How to Answer 3 Common Questions Kids May Ask about Politics

It never failed. My kids seemed to know the perfect time to catch me off guard by asking me tough questions. During elementary school, they’d lob unexpected “deep thinker” ones ranging from salvation to death to procreation. And, of course, these questions always occurred in the carpool line, where I had exactly 3 minutes to answer. (And, when I also needed exactly three more cups of coffee to think of the best way to respond.) And, guys, the questions continue to grow more complex and nuanced during the high school and college years.

As parents, we want to answer our kids’ inquiries honestly and through the lens of our faith in Jesus. However, sometimes, the randomness and timing of their questions can catch us off guard, and we struggle to answer them. That’s why we put together three common questions your child might ask you during this election season. Use these to help guide the conversation and point your child to biblical truth. Before answering, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to say to glorify God and raise your child to be more and more like Jesus.

1. Should I be worried about the election? Are you worried about the election? Why are people so concerned about the election?

Even very young children can pick up on the stress and anxiety a parent or caregiver carries. They walk in on a conversation, hear a comment in the car, or sit at the dinner table when a political topic comes up. But worry can also be stirred up in school or church when hanging out with friends or peers. If your child is old enough to be on social media, then the anxiousness about an election can ramp up as kids encounter advertisements, influencers’ opinions, or posts from various news sources.

How to answer questions around worry:
God tells us over and over again not to worry about anything. He knows everything, sees everything, and is in control of everything. So, we don’t need to worry because we can trust Him to work everything out for good.

But that doesn’t mean worry won’t creep into our minds, and God knows that, too. Whenever I start to worry about something, I remember 1 Peter 5:7. In that verse, we are taught to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” That word cast isn’t like a cast you get if you break a bone. It’s talking about what fishermen do with a big net. They cast or throw their net into the water to catch fish.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.” So, when I start to feel worried about the election–or anything at all, I throw all that worry to God, and I catch His peace. He will do the same for you, too.

2. Is it important to pray for leaders? Should we pray for leaders and elected officials even if we don’t “like” or agree with them?

God puts people in authority in our lives. To your child, this could be a teacher, small group leader, principal, babysitter, and (of course) you and your spouse. Teaching children to pray for leaders starts early, and your child will learn by watching you. During bedtime prayers, a young child might naturally pray for a favorite teacher or a coach who doles out high fives after a good play. However, eventually, we all encounter someone in authority with whom we don’t agree or who makes a decision that hurts us somehow. To a kid, this can look like getting a conduct mark for talking or not being picked to play the last quarter of the game.

Help your child find the words to pray for all leaders at all times, even in moments or seasons when the person in authority is not someone they would pick. Model this at the dinner table by praying for elected officials and all those running for office. And, when your child asks why you’re praying for a candidate or person you disagree with, here’s how to respond.

How to answer why we pray for leaders:
God wants us to pray for everyone. First Timothy 2:1-4 specifically tells us to pray for “kings and all those in authority.” It pleases God when we do. While we don’t have kings in our country, we do have presidents, senators, mayors, and other elected officials. Those “in authority” can also mean your teachers, school principal, and bus driver. God wants us to pray for everyone.

Praying for someone doesn’t mean we agree with everything they say or do. However, we can pray for them to know God and grow to become more and more like Jesus.

3. Does it make someone a “good Christian” (or a “bad Christian”) if they vote a certain way?

This question brings up a complex and sensitive topic that people have a wide range of views on. There isn’t a single “Christian” position on how to vote. Followers of Jesus come to different conclusions based on their experiences, how they interpret scripture, and how they apply their understanding of biblical values and ethics to political issues.

Even though our culture tries to divide us, we are united in Christ. But, this attempt to place God’s children into simple buckets labeled “good” or “bad” could cause your child to think a believer’s “goodness” is determined in a voting booth. In reality, we all fall short, and it’s only through the grace of God and the blood of Christ that we’ve been made new and are at peace with God. None of us are worthy on our own.

How to answer:
Being a “good” Christian isn’t defined in the voting booth. It’s more about loving Jesus and letting Him help you become more like Him. Jesus tells His disciples in John 13:34-35: “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”

As you learn more about God and how to love others like He loves us, you also get to enjoy spending time with Him, kind of like hanging out with your best friend. The Holy Spirit wants to transform you from the inside out. It’s why I spend time reading the Bible to understand Him better. I also talk to Him through prayer, and you know how much I love listening to worship music. Those are ways to make Him a more significant part of your life and learn to love like He does. God wants us to turn to Him for guidance in all areas of our life. He wants our hearts to be after Him.