Archive for: children
Each generation of people has a two-fold responsibility. One is to reach its own generation. The second is to prepare the next generation to reach their peers. In so doing, not only does each person leave a legacy behind them, but their lives count for something eternal.
What happens if we don’t? Studies show that as few as 4% of children born after 1984 are trusting Christ as their Savior. We risk an entire generation missing out on the goodness of God’s grace.
That is one reason we are committed to reaching children. If we reach them for Christ, they in turn will reach their children. But in reaching and training the next generation, a clear gospel must be at the center of that training.
Let’s equip the next generation. Years after we enter His presence, the impact of our lives will continue on earth. That impact will surround one thing – the clear message of the gospel of grace.
R. Larry Moyer
How many adults grow up doubting their salvation because of an unclear gospel presentation as a child? Only the Lord knows for sure, but if you spend any time walking closely alongside other Christians you will run into many who say “I know I had some kind of spiritual experience when I was a child, but I’m not quite sure what happened.”
Doubt about salvation can stunt spiritual growth and often prevents a person from getting involved in evangelism. After all, how can you lead a person to Christ when you are unsure of your own eternity?
That’s why it is critical that we make the gospel clear when leading children to Christ. We do not need to demand or coerce, – but should simply explain the gospel in a way that a child knows exactly what he must do to have eternal life with God.
When sharing the gospel with children remember to:
Pray: The Holy Spirit will guide you in a one-on-one conversation with the child.
Make the gospel clear: Explain that Christ took the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross and on the third day He rose from the dead. Then explain that we can only be saved by trusting in Christ alone.
Ask the child questions to discern his understanding: “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” “Why do we need a savior?”
Assure a new believer of his eternal security using Scripture: John 5:24 says that whoever hears and believes has eternal life!
Let’s leave a legacy. Let’s make an impact on future generations by sharing the gospel with children clearly and simply.
Several years ago a mission’s team organized a weeklong backyard Bible club for kids. At the end of the week, the kids were gathered together to hear the final version of John 3:16. The group presentation was evangelistic and included all the essential elements of the gospel. At the end of the lesson the teacher asked the children, “If you would like to trust Christ right now, just raise your hand.” Some of the children raised their hand immediately while others did after looking around. In the end, every child in attendance raised their hand in response to the invitation.
How many of those decisions were genuine? How could we possibly know?
Here are some key things to keep in mind whenever sharing the gospel message in a group setting:
Keep the presentation simple, clear and biblically accurate to avoid confusion.
Never let a physical action (raising a hand, standing up, praying a prayer, walking an aisle) be confused as part of salvation for the child. Coming forward to talk to an adult is appropriate but make it clear to the child that it is a way to find out more – it is not how he is saved.
Do not lead the children in a group prayer of salvation. This may lead some to believe that the prayer has the power to save.
Give the children specific directions on who can help them if they want to learn more. Also, tell them specifically when they can talk to that person and where to find him/her.
If you are a designated counselor to receive kids who respond to a presentation, remember to first establish why a child is coming to talk to you. Your first question is: “Why did you come to talk to me?”
Present the gospel to children on a regular basis. Do it often – individually and in groups. Remember: group presentations should always be followed up with one-on-one interactions with children who respond.
Many children question their salvation because they doubt the validity of an “experience” they had when they were younger. It may have been walking down an aisle, talking to a counselor, or some other action. As the child grows, he looks back and begins to wonder if he understood what he was doing or whether he was sincere.
When he goes to his parents for help, they may compound the problem by reminding him of what he did and even assuring him that he was sincere. The problem is that what seems clear in their minds is still not clear in his. Children should not base their assurance on their parents’ memory.
To help children, parents would be wise to guide their child in finding biblical answers to two questions. The first is, “Do you now understand the gospel?” Discuss with the child whether he now understands that Christ took the punishment for his sins, died on the cross, and arose from the grave.
The second question is, “Right now, are you depending on Christ alone to get you into heaven?” Jesus says, “He that believes in me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). God is not concerned about the date that happened. If anyone is depending on Christ as his only way to heaven, he is a child of God regardless of the date that eternal transaction took place. A child’s trust should be in Christ alone, not in a date or action from their past.
Think about it! There is not one paragraph in the Bible on how to evangelize children! One reason may be that the message is so simple anyone can understand it; therefore, it should be presented just as simply and clearly to children. The age of the unbeliever does not change the message or its simplicity. All it means is that we take the simple message and express it in ways their age allows them to understand.
It is interesting, though, that Christ did encourage us to reach children. Christ even rebuked His own disciples when they turned children away. Luke 18:15-17 tells us, “Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’”
Two things stand out in that passage. The first is if children could not come to Christ, He would not have invited them. Jesus Christ was always a person who said what He meant and meant what He said. The fact is the gospel message is so simple even a child can understand it.
Secondly, children coming to Christ illustrate the way all of us must come. Note Christ’s words: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child.” A child does not come to Christ bragging about his good life, church attendance, or religious efforts. You never hear a child say:
“I have done a lot of things right in my time.”
“I am not half as bad as a lot of people I know.”
“I have not missed an Easter Sunday in nine years.”
Recognizing they are sinners, children are simply and humbly willing to trust Christ alone to save them. So on behalf of Christ, encourage children to come. As they do, watch them closely. They illustrate the way all of us must come.
Ask any Christian parent if they want their children to be concerned about lost people, and most will answer, “Yes!” To encourage our children to grow in this area, what can we do as parents to influence them? How do we model evangelism to our children?
As a family, ask “How often do we pray for the salvation of a particular lost person?” Few things impact a child more than when the consistent prayers on behalf of others are answered. If you want your children to talk to the lost about God, as a family you need to talk to God about the lost; an unbelieving neighbor, a relative or even one of their own non-Christian classmates. As God answers those prayers, the impact is beyond measure.
We can also invite those we are praying for into our homes; share a meal together, or perhaps an evening around the table playing games. By having non-Christian’s in frequently, and you announce you are having guests, you are providing an opportunity for our kids to ask an important question, “Are they a believer or a non-believer?” By having non-Christians into our homes, we are increasing the likelihood they are going to be on our children’s hearts.
You can also do business with non-Christians. Select a hairdresser who is lost, a mechanic who doesn’t know the Lord or a plumber who needs Christ. Let your children know why – so there might be opportunity for the gospel. Let them see you be a “friend of sinners”.
Look at your family devotions and choose an evangelism topic. One family Bible study topic could be, “How does God feel about lost people?” Memorize verses together such as Matthew 4:19, “Then he said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men’.”
Another way to train in evangelism is to role play. Think about questions non-Christians might have and teach your children how they can respond. Most importantly teach them a method of sharing the gospel, something easy for them to recall. Remember, they are just like you – scared.
Now let them watch you in action as you witness to a lost neighbor, hand a tract to a department store employee, choose a non-Christian mechanic with the view of leading them to Christ, or turn the conversation to spiritual things as you visit with the home repairman. If the conversation about the lost does not result in conversation with the lost, few things will happen.
Implement these ideas and watch what occurs. You will know you have impacted your child forever whenever she runs into the house one day and says, “Mom, guess what I saw dad do at the store? He spoke to this man about Christ and he was really interested in what dad was telling him about Jesus. They are going to have coffee tomorrow.”
