Parenting and Apologetics
How is Christian parenting related to apologetics? In this post, my friend, Sarah Ankenman, talks about raising your kids to be life-long believers in Christ. And she explains why both mom and dad need to be equipped to defend the faith.
Sarah’s the President of the International Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA). She blogs at http://valleygirlapologist.blogspot.com/
Guest Post from the Valley Girl Apologist
The International Society of Women in Apologetics just released their new curriculum. I know what you are thinking: “So what?” Well, I’ll tell you what. [highlight]It’s time for women to get equipped—no ifs, ands, or buts.[/highlight]
I’ll be honest. When I first started ISWA, I felt called to youth ministry. I didn’t know what I was doing, starting an apologetics ministry geared towards women when I really wanted a ministry like Brett Kunkle’s or Sean McDowell’s.
But you know what I realized the more I spoke with teens? That by the time they get to high school, we have already lost them. And there are too many of them for the burden to rest solely on men like the ones mentioned above. [highlight]Youth pastors are not responsible for teaching your kids why they should be Christians.[/highlight] That’s right, you heard me.
The Task of Christian Parenting
[highlight]It’s your job, Mom and Dad, and nobody else’s. [/highlight]And that means that you both need to be equipped for that job. There are plenty of apologetics materials out there for Dad, but Mom needs something that equips her heart, mind, and soul, as well.
Proverbs 22:66 says to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it. The NIV says to “start” children off in the way they should go. This implies you are the beginner of the path your child will eventually take and stay on as an adult, so shouldn’t you be giving them everything they will need to be successful in staying on that path?
Just Imagine…
Imagine if parents sat down with their kids and their homework and textbooks, and explained to them how Christian apologists have already dismantled the humanistic theories and arguments proposed in their textbooks, and exposed the reality that many atheists willingly ignore good evidence.
Imagine if that lasted throughout their junior high and high school years. Who do you think the kid would be calling for answers to questions he has about what his Atheistic professor is teaching at college? Wouldn’t it be awesome if it was Mom and Dad instead of the professor?
Basic Training
However, you must be equipped yourself in order to equip your kids. Otherwise, how will you know how to recognize faulty reasoning and bad science in your kid’s textbook if you don’t know what they are for yourself?
[highlight]ISWA U is free and available to any woman that has the desire to equip her children to become life-long believers.[/highlight] Study to show yourself approved, and train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is older, God promises that he will not depart from it. Can you think of anything be better (or more important) than knowing for sure you will spend eternity with your children?
Yeah, I didn’t think so.
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Women In Apologetics
Sarah Ankenman and the team at ISWA help Christian women to confidently answer tough questions about the faith. I’m excited about what my sisters are doing to contend for the faith, equip the saints, and advance the cause of Christ in today’s world.
Check out the free resources on ISWA U.
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