Last night, I sat down with my wife and our three boys (ages 5–12) to talk about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It’s a subject they’ve already been hearing about from friends, and their questions over the past week showed me they were wrestling with it in their own ways. Even our youngest, though only five, understands the heartbreak that someone’s dad was killed.
I didn’t want to miss the chance to let them voice their sadness, fear, and even anger. But more importantly, I wanted to point them back to God’s Word—reminding them how Scripture shapes the way we pray, respond, and think, no matter what each day brings.
What follows is the guide I prepared to help lead that conversation. I didn’t ask every question, but I used it as a framework for our discussion. I pray it encourages you as well. (Though I wrote it for my three boys, the principles apply far beyond them.)
Evil is real. Jesus is our only hope. As we engage with the culture around us, we must do so with wisdom.
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Conversation Guide with My Sons
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1. Processing Grief and Evil
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21
- How should we respond when evil seems to win in the world?
- How can we pray specifically for Charlie’s wife and children?
“Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!” Psalm 7:6
- What emotions rise up in you (anger, sadness, confusion)? How can we bring those things before God, as David did in the Psalms?
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2. Strength and Courage in the Face of Darkness
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
- What does it mean to “act like men” in a culture of chaos?
- How can young men show courage spiritually and morally in their schools, churches, and communities?
- Do you think standing strong in faith is also a way of standing strong for our nation?
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3. Legacy and Example
- Charlie used his final moments to share Scripture. What does that show us about using our time and influence well?
- If your last words were remembered, what would you want them to be?
- Who in Scripture left a legacy of boldness for truth at significant cost? (Stephen in Acts 7, Paul in 2 Timothy 4, Jesus before Pilate).
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4. Faith and Patriotism
- What does it mean that our rights are “endowed by our Creator”?
- How does strong faith in Christ help us be better citizens?
- How can we love our country, while remembering our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)?
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5. Taking Responsibility as Young Men
- How can you prepare now—through faith, discipline, and integrity—to be the kind of man who leads with courage?
- What temptations make it hard to be strong, godly leaders? How can we fight those together?
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
- How can this verse shape the way we live boldly for God today?
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6. Moving Forward Together
- What can we do as a family to keep growing strong in our faith and values when the world feels unstable?
- How can we honor Charlie’s legacy—not by idolizing him, but by imitating his boldness for truth?
- What does it mean for us, as men, to “stand watch” over both our family and our nation in prayer and action?
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Closing Idea:
Pray together for courage, wisdom, and unity as a family, and for strength to live boldly for Christ and our nation.