EVANGELISM AND CHILDREN

It has been estimated that about 50% of all Christians received Christ by the time they were 12 years old. This means that we must make the most of our years of contact with children before they reach their teenage years. How do we counsel children for salvation and assurance of salvation?

1. Salvation Counselling
The question is often asked, "When is a child ready to receive Jesus as their saviour?" A simple answer is impossible. The children's worker must always be ready to relate God's offer of salvation to all children as the Holy Spirit directs. We must never decide that children are too young or are unable to understand. While we should be careful of assuming that all children are ready to receive Jesus, the worker must continue to plant the seed and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide the child to conversion, and give wisdom in knowing when to lead the child through a conversion experience.

Children are unable to understand abstract concepts or figurative words. A child will be confused with the phrase, "Ask Jesus into your heart." Rather speak of them asking Jesus to be their special friend who will always be with them. Children also relate well to the concept, "belonging to Jesus," because they have things that belong to them and they know what it means. Make sure that the phrases used are understood by the child. Even a short word like "sin" needs to be explained, or substituted with a phrase like, "doing wrong." Children respond to words or phrases which are taken from every day relationships: God as Father and Jesus as His Son; getting caught for doing wrong; being punished by parents; etc.

A. Things To Avoid When Leading A Child To Jesus

(1) Using Fear as a Motive
While it is true that those who do not receive Jesus as their saviour will spend eternity in Hell (Revelation 20:15), this is not the best motivation for a child to respond. When the child gets over their fears they may become hardened against the gospel.

(2) Giving Group Invitations
When a group invitation is given it is too easy for children to respond, and it will often be for the wrong reason, ie. to get the workers approval, or because everyone else is doing it. If the holy Spirit is dealing with the child they will do what is difficult, ie. stay behind to talk after a meeting or approach workers individually.

(3) Giving Rewards for Response
Some people give children who receive Jesus a Bible or a book. When this is done in front of others, children may make a similar response just to get a prize for themselves.

(4) Steam-Rolling Children
The child must be taken along with the presentation, and not rushed through the 4 steps to salvation. Keep on checking that they understand and are following. Have them restate the message in their own words.

B. Things To Do When Leading A Child To Jesus

(1) Live Out the Message Being Presented
Even the best Bible-centred message conveyed through children-centred methods will be ineffective unless the message of the gospel is lived out by the worker.

(2) Invite Children to do Something Unusual
This could be staying behind, or raising their hands while all the other eyes are closed.

(3) Ensure Children Have Come of Their Own Accord
To find out what the child has in mind ask, "Tim, why did you stay behind? What would you like to talk about?" This type of friendly questioning helps to show the child's level of understanding and why they responded.

(4) Spend Sufficient Time with the Child
Do not worry if the child misses out on some other activity. Do not present the gospel in a rush, as the child will not fully understand the truth.

(5) Use the Bible, but Limit the Verses
Do not quote a stack of verses, as this will confuse the child. Rather us one or two key verses that the child can really understand and remember.

C. Things To Say When Leading A Child To Jesus
There are a variety of approaches to use when leading a child to Jesus. The important truths and verses that need to be understood are:

(1) God loves people very, very much (John 3:16a)

(2) All people have done wrong (Romans 3:23)

(3) God loves people so much - he sent Jesus to die for them (John 3:16b)

(4) There are things they must do: (a) believe/trust (John 1:12); (b) be sorry and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9); (c) say thank you; and (d) think about what it involves (John 14:15).

(5) They can be sure that they are a child of God (Romans 8:15,16)

D. Helping Children Understand "Faith"
While the word faith is a foreign concept to children, it is possible to explain it's meaning using the following three words: (1) Faith is Believing - The child needs to believe that Jesus was God's Son, who came to earth to die for the sin of people. They need to believe, ie. accept the gospel as fact not fantasy. (2) Faith is Trusting - Salvation is coming to a point of trust in a person, ie. Jesus. In the same way that children trust that their mothers will feed them and be there for them, so they need to be sure that Jesus is real and wants to be their friend. (3) Faith is Doing - They need to start a new way of life. James 2:14-17 speaks of faith that is shown in good deeds. We do not do good to earn points with God, but we do good as a response to what God has done in our lives. It is a way of saying, "Thank you!"

E. A Model Counselling Experience

(1) The talk is given, and some form of response called for

(2) A child responds, either by staying behind or raising a hand, etc.

(3) Approach the child and ask their name, if you don't know it already

(4) Ask the child, by name, why they came forward or put up their hand

(5) Share the Gospel with them

(6) Pray with the Child if they are ready to receive Jesus as Saviour

  • Thank you - for loving me, dying for me, etc.

  • Sorry - for all the wrong things I have done, thought or said.

  • Please - forgive me and make me your child.

    If they are not ready to receive Jesus, say, "Let's talk again some time."

    (7) Assure the child that they are now a part of God's family

    (8) Write the child's name and address down - give it to team leader

    (9) Keep contact with the child, ie. by letter, visit, talking, etc.

