Teaching Kids Christian Apolegetics

There are many religions in the world, and each one was started by a person. Christianity is different. It was started by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

So how do we know which religion is true?

The founders of other religions have all died and remain in the grave. But Jesus Christ died and rose again. He is alive today.

One of the core beliefs of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. The Bible says in Romans 10:9 that believing Jesus rose from the dead is essential for salvation. That raises an important question:

How do we know the resurrection really happened?

History—both secular and biblical—tells us that Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago. He ministered for three years, was arrested, and was crucified by the Romans. These are widely accepted facts.

Christians believe something more: not only did Jesus die, but He rose from the dead. And if Jesus truly rose, it proves He is the Son of God.

Common Arguments Against the Resurrection

1. The “Fainting Argument.”
Some claim Jesus didn’t really die—He just fainted.

According to this idea, Jesus revived in the tomb, escaped, and convinced His disciples He had
risen.

But this doesn’t hold up. After being beaten and hanging on a cross for hours, how could Jesus:

• Free Himself from burial wrappings
• Roll away a massive stone
• Overpower trained Roman guards

This explanation simply doesn’t make sense.

2. The “Stolen Body Argument”
Others say someone stole Jesus’ body, and the disciples believed He had risen because the tomb was empty.

But if the Romans or religious leaders had taken the body, they could have easily stopped Christianity by producing it.

When the disciples began preaching that Jesus was alive, the authorities felt threatened. If they had the body, they would have shown it publicly—and Christianity would have ended immediately.

They didn’t produce the body because they didn’t have it.

3. The “Disciples Stole the Body” Argument

Another claim is that the disciples stole Jesus’ body and made up the resurrection.

But this also falls apart:

• How would a group of fishermen overpower Roman guards?
• Why would they willingly suffer and die for something they knew was a lie?

Most of the disciples were killed for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead. People may die for something they believe is true—but not for something they know is false.

Object Lesson: The Empty Grave

Scripture: Matthew 28:6 — “He is not here; for He is risen.”
What You Need:

• 3 gravestones (Buddha, Muhammad, Joseph Smith)
• Foam core or Styrofoam

Teaching:
(Hold up a gravestone.)

What is this? Right—a gravestone. Gravestones mark where someone is buried. They usually include a name and the years they lived.

There are many religions in the world, and each one has a founder. Sometimes, to know the truth, you have to examine the evidence.

• Buddhism — Siddhartha Gautama
• Islam — Muhammad
• Mormonism — Joseph Smith

All of these leaders lived—and died.

(Hold up the gravestones.)

They are still in the grave.

But Jesus is different.

Jesus was crucified. Nails were driven into His hands and feet. A spear pierced His side. He was wrapped in cloth and placed in a sealed tomb with guards watching.

He did not faint.
He did not escape on His own.
His body was not stolen.

The government didn’t take His body—because they could have stopped Christianity by showing it.

The disciples didn’t take His body—because they gave their lives for the message that He rose again.

The truth is simple:
The tomb is empty.

Jesus is not dead. He is alive.

This object lesson comes from Super Church 2.0: The Core—a curriculum built to teach kids the foundational truths of the Christian faith. If you want to equip children with strong, confident beliefs through Christian apologetics, this is the perfect solution.