How Can My Spouse and I Answer Difficult Faith Questions from Our Children? - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - June 26
How Can My Spouse and I Answer Difficult Faith Questions from Our Children?
By Vivian Bricker
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Once children get to a certain age, they ask a lot of questions. Sometimes it can feel as though children only ask “Why?” or “How come?” to question our authority as adults, but they are actually just very curious. During childhood, children are learning a vast amount of information and they turn to their parents for answers. If you have children, you may already have noticed them asking you, “Why is the sky blue? Why do seasons change? Why do we have to get older?”
While some of these questions are easier to answer than others, what are we supposed to do when our children ask us difficult faith questions? If you are in this place today, first know that it is okay to say that you don't know the answer, but that you will find the answer for them. The most important thing is to not make up an answer just to give your kids an answer. Research the matter for yourself and come back to your child with an answer.
Additionally, it is important to go ahead and start teaching our children about God from a young age, but at the same time, we shouldn't teach them mindless information. I have seen far too many parents teach their children repetitive patterns of the faith, yet the kids don't actually even know what any of it means. Teaching your children the members of the Trinity just for them to repeat the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit isn't actually doing anything to teach them about the Trinity.
This is why it is important for parents to take their time with their children when it comes to matters of faith. We don't need to overload them all at once as we need to look at their age and assess what they can learn. For example, a child younger than 9 or 10 probably won't be able to fully understand the Gospel. However, for some children, they might understand it earlier and for other children, it might take until their young adult years to fully accept the Gospel.
The timing doesn't matter as much as the true validity of placing faith in Jesus. Far too many children say they have placed faith in Jesus just to get cheers on Sunday from the church and their parents. Ensure your children don't feel like they have to place faith in Jesus in order to have a celebration. Rather, they should place faith in Jesus because they genuinely understand the Gospel and want to accept Him as their Savior.
Therefore, don’t push your children into accepting Jesus when they are not ready. It is better to continue to talk about Jesus, share the Gospel, and teach them about the Bible, but there should never be a “reward” given when they place faith in Jesus. Telling children they will have a special party or candy if they place faith in Jesus is a bad motivator. Instead, we need to encourage children to come to know Jesus freely, not under compulsion.
The Bible says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). As you and your spouse are teaching your children about the Lord and the Bible, remember these wise words from the Book of Proverbs. Teach your children about the Bible and doing good, and they will not stray from it. Educating your children and building their morals at a young age will help them grow to be wonderful children of the Lord.
Seek out help from God in prayer and lean on His support. Together with your spouse, you will be able to answer any hard questions about the Bible and Christianity. In truth, you and your spouse might even learn more about the Bible yourselves by answering these difficult questions for your children. Start them off in the Bible, continue to teach them, and help them understand any difficult concepts.
“Dear God, my spouse and I are noticing our children are asking more difficult questions of the faith. Please help us to answer these questions in a way that is correct and helpful. Also, please help us to train our children in Your Word. Amen.”
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