    F. Recognising, Encouraging and Responding to Readiness

    (1) How to Recognise Readiness
    There are signs that leaders can look for to determine whether Children are ready to receive Jesus as Saviour: (a) The child asks questions about Jesus’ work of salvation. (b) The child expresses remorse about sin in their life. (c) The child ask to receive Jesus into their life. (d) The child has a change in disposition - serious thoughts, expression of concern over sin, etc. (e) The child shows a development of understanding concepts, such as faith, repentance, confession, etc.

    (2) How to Encourage Readiness
    There are things that teachers can do that will help: (a) Pray that God will draw them to himself. (b) Introduce them to the love and goodness of God. (c) Let them see you living the Christian life.

    (3) How to Respond to Readiness

    General Principles:

    (1) Pray for them - and for an opportunity to share the gospel with them.

    (2) Find out where they are at by asking questions.

    (3) Present the gospel and watch their response.

    (4) Get them to read the Bible.

    (5) Ask probing questions to see whether they understand the gospel.

    (6) Lead them in a prayer of salvation: Admission of sin, belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection, a request for salvation, an offering of thanks for salvation, and a request for help from God to live a righteous life.

    (7) Rejoice with them, review their commitment and reaffirm what has happened.

    Specific Guidelines:

    (1) Clearly explain everything so the child can appreciate the significance of Christ’s death. Key concepts: God loves you, you have sinned, Christ died to pay for your sin, you must admit to Him that you are a sinner and ask Him for forgiveness. You are in God’s family and have everlasting life.

    (2) Use a few scripture passages in your presentation, get children to read a passage if they are able to, and personalise the message by putting their names in the verse. Examples: John 3:16; 3:36; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 1:14; 1 John 1:9. (3) Depend on the Holy Spirit for a response.

    (4) Ask questions and encourage the child to ask questions.

    (5) Give them an opportunity to respond to the gospel:

    (a) Ask children to respond "inside" before asking for outward response. A teacher might say, "If you want Jesus to be your Saviour, say to yourself, ‘Yes, Jesus, I want You to be my Saviour.’"

    (b) Make the invitation clear. A child’s mind wanders easily. Ask the child, "Can you tell me why you came to talk to me?"

    (c) Use natural situations to talk to children about receiving Christ. When a child asks, "Can I accept the Lord?" that is the time to stop and lead the child to Christ. Another simple and effective way is to invite children to remain after class if they desire to accept Christ.

    (d) Avoid making the invitation so easy that acceptance is not genuine. Some human response is necessary. Open confession, or acknowledgement that they desire to accept Christ, often fixes the decision in the mind of a child.

    (e) Avoid group decisions with the young. Better results are obtained at the time of decision if the teacher deals with the child individually and personally. Dealing with children one-on-one avoids the dangers of: (i) manipulation; (ii) hero worship; (iii) emotionalism; (iv) externalism - they may confuse raising a hand with the inward reality of conversion; and (v) gang response - they will respond in a group to please they friends.

    2. Assurance Counselling

    A. Being Certain of Salvation Means Being Sure That:
    * God loves me and will never leave me
    * He goes with me through every problem I face
    * God forgives me when I fail to please Him
    * He's preparing a home for me in heaven

    B. The Causes of Uncertainty

    (1) An Unstable Home Situation
    Children with a poor father-child relationship have greater difficulty trusting their Heavenly Father.

    (2) Allowing Sin to Stay Unchallenged
    When there has not been a great or significant change in life-style, which is usually the case with a "good" kid from a Christian Home, they doubt.

    (3) Basing Assurance on Conduct
    Children who decide that they are Christians according to how they behave will doubt that they are saved. Assurance needs to be based on God's Word.

    (4) Early Conversion Experiences
    Children who give their lives to Jesus early (4 to 8yrs) often grow up and lack assurance. Possibly because they have forgotten their experience.

    (5) Wrong Teaching Received
    Often children are told that if they cannot remember their conversion then they are not saved, or they can lose their salvation if they are not good.

    (6) Fear of Expressing Doubt
    Children may be afraid that they will disappoint their parents if they express doubts. They will appear to have no doubts, but lack assurance inwardly.

    C. Helping a Child Gain Assurance
    Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God's Word. We can guide children to base their salvation on Bible facts as we:

    (1) Explore Their Salvation Experience
    To determine whether the child is saved or whether the doubting is God's prompting, have them share their salvation experience. If they are saved, do not try to reconvert them, simply reassure them of their salvation. Explain that once we are a part of a family we are always a part of it. Point out that they are a part of the family of God forever. Pray for them to gain assurance.

    (2) Show Condition-Promise Verses to the Them
    In Acts 16:31 the condition is: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" while the promise is: "You will be saved". In John 1:12 the condition is "Receive Him, Believe on His name" while the promise is: "You become His child". Read the verse with the child and personalise it by placing their name in the verse. Ask the child, "Did you do this?" If they agree say, "What has God promised to do?"

    (3) Encourage Them to Tell Others
    Children need to be encouraged to tell family and friends about their new found faith, and given time in meetings to testify.




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