FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
Should We Force Christianity on Our Kids?
I’ve got two kids. They love the church. They love Jesus. And I’ll be honest—yes, my wife and I forced them.
I can already hear the objections: “I don’t want to force my kids to go to church. I don’t want to turn them off to Jesus.”
But let’s be real, you force your kids to do a lot of things. You force them to clean their room. You force them to brush their teeth. You force them to go to school. Why? Because you know those things are good for them, even if they don’t always want to do them.
So why would we treat the eternal well-being of their souls with less urgency than their dental hygiene?
Here’s the truth: Jesus is good. His ways are life. His presence is joy. And if that’s true—and it is—then why would I ever leave my kids to “figure it out” on their own?
Some parents think the goal is to train their kids to go to church. No. No. No. The goal is to train them to be the Church—to live as part of Christ’s body, to worship, to serve, to love His people, and to stand firm in a world that’s doing everything it can to pull them away from Him.
Because here’s the reality: outside the Church, there’s a very real, very active spiritual attack against our kids. It’s not paranoia—it’s Scripture. The enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). The only One who can protect and equip them for that battle is the King of Glory. And He’s given us the gift of His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Why would I let my kids walk into a war without armor?
The Bible doesn’t mince words on this. Joshua declared, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, NIV). That wasn’t a suggestion. That was a decision. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (NIV). God has entrusted parents with the responsibility to lead, guide, and disciple their children—not just hope they stumble into faith one day.
So, should you “force” Christianity on your kids?
Yes.
Not in a cold, joyless, rule-obsessed way—but in a loving, consistent, intentional way. Set the example. Read Scripture together. Pray with them. Worship with them. Serve with them. Make your home a place where Jesus is honored and the Gospel is lived out daily.
Because here’s the thing: faith isn’t something we push on our kids like an unwanted chore. It’s something we invite them into—a life with Christ that is better, richer, and more satisfying than anything the world offers.
So don’t “chill” when it comes to your kids’ souls. Step up. Lead them. Bring them to Jesus.
They may just grow up to thank you for it.
