How Do I Talk to My Kids About the Presidential Election?
As a child, I spent many Saturday mornings at my grandparents’ breakfast table eating a sausage biscuit and talking politics with my beloved grandfather. A former politician and talented attorney, he could explain complicated issues with eloquence and ease, leaving me with the feeling that we had solved the world’s problems before the day had really begun.
Despite growing up with those chats, studying politics in college, and marrying a fellow political nerd, the older I get I find that I have more and more questions and less and less answers. Exercising discernment about politicians and policies can be complex and confusing, and I don’t have the experience and eloquence of my grandfather. Still, I want to teach my sons to engage politics thoughtfully, with the gospel as their guide.
So as I sit around my grandparents’ table (which is now in my home) and talk with my boys this election season, here are five truths I hope to impart to them about how we can engage in politics with a gospel perspective.
1. We can be thankful and thoughtful voters.
Living in a country with free and open elections is an incredible blessing that can be easy to take for granted. In the midst of a particularly divisive campaign, our electoral system may even feel more like a burden. But as believers, we have an opportunity to participate in our democracy in a way that honors God for this good gift he’s given us. As we talk to our kids about voting this election season, let’s talk about how the gospel can guide our choices, and demonstrate how to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider the candidates in light of scripture. Even though we may not find verses that speak directly about our political context, we can look to general biblical principles about honoring God and others.
Let’s also convey an attitude of thankfulness for God’s provision of our government system, regardless of our thoughts on particular candidates or frustrations with the political process. Even as we talk to our littlest ones who may be too young to grasp the concept of elections, we can still convey an attitude of thankfulness for the privilege of voting. They don’t have to understand what it is to be able to pick up on our gratitude for it. There may be many things we’re uncertain about when it comes to politics, but we can be confident that the Lord calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).
2. We can love our neighbors with our vote.
Although voting is an individual activity, it has a collective impact. The person who is elected will not only impact our own family, but all of our neighbors as well. As believers, scripture calls us to care for the orphan, the widow, the sojourner, the least of these.[1] It calls us to act justly and love mercy.[2] As we talk to our kids about voting, let’s help them see that we have an opportunity to love our neighbors by considering how each candidate will care for the interests of all our neighbors, not just our own interests. But let’s also teach our kids that voting is only one opportunity to love our neighbors, and elected officials aren’t the only ones who serve the community. We can serve with our families and mobilize with our local churches to see needs around us and meet them.
3. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
Our kids have a tendency to mimic our conversations, both what we say and how we say it. As we talk about politics, it’s good and right for them to hear us speak truth even if that means disagreeing with someone. But, as my husband tells our boys, we can disagree without being disagreeable. Even as we present a differing view point or question someone else’s perspective, we can communicate with love and respect.[3]
This applies to how we speak to others and how we speak about others. When we talk about political candidates, no matter how much we may disagree with their policies and actions, we need to remember that they are image-bearers of God. As James reminds us, it “ought not to be so” that with our mouth “we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (3:9–10). Even if we consider a person our enemy, Jesus’ teaching is clear: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). As our kids hear us talking about the election, we have an opportunity to show them that we don’t have to agree with someone to love them.
4. We can rest in God’s ultimate authority.
Years ago when I taught at a Christian high school, I had a group of students come into first period the morning after a presidential election distraught over the results. Even though I was their English teacher, I put aside our literature lesson to discuss the election. I affirmed their desire for a president who represented their beliefs, but gently reminded them that no matter who is in the White House, God is ultimately in charge. Scripture tells us that God turns the hearts of kings and appoints our governing authorities as his servants for our good.[4] Though we may passionately convey to our children that we desire a particular candidate to be elected, we can also communicate to our children that we trust the Lord with the results. We can rest in his sovereign control and ultimate authority over the affairs of our nation, regardless of who is elected.
5. We can hope in Jesus as our true and better King.
Though we can honor the Lord and set a good example for our children by taking our civic responsibilities seriously, it’s good for us to remind ourselves and our children that our ultimate hope is not in a political candidate. Though our president has great power and influence, he is not our salvation. He does not have the power to defeat death or to give eternal life. Jesus is our true and better King. He is our ultimate hope and only he can save us. Though we cast our vote for the candidate we deem most worthy of office, we place our hope in Jesus, the only one who is truly worthy of our hope and trust.
When my grandfather went to be with the Lord a few years ago, there was a special memorial service held for his colleagues in law and politics to share their memories. They told stories about his skill in the courtroom and how he had fought for particular issues. But the resounding theme of every story was simply this: he loved Jesus and he loved people.
As we talk to our kids about the presidential election (or any aspect of government and public policy), of course it’s important that we help them understand the issues in age appropriate ways. But what’s more important, is that we teach them to love Jesus and love people.
[1] Isaiah 1:17
[2] Micah 6:8
[3] Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:15
[4] Proverbs 21:1; Romans 13:2, 4
