This is the most exciting opportunity EVER! When we lead children during the weekends, our hope and prayer for each of them is that someday, they would fully grasp the incredible love Jesus has for them! We celebrate when they decide they want to take that next step of asking God to be the Lord of their life!
We Aren’t Alone…We Have Help!
We all desperately want children to know the deep love of Christ, but the weight of adequately communicating the Gospel may feel daunting. The good news is, we have help!
We are called to teach the Gospel and to live it, but we should not force it. Accepting Christ into their hearts is a decision each child needs to make when s/he is ready; a commitment that is between them and God.
As we share the joy of salvation, we should do so seeking the wisdom of the Father! We entrust these children to him and remember that their salvation is not by our doing but by the precious death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit will equip us to teach kids about salvation as he readies their hearts.
Involving the Parents/Caregiver
This sacred moment, if at all possible, should be led by the child’s parents. We firmly believe that the parents are to be the spiritual leaders of their homes, and we would never want to take away such a precious moment from their family!
If you know about the child’s home life and are confident that the parents will want to be involved, make sure to talk to the child about how exciting this is and how we want to make sure their family is a part of their decision!
If you are unsure about their home life, talk to the service lead or pastor about any insight s/he may have. At this point, you both can decide the best next steps on a case by case basis.
When the parents arrive for pick up, make sure you have an intentional conversation with the family about your conversation with the child. Ask them if they have any questions and make sure to let the service lead or pastor know about the situation so we can follow up with the family and provide resources and encouragement!
When a child expresses interest during service
When a child tells you during service that s/he wants to ask Jesus into their heart be EXCITED with them!
Reinforce what an amazing decision it is, and ask them some of the following questions to ensure the child understands the decision s/he is making:
- Who is Jesus to you?
- Why did Jesus die on the cross?
- What changes when we ask him into our hearts?
- Do you have any questions about salvation?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What are some things we can start doing to strengthen our relationship with Jesus?
Remember to communicate the good news with the child’s family at pick up!
Resources
Below are a few resources that provide age-appropriate wording when talking to children about salvation. While part of your testimony might fit in to the conversation, make sure to keep the focus all about the child and their journey with Jesus!
- God Rules: The Bible tells us that God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything! Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17
- We Sinned: We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. That’s bad news. Romans 3:23, 6:23
- God Provided: But wait. There’s also good news! God sent His Son Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. That’s something that we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
- Jesus Gives: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family now, and for all eternity. That’s the best gift ever! Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9
- We Respond: How can you respond to this gift? Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He has already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10, 13
