I recently read a post from a pastor who brought attention to a problem in the church where in Christian parents are teaching their kids morality over holiness. He brought up some good points such as when we tell our kids just to stay away from sin rather than to change from the inside, we are not calling them to repentance but to self-righteousness.

I have had this post on my heart for a while and when I read that post, I came back to my outline and decided it was time to share some things God had been laying on my heart about teaching our children about sin.

All of these truths are straight from the Bible. It is super important that when we teaching our kids about sin that we give them the authority of what God’s word says and that we remind them that they are ultimately accountable to God for their sin.

Defining Sin

The Bible defines sin in 1 John 3:4 NIV: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

Sin is when we disobey God. Anything God said “do not” in the Bible and we do it anyway is sin. Anything God said to “do” in the Bible and we choose not to do it is also sin.

Example 1: God tell us in Colossians 3:9,” Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” (NIV) If we speak any word that is not truth, that is sin.

Example 2: Colossians 3:13 tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (NIV) So, if we refuse to forgive, that is a sin.

Help our children see that God is the Perfect God, King, and Judge. He has given a law and because none of us can keep it, we are all sinners.

We are All Born Sinners

Sin is not something we have to go out looking to fall into. We are all born sinners. The Bible puts it this way:

• Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 NIV

• Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. Romans 5:12 NIV

• All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV

• If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 NIV

As soon as Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and did the one thing that God said they could not, sin came into our world and all people are who are born are born into sin. We are all imperfect parents pointing our children back to a perfect God.

I would recommend a discussion on sin to always start with Genesis 3. Point out that sin makes us ashamed, guilty, and separates us from God.

Sin Comes from the Heart

Sin is not an external thing that overtakes us. Too often we blame Satan and the world. While those are sources of evil and temptation, the Bible is clear that since we were born into sin, we all have the tendency in our hearts toward sin. Jeremiah 17:9 NIV says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

We must be clear that we are responsible and accountable to God for our disobedience. James 1:13-15 NIV says, “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

It’s good to warn our kids of evil and temptations. However, if we just say “do” and “do not” without explaining the sin in their hearts, we have done them a great disservice. They have to be convicted of their sin in order to have their own personal relationship with Christ.

Jesus said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles them.  For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23 NIV)

Jesus is the Only Hope for Sinners

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

The good news to this sin problem is Jesus! God couldn’t not overlook the sin so He made a way for us to be reconciled, made right, with Him. Jesus took on our sin and died in our place.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Explaining Salvation:

My favorite method of explaining salvation to a child is the Roman’s Road. However, there are many tools that you can use. Just be sure to hit the major points: We sinned, God gave us Jesus, Jesus died and conquered death, we admit our sins, Jesus forgives, and we are new!

Scriptures that Teach Our Children About Sin

There have already been many scriptures mentioned that are important to make sure we teach our kids about sin. Remind them that knowing God’s word helps us to fight sin. Psalm 119:11 NIV says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Here are more to consider including:

• Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5 NIV

• Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:4 NIV

• If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? Psalm 130:3 NIV

• You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18 NIV

• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:2NIV

• If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17 NIV

Praying for Our Kids to Recognize Their Sin

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2 NIV

Prayer Prompts:

• Lord, help me to teach my children the full counsel of your truth by not shying away from the ugly truths of sin.

• God, I ask that you will help my child see that sin separates us from you, but that through Jesus, they can be reconciled.

• Heavenly Father, please bring __________ to conviction over their sin and into a saving relationship with you.

• Jesus, please sustain ___________ as he/she knows you, but keep them turning from evil and seek your holiness.

More Resources on Teaching Our Children Biblical Truths

• Teaching Our Children a Biblical Worldview
• Teaching Kids About the Bible
• Teaching Our Children the Importance of Obedience
• How the Gospel Changes Our Identity
• Teaching Your Children to Serve
• Teaching Our Children (& Ourselves) Positive Thinking
• Teaching Our Children to Seek Wise Counsel