-order. It is one book you will finish!
*I have the honor of being a part of Natasha Crain’s launch team for her new book, Talking With Your Kids About God. Thank you for letting me be a small part of this journey!
RebeccaLynn says
Great post! I completely agree that teaching our children apologetics is one of the most important tools we can give them in life. I wish I would have had a deeper understanding of my faith when I was a child. You are spot on about 1 Peter 3:15! With the help of Natasha’s book, and the many other wonderful resources out there, parents have no excuse not to raise a generation of warriors!
Sarah West says
Amen! Thank you!