Talking to your children about politics can feel overwhelming. While it may be easier to avoid the topic all together, children are becoming more and more aware of political issues from friends, teachers, social media, and other sources. Although it is healthy to wonder how much our kids should know about politics, the reality is, our children are watching, listening, and absorbing politically infused information. The question then must shift from whether or not parents should talk to their children about politics and, instead, should be how parents can effectively talk to their children about politics in a way that helps them filter this information through the lens of Scripture.
Con las Palabra de Dios como guía, los padres pueden ayudar a sus hijos a comprender el gobierno, la autoridad y la ciudadanía desde una perspectiva bíblica. A la hora de abordar estas conversaciones con sus hijos, los padres deben considerar las siguientes verdades de las Escrituras con espíritu de oración.
Toda autoridad viene de dios, pero nadie es perfecto
Romans 13:1 reminds us that all authority comes from God. It says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
This means that government leaders, whether we agree with them or not, are put in their positions by God. But that doesn’t mean that they are perfect—we all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Even leaders in the Bible, such as King Saul, made choices that grieved God’s heart. Yet the fact remains, they were put in authority by God’s perfect plan.
Al enseñarles esta verdad, se les ayuda a evitar dos extremos: idolatrar o despreciar por completo a un líder. Todos los líderes merecen respeto por su posición, pero todos tienen defectos. Al presentar esta visión equilibrada a los niños, los ayudamos a mantenerse arraigados en la realidad de que solo Cristo es perfecto y que la humanidad está sujeta a su naturaleza pecaminosa.
El gobierno terrenal es temporal
Filipenses 3: 20 nos recuerda que «nosotros somos ciudadanos del cielo» (NTV). “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
God established government on earth from the earliest days, appointing judges and kings to rule over the earth. But kingdoms and empires rise and fall—it is God’s kingdom alone that will last forever.
Nuestros gobiernos terrenales brindan orden y protección, pero no son eternos. Estos gobiernos harán cosas bien y también cometerán errores. Sin embargo, nuestra última esperanza está en Dios y en la eternidad que pasaremos con Él en el cielo.
Honoring earthly governments and honoring God’s Kingdom
When Jesus was asked whether people should follow God’s law or the law of the earthly leaders, He answered, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
In other words, Christians have a responsibility to obey earthly authority and laws, such as paying taxes, following rules, and respecting decisions (as long as they do not violate God’s word). But we must also remember that our ultimate loyalty is to God.
When parents teach this perspective to children, they can help them begin to understand that being a good citizen doesn’t mean they have to compromise their faith. It means living obediently and responsibly within our earthly laws while also remembering that we have God’s laws to follow as well.
Desacuerdos respetuosos
Acts 5:29 says, “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
There may be times that laws come about that are in direct violation of God’s word. When this happens, parents have a great opportunity to teach children that Scripture is a Christian’s highest authority. When leaders make decisions that conflict with Scripture, Christians should follow God’s word first.
But even when we disagree, parents must teach children to disagree respectfully, in a way that continues to honor God. The best way to do this is by modeling what a godly example of disagreement looks like—children can learn how to treat others with dignity and respect, even when they disagree, by watching how their parents respond to conflict.
Orar por quienes tienen autoridad sobre nosotros
One of the simplest yet most powerful lessons a parent can teach their child is to pray for their leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions and prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness.”
Orar por aquellos que tienen autoridad sobre nosotros, ya sea que hayamos votado por ellos o no, nos ayuda a recordar que Dios tiene el control. Cuando los niños hagan preguntas o participen en discusiones sobre temas de actualidad, dedica un tiempo para orar juntos como familia por la situación y por las personas que tienen autoridad.
Consejos prácticos
When talking to children about politics, remember to keep the conversation age appropriate, saving deeper engagement for children in their pre-teen or teenage years, model good citizenship by engaging in voting, serving the community, and studying history, and be proactive in talking to kids—when scenarios arise, make sure that children are hearing the information from their parents first, from a biblical perspective instead of through a secular lens.
Politics doesn’t have to be a topic of fear or division. By keeping conversations rooted in Scripture, children will understand that all authority comes from God, that our ultimate hope is in Christ, and that an appropriate first response is always prayer.