We believe that in every child,
God creates a longing in their heart for Him.
This is a longing that only He can fill.

From the mouths of INFANTS You have ordained praise. – Psalm 8:2

As you share God’s love with children, you are investing in the most precious treasure on earth! As God’s truth is revealed, we pray that His Spirit will be at work, drawing the hearts of children (and their families) to Himself (John 6:44). As children show interest in salvation, we ask that you be attentive and available. Scripture