Equip Your Family to Stand Firm in Their Faith

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“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” –Psalm 127: 4-5 (NKJV)

Early in our homeschooling journey, our family attended a homeschool conference in Washington, D.C., which significantly shaped our outlook as parents—not just as homeschooling parents, but as followers of Christ.

As we walked along the National Mall for the first time in the humid heat of May, taking in historical sights and awe-inspiring memorials, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for the sacrifices made to secure our freedom. I was reminded that I can't ignore the ongoing battle to ensure those freedoms for our next generation, a message that resonated throughout the conference.

Scripture tells us that we are to be prepared for spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual enemies looking for every opportunity to take us out (Eph. 6:12). And as parents, God has given us a very specific role in equipping our children to defend themselves with God’s armor and the authority of His Word while they are in our care.

While I used to be overwhelmed by fear that I might not be able to do “all the things” to ensure our daughters were prepared for success in life, I gained confidence in learning that God created them to be “arrows”—sharpened and sent out, not just carefully guarded, so they can make an impact in this spiritual battle (Psalm 127:5). It’s been 12 years since our family of five road-tripped from Colorado to Washington, D.C. for that conference, and I can see our perspective shift bearing fruit as I watch my daughters live out their faith in ways unique to their callings.

What changed that summer? We began intentionally equipping our children to defend their faith by integrating Christian apologetics into our lessons and discussions. This is especially critical in the age of moral relativism we live in (1 Peter 3:15-16), and it’s never too soon to start!

What does it mean to be ready to give a good defense, answer, or reason for our faith, as the apostle Peter describes? Exactly what answers should we be teaching our children, and do we know those answers ourselves?

First, check your own foundation. Do you know what you believe about your faith and why? Are you standing on the solid ground Jesus described in Matt. 7:24-27, so you can withstand the storms of skepticism? If the term “apologetics” is new to you, I suggest learning more through focused resources (such as those from author Alisa Childers) to help you strengthen and defend your own faith.

As parents, we need to move beyond Bible “stories” and teach our children that the answers to man’s most skeptical questions are, in fact, found in Scripture. We also need to understand that our starting point, which is the authority of God’s word, can’t be compromised by trying to conform Biblical views into man’s solutions, such as meshing atheistic scientific theories with Genesis creation to prove that these contradicting explanations can somehow coexist.

Lastly, God instructs parents to live lives that reflect our transformed hearts—in front of our children and outside the home. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Friend, if you’re a parent feeling overwhelmed by the rising tide of rebellion against the truth of God’s Word, take comfort in the knowledge that God has appointed you and your children to live in this time in history (Acts 17:26). He knows how difficult the spiritual battle has become, and He will equip you and your children for the particular conflicts you will face when you firmly plant your feet in the truth of Scripture.

Pray always, put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), and prepare your children to be the effective arrows God created them to be.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does the mission of Deuteronomy 6:5-7 mean to you?

2. Have you ever considered providing your children with education in biblical apologetics? If so, what tools or resources have you used?

3. If this idea is new to you, does the message of equipping your family to become defenders of their faith resonate with you?