How to talk with your kids about the assassination of Charlie Kirk
Many of you have likely already heard about what happened yesterday with Charlie Kirk. Whether you agreed with his views or not, there’s no question that he connected with Gen Z (and even younger) and carried a large presence on social media. As I’ve been processing my own emotion about what took place, my thoughts turned to my kids: How do I talk to them about this? What do they know already? What have they heard from friends or online? Chances are your kids are hearing about it from many sources, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some classrooms take time today to discuss it. I want to offer a few thoughts to help you navigate these conversations at home.
01) Don’t feel sorry or fearful for your kids because of the world they are growing up in. (Matthew 5:13-16, John 16:33)
It’s easy to look at the world our kids are growing up in and feel overwhelmed. But let me encourage you to reframe your perspective: God chose you to be the parent of your children now. God has created them and called you for this exact time and point in history. That is no coincidence or accident. Don’t let fear, yours or theirs, steal the greatness that God has placed in them. God is entrusting you to raise your kids to know the power they walk in as Children of God. Teach them to stand on His word, to trust His plan and purpose for their life, and to walk with confidence that the Holy Spirit is empowering them to be salt and light to the world around them and bring the peace and presence of God wherever they go.
02) Acknowledge evil, but don’t dwell on it. (Psalm 37:1-9)
When violence against innocent people happens in any form, it is evil and it breaks God’s heart. But evil does not get the last word. As parents, we can show our kids how to respond: choose not to replay the details or search out videos online, acknowledge what happened, call it what it is, and then point them to the hope and healing Jesus brings. Ask them what they’ve seen or heard, listen carefully, and then offer wisdom with grace.
03) Guard your heart and mind. (Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:6-8)
Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows form it.”
In the digital age, guarding what comes into our hearts and minds is more difficult than ever. Encourage your kids to be careful about what they watch and share online, and model that same wisdom yourself. Within that conversation, when fear, worry, or anxiety rise up, remind them those moments are invitations to pray and to focus their thoughts on what is true and good.
04) Pray for and with your kids. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 John 5:14-15)
Let your kids see you pray and hear your prayers. It will deeply shape their faith.
When you encounter news of evil or injustice, pray together. Pray for God’s help and guidance, for those who have been hurt, and even for those who chose to do wrong. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing, so let’s do so for and with our kids.
05) Choose to love God and people. (Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 5:38-48)
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love people. Talk with your kids about what it looks like to love God with your whole being—your words, actions, emotions, and thoughts. Share how loving God flows into loving others, even those who may oppose us or act in ways that hurt us. Loving others can be summed up this way: choosing the highest good for another person. Show your kids how to live that out in small, everyday ways: with friends, classmates, and even towards those who commit evil acts.
Parenting in moments like this isn’t easy. But you don’t have to do it alone. God has given you His Spirit to guide you with wisdom, courage, and grace. Invite your kids to open conversations. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). And when you stumble, and all of us do, be quick to make things right. Your humility will speak volumes to your children about what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Parents, you’re not raising kids to simply survive this world; you’re raising sons and daughters of God who will carry His love, truth, and light into it. We’re in this together! Let’s pray for one another, for the next generation, and let’s be salt and light to the world around us.
Grace and peace,
Brent
01) Don’t feel sorry or fearful for your kids because of the world they are growing up in. (Matthew 5:13-16, John 16:33)
It’s easy to look at the world our kids are growing up in and feel overwhelmed. But let me encourage you to reframe your perspective: God chose you to be the parent of your children now. God has created them and called you for this exact time and point in history. That is no coincidence or accident. Don’t let fear, yours or theirs, steal the greatness that God has placed in them. God is entrusting you to raise your kids to know the power they walk in as Children of God. Teach them to stand on His word, to trust His plan and purpose for their life, and to walk with confidence that the Holy Spirit is empowering them to be salt and light to the world around them and bring the peace and presence of God wherever they go.
02) Acknowledge evil, but don’t dwell on it. (Psalm 37:1-9)
When violence against innocent people happens in any form, it is evil and it breaks God’s heart. But evil does not get the last word. As parents, we can show our kids how to respond: choose not to replay the details or search out videos online, acknowledge what happened, call it what it is, and then point them to the hope and healing Jesus brings. Ask them what they’ve seen or heard, listen carefully, and then offer wisdom with grace.
03) Guard your heart and mind. (Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:6-8)
Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows form it.”
In the digital age, guarding what comes into our hearts and minds is more difficult than ever. Encourage your kids to be careful about what they watch and share online, and model that same wisdom yourself. Within that conversation, when fear, worry, or anxiety rise up, remind them those moments are invitations to pray and to focus their thoughts on what is true and good.
04) Pray for and with your kids. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 John 5:14-15)
Let your kids see you pray and hear your prayers. It will deeply shape their faith.
When you encounter news of evil or injustice, pray together. Pray for God’s help and guidance, for those who have been hurt, and even for those who chose to do wrong. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing, so let’s do so for and with our kids.
05) Choose to love God and people. (Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 5:38-48)
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love people. Talk with your kids about what it looks like to love God with your whole being—your words, actions, emotions, and thoughts. Share how loving God flows into loving others, even those who may oppose us or act in ways that hurt us. Loving others can be summed up this way: choosing the highest good for another person. Show your kids how to live that out in small, everyday ways: with friends, classmates, and even towards those who commit evil acts.
Parenting in moments like this isn’t easy. But you don’t have to do it alone. God has given you His Spirit to guide you with wisdom, courage, and grace. Invite your kids to open conversations. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). And when you stumble, and all of us do, be quick to make things right. Your humility will speak volumes to your children about what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Parents, you’re not raising kids to simply survive this world; you’re raising sons and daughters of God who will carry His love, truth, and light into it. We’re in this together! Let’s pray for one another, for the next generation, and let’s be salt and light to the world around us.
Grace and peace,
Brent
