Talking about the gospel should be one of the most natural things for a Christian parent, yet many of us find it unexpectedly challenging.
Despite our good intentions and the resources available, we still struggle to present the entire truth of the gospel to our children. This struggle often stems from the tension between modern parenthood and the truth of the Bible.
As parents, we fear overwhelming our children or feel like we lack the wisdom to explain these deep truths in a way they can understand. However, the gospel is the foundation of the life of faith. It can be shared in the simplest way, but it will help lay a solid foundation for our children to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
If you have ever felt conflicted about balancing these two, here are 18 reasons why it’s hard.
Fear of Offending Our Children
We might worry about how our children react to being told they are sinners. No parent wants to hurt their child’s feelings, but not talking about this risks not telling them the truth.
Yes, it may be uncomfortable, but understanding the need for redemption is critical to grasp God’s grace fully. Lovingly explain that we are all sinners in need of Jesus. This will help them see that the gospel message is ultimately one of hope, forgiveness, and a new life in Christ.Â
Modern Parenting Philosophies Complicate Things
Positive and gentle parenting may be helpful in some situations, but in others, it can make us avoid certain hard principles of the Word. Though these strategies are effective because they are about nurturing and understanding, they sometimes conflict with the Bible’s clear message about sin and the need for redemption.
Balance nurturing with the truth of God’s Word. As Christian parents, we are required to teach our children the truth about sin, accountability, and the need for repentance. Ephesians 6:4 reminds us to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” which means we can be firm and loving even as we guide them to the truth.
Humanist Thinking in Parenting
Humanist parenting emphasizes human goodness and self-reliance. This is great, however, it might unintentionally minimize the reality of sin. Many modern parenting methods stem from humanist ideas, which can dilute the gospel message, making it harder to communicate its necessity.
As Christian parents, it’s important to teach our kids that kindness and self-improvement are valuable, but redemption comes only from Jesus Christ.
The Sin Issue
It can be difficult to tell children that they have done something wrong and that there are consequences for their actions. However, it’s important to explain the concept of sin and the need for a savior to guide children in the right direction.
Desire to Shield Them from Harsh Truths
Every parent wants to protect their children from difficult realities, but this may cause us to trivialize sin and the need for repentance.
Children need to understand that God is just, loving, and compassionate. We are not harming them by telling them about sin.
Guilt Over Our Shortcomings
Sometimes, our own struggles with sin make us hesitant to confront it in our children. We might feel like hypocrites, but it’s important to remember that we all need grace.
Uncertainty About Age Appropriateness
When and how should we teach our children about the concept of sin? We may have difficulty determining when and in what manner the idea of sin should be imparted to our children. It’s easier than it seems to do so without frightening or confusing them.
The Influence of Secular Culture
Modern culture promotes a parenting style that is very self-esteem-oriented and that shuns the idea of sin and talking about sin in any context. This makes us shy about addressing the scary aspects of the gospel.
The Fear of Alienating Our Kids
There’s a fear that being too blunt with the gospel might make our children drift away, especially as they get older and begin to question their beliefs.
Competing Messages
In many cases, children are bombarded with too many messages, making it difficult for them to understand or accept the gospel.
Over-Reliance on Church and Story Bibles
The church and children’s Bibles are indeed very instrumental and useful. Still, the problem is when we become overly reliant on them to the point that children are not our responsibility to teach.
The Pressure To Be Perfect
There is a wrong belief that one has to know everything and be perfect in life if they are to present the gospel effectively. This pressure keeps us stuck and scared.
Misinterpretation of Gentle Parenting
Gentle parenting emphasizes understanding and empathy, which are important but can sometimes be misunderstood as avoiding difficult conversations about sin.
Lack of Confidence in Biblical Knowledge
When our children ask difficult questions about the gospel, we might feel unprepared to answer, making us hesitant to discuss it.
The Temptation to Be Liked
As parents, we want to be liked by our children, and at times, this feeling can backfire when we need to discuss matters that can bring about discomfort or uneasiness.
Fear of Making Errors
We may be concerned that we might say something incorrect or not manage the discussion well, which could make our children feel confused or scared.
Difficulty Balancing Grace and Truth
Communicating the gospel message effectively can be difficult, comparing sin’s absolute truth with Christ’s abundant grace. Finding the right balance between the two can be a challenge.
The Subtle Lies of The Enemy
The enemy uses clever lies to make us believe that sharing the gospel is too hard or that it’s not the right time. The first step to overcoming these lies is recognizing them.
Seek Wisdom From God
Parents should always look to God’s Word as our ultimate guide. By basing our parenting on scripture, we can navigate challenges and share the gospel truthfully and lovingly with our children. Let’s depend on prayer and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide our kids toward a deep, authentic relationship with Christ.
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Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.