Conversations on the Function of Government (For Kids)
This text (introductions, the 12 letters, and analysis) contains 1770 words and would take 7 minutes to read from start to finish. The reading level is 6th grade and children is its target audience. Click here to read the adult version.
Introduction to Conversations About Government
This is a story about two friends, Zachary and James. They write letters to each other about big ideas like fairness, faith, and what it means to be a good leader. At first, they talk about standing up to unfair rulers. But their conversations grow into something much bigger. They explore what God wants for people and how we can live in ways that help everyone thrive.
One key idea in their letters is the "Philosopher King." This is a leader who is wise, kind, and follows God's ways. Zachary tells James that we shouldn’t just look for good leaders—we should try to be good leaders too.
These letters talk about:
- How God is in control of everything.
- Why evil only seems strong but isn’t.
- How to live truthfully and make a difference.
Through their letters, Zachary and James learn how to stand up for what's right, trust in God, and help others. Together, they show us how we can live in love and fairness, even when the world is full of challenges.
Letter 1: Zachary to James
“Standing Up to Unfair Rulers”
Dear James,
I’ve been thinking about what we talked about—whether it’s right to obey unfair rulers. I believe we don’t always have to follow them, especially when they stop doing what’s fair and good.
A government’s job is to protect people and do what’s right. When it stops doing that and starts hurting people, it loses its right to be obeyed. At that point, it’s just a group of bullies pretending to be in charge.
If someone uses fear or violence to make people follow them, they aren’t real leaders. True leaders care about fairness and justice. Even Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you." This means real power comes from living truthfully, not from being in charge.
Standing up to unfair rulers might seem scary, but remember: their power only works if people let it. When good people refuse to follow evil, it falls apart.
Yours,
Zachary
Letter 2: James to Zachary
“What Happens When We Resist?”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for your letter. I understand what you’re saying, but I still have some questions.
What if standing up to unfair rulers hurts innocent people? Unfair rulers often have armies and weapons. If we resist, won’t they punish us or the people we care about?
Also, didn’t Jesus say to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”? Does that mean we should follow the rules, even if they’re unfair?
I want to do what’s right, but I also don’t want to make things worse. What do you think?
Sincerely,
James
Letter 3: Zachary to James
“Evil Isn’t Really Powerful”
Dear James,
I understand your concerns. But here’s something important to remember: evil only seems powerful because it tricks people into following it.
Think about a thief. If someone gives their money to a thief out of fear, they’re giving the thief power. Evil works the same way—it depends on fear and lies to survive.
Unfair rulers stay in power because people are too scared to say no. But when good people stop following them, their power fades. Yes, standing up might be hard, but letting evil grow can cause even more harm.
Jesus also said, "Give to God what is God’s." That means we owe our loyalty to God first. If rulers ask us to do something wrong, we must stand firm.
I know it’s not easy, but standing up for what’s right is the best way to make things better.
Yours,
Zachary
Letter 4: James to Zachary
“Balancing Resistance with Safety”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with much of what you said, but I still worry.
If we resist unfair rulers, innocent people could get hurt. How do we make sure we’re doing what’s right without causing harm?
I also wonder how we can live in a world where rulers often have so much power. Is it possible to resist and still keep ourselves and others safe?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
James
Letter 5: Zachary to James
“Trusting God When Facing Evil”
Dear James,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. I believe the best way to deal with evil is to trust in God and live by the truth.
Evil isn’t strong on its own. It gets its power from fear and lies. But God is stronger than any evil.
Here’s an example: imagine a farmer trying to grow food. If he yells at the plants or beats the ground, nothing will grow. Only by working patiently and following the rules of nature can he succeed.
The same is true for life. If we live truthfully and align ourselves with God’s ways, we can grow and thrive. Evil can’t win against people who trust in God and stand firm.
Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They refused to bow to a king’s idol, even though they were thrown into a fiery furnace. They trusted God, and He saved them.
Standing up to evil isn’t about being reckless—it’s about trusting God and doing what’s right.
Yours,
Zachary
Letter 6: James to Zachary
“Breaking Free from False Teachings”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for your encouragement. Your words have helped me see something clearly: I’ve been following the wrong ideas for a long time.
I used to think that obeying the government was always the right thing to do. But now I see that when rulers stop being fair, we have to stand up for what’s right.
I’ve also realized that God is in control, no matter what happens. Knowing this gives me strength. I’m ready to trust Him and live for what’s true.
Thank you for helping me see the light.
Gratefully,
James
Letter 7: Zachary to James
“Living Like a Philosopher King”
Dear James,
I’m so proud of you, my friend. You’ve made an important decision to trust God and live by His truth. Now, let’s talk about something that can guide you even further—the idea of the Philosopher King.
A Philosopher King is someone who leads with wisdom, fairness, and truth. They don’t use fear or force. Instead, they live in a way that inspires others to do what’s right. This idea comes from Jesus, who showed us how to lead by loving and serving others.
But here’s the amazing part: you don’t have to wait for a Philosopher King to lead you. You can become one! When you live with wisdom and kindness, you show others what it looks like to follow God’s ways.
Remember, God is in control, and He calls us to be examples of His love and justice in the world. I can’t wait to see how you grow in this new understanding.
Yours with joy,
Zachary
Letter 8: James to Zachary
“Becoming a Reflection of God”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for your letter. The idea of the Philosopher King really inspires me. I’ve always thought about good leaders as people in charge, but now I see that being a leader means living in a way that reflects God’s goodness.
I want to live with wisdom, fairness, and truth. I want to help others see God’s love and justice through how I act. Your encouragement means so much to me, and I’m ready to take this next step.
Thank you for helping me see what’s possible.
Gratefully,
James
Letter 9: Zachary to James
“The Beauty of Living in God’s Truth”
Dear James,
It makes me so happy to see how far you’ve come! When we live in God’s truth, amazing things happen.
Imagine a world where everyone follows God’s ways—no more fear, no more unfairness, just peace and joy. Every gift, every talent, and every good thing we share with others makes life more beautiful.
This doesn’t mean life will always be easy. Following God takes effort, but it’s worth it. It’s like climbing a mountain: each step might be hard, but the view from the top is incredible.
Keep trusting God, James. He has great things in store for you.
With excitement,
Zachary
Letter 10: James to Zachary
“The Promise of a New Creation”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for showing me how beautiful life can be when we trust in God. I’ve been thinking about something: what about the people who never get to see this kind of life?
Some people suffer so much or pass away before they get to experience all the good things God promises. But then I remembered what the Bible says about resurrection. God will make everything new again!
For those who believe in Him, even death isn’t the end. God will raise them to life, with new bodies and a new world where everything is perfect. This gives me so much hope.
Thank you for reminding me of God’s promises.
With gratitude,
James
Letter 11: Zachary to James
“Standing Up for What’s Right”
Dear James,
You’re right—God’s promise of a new creation is amazing! But while we’re here on Earth, we have work to do. We need to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Sometimes, people who think they’re doing good might actually be supporting something unfair. Jesus warned us about this. He said some people would hurt others and think they’re helping God.
One big problem today is the way money and power are used unfairly. Many systems take advantage of people, and it’s up to us to stand against those wrongs. That doesn’t mean we fight with anger—it means we live with truth and fairness, showing others a better way.
Remember, standing up for what’s right isn’t easy, but it’s part of living in God’s truth.
Yours with encouragement,
Zachary
Letter 12: James to Zachary
“The Courage to Keep Going”
Dear Zachary,
Thank you for your letter. I understand now that living in God’s truth isn’t just about trusting Him—it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
I know some people will misunderstand or even fight against me, but I also know that God is with me. His truth is stronger than any lie, and His love will guide me.
I’m ready to live with courage, kindness, and fairness. Thank you for helping me see how much this matters.
With determination,
James
Conclusion
Through these letters, Zachary and James learn to trust God, stand up for what’s right, and live in truth. They show us how we can be leaders, too—people who follow God’s ways and help others see His love. Even when the world feels unfair, we can make a difference by living with wisdom, fairness, and courage.
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