A common secular argument in the present day is that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children. There are many arguments that are on the side of this theory; however, even though these arguments are secular, it is important for us to be aware of them.
If we are aware of them, we will be better equipped to know how to argue against them and point them to the truth. Here are four arguments that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children.
1. Children Want to Please Their Parents
One argument that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children is that children want to please their parents. From a very young age, children want to please their parents and win their parents' approval.
Even as adults, we can see ourselves trying to win the approval of our parents and wanting them to be proud of us. This especially rings true when we are children and something that shouldn't be taken lightly.
From a secular viewpoint, sharing the gospel with children is a form of indoctrination because they view it as the parents forcing their children to be Christians. As Christians, we know we should never force anyone to become a Christian, even our own children.
People are not saved out of wanting to please their parents. Rather, children can come to know Christ, but they have to do it for the right reasons. While many children will say they have accepted Christ to win the approval of their parents, it is best not to push matters on them right away.
Give them time to grow and learn. More likely than not, a profession of Christ at a young age might just be the desire for praise from family and friends.
It is important to share the gospel with children, but we don't need to overkill it or make it a point to share the gospel in every sentence. Children need time to fully understand what the Lord has done and to place faith in Him on their own accord — not out of influence.
2, Children Are Too Young
A second argument that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children is the argument that children are too young. When secular individuals argue this point, they are saying that children are too young to make a decision about their faith.&
To this point, I do agree because most children are too young to understand what it means to be a sinner or to know you are in need of a Savior. I have personally heard many conversion stories of individuals below the age of three accepting Christ, and they no longer believe.
It is highly unlikely that anyone this young could logically and intentionally make the decision to place faith in Christ. At the age of three, four, or five, we have concrete thinking, and when someone tells us that Jesus is in our hearts, we are literally going to think Jesus is in our hearts.
When sharing the gospel with children, we need to get on their level and understand how their minds work. In a way, they are too young to make a profession of faith; however, they are not too young to hear the truth of the gospel, the Bible, and God's love for them.
3. Children Should Be Allowed to Just Be Children
A third argument that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children is that children should be allowed to just be children. The argument behind this is that children should not be forced to grow up in any sort of religion or faith system.
They should have the freedom to just be a kid without fear of life, death, heaven, or hell. While all children should be allowed to be children, sharing the gospel with them is not indoctrination.
As mentioned, nobody should force a child to accept Christ; however, simply sharing the gospel is not a form of indoctrination. It is interesting as to how secular individuals will attack Christians sharing the gospel and their faith with children; however, the same argument isn't being projected on Muslims, Hindus, or Atheists.
An equal argument against atheism could be it is indoctrination for children to be taught in schools that there is no God and that when they die, everything stops.
This is a form of indoctrination that fails to be talked about because it talks about secular atheism itself. In other words, it's okay to attack Christianity, but it's not okay to speak against atheism or other religions.
4. It is a Political Movement
A fourth argument that it is indoctrination to share the gospel with children is that it is a political movement. With different beliefs coming out of the woodwork, such as the documentary starring the Duggars, we have been exposed to the thought that many individuals are raising their children with political agendas in mind.
As in the case of the family of the Duggars, they are not actually Christians because they believe in a cult. They follow the teachings of Bill Gothard, not the teaching of Christ. While Jill Duggar and Jinger Duggar have found Christ outside of their family's cult, there are still many who hold to this cult.
Even though many offshoots of Christianity, such as the Duggars' belief system, highlight the necessity of getting children into politics, that is not the case for true Christians.
Christians educating their children on the gospel don't have a political agenda in mind. Rather, they want to share the truth of the gospel with their children in the hope that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
There is nothing wrong with sharing the gospel with children because Jesus Himself said to let the little children come to Him (Matthew 19:14). The Lord says the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.
Children are full of love and innocence, which is the same way we are to be as we accept Christ. There is nothing negative about sharing the gospel with children, as it is actually a good thing.
While there may be many people who try to indoctrinate their kids, most Christians do not do this. Not to mention that if a Christian shares the gospel with their child, it is not a threat. Rather, it is simply a Christian sharing the Good News about our Lord.
Secular individuals try to attack Christians any chance they get, and it is good for us to be aware of these arguments in order for us not to feel crestfallen. Since Christianity is the truth, it will be attacked more severely, and it will face ridicule.
As Christians, we are to continue in our race and continue to share the gospel with all people, including children. After all, the Lord tells us to share the gospel with all people in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus doesn't say only to share the gospel with adults, but instead, He says to share the gospel with all people.
Sharing the gospel with children is in no way indoctrination. Secular individuals simply want to attack Christianity and talk negatively about it to disgrace the Lord's Name. As Christians, it is our responsibility to be aware of these arguments and be able to speak against them.
For further reading:
How to Share the Gospel with Children
Can Children Truly Understand the Bible?
How Are Children Gifts from God?
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