“I’m very thankful for the class because my kids were beginning to be at an age where they are asking tough questions and the lessons at GAP were incredibly helpful to my understanding of how to approach them.”
- GAP Chapter Participant
Thinking about hosting a GAP chapter online?
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to Grassroots Apologetics for Parents (GAP)! We are a Bible-centered ministry that works to launch and host chapters that equip parents with a deeper understanding of the Christian worldview and apologetics (how to make a case for and defend the truth of Christianity). Our passion is to help close the “GAP” that exists for parents between knowing the world will challenge their kids’ faith and knowing what to do about it.
Here you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions about GAP.
Who can host an online chapter?
Just like our in-person chapters, each online chapter is facilitated by a Parent Ambasssdor. A Parent Ambassador is someone who is passionate about developing GAP and equipping parents with an understanding of worldview and apologetics in order to disciple their children.
Each online chapter must have an identified platform and some online hosting experience. Just complete the Parent Ambassador interest form at the bottom of the page and our Director of Online Chapters will help you determine whether this option is a good fit.
What does an online GAP chapter look like?
An online chapter is similar to our in-person chapters, just with a different platform. As a Parent Ambassador for an online chapter, your role is to consistently host meetings and facilitate the content discussion.
How long is the online chapter commitment?
Similar to our in-person chapters, GAP has a long term vision for chapters. We want to develop groups that grow in fellowship and learning over years! That said, we're not asking you to sign up for a 10-year commitment to a new program. We're reasonable people. We ask that if you sign up to host, you commit to just one year. We're confident you'll see the value and want to continue after that.
So what do people do at GAP meetings?
The goal of a GAP chapter is to complete two 10- or 12-week apologetics/worldview studies each year--one in the fall and one in the winter/spring. The actual dates are up to the Parent Ambassador and are therefore flexible around your schedule. Parent Ambassadors are responsible for leading these weekly discussions and are provided with the materials they need
While GAP is developed around studies, it's important to understand that it's not designed to just be a study. We pray that GAP groups form long term connections between members who will support one another in raising kids with confident faith. It's both fellowship and learning.
What is the GAP curriculum?
GAP does not have its own curriculum, but rather uses relevant resources already available.
All GAP chapters use the book Keeping Your Kids on God's Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith as the first study and Talking with Your Kids about God: 30 Conversations Every Parent Must Have as the second study. Both of these books are written by Natasha Crain.
Keeping Your Kids on God's Side introduces parents to 40 of the most important faith challenges facing Christian kids today. Conversations cover the subject areas of God, truth and worldviews, Jesus, the Bible, and Science. Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side was selected as a 2017 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Award Finalist.
Talking with Your Kids about God is the natural next reading step for parents after Keeping Your Kids on God's Side. It dives deeper into 30 conversations specifically about God.
After chapters have completed this first year of foundational study, GAP provides several recommendations for what to study next. Chapters decide which subjects they would like to focus on. You might think of GAP as having two "general education" requirements (the first two studies) and then many electives for continued learning.
Why these two books specifically?
While there are many wonderful apologetics books available (many of which we recommend for the "electives" after the first year!), these two books are the only apologetics books written specifically for parents. As such, they are written in a tone and style that appeal to parents who wouldn't normally pick up an apologetics book.
Crain is a respected voice in the area of apologetics for parents and her books have been endorsed by Sean McDowell, Frank Turek, Nancy Pearcey, J. Warner Wallace, Jeff Myers, Craig Hazen, Andy Bannister, Melissa Cain Travis, and Brett Kunkle. Her writing has been featured in Focus on the Family Magazine and the Christian Research Journal, and she speaks nationally at churches and conferences.
OK, I'm in. How do I sign up to be a Parent Ambassador?
You can learn about being a Parent Ambassador here and fill out an interest form.
Thank you for your interest in GAP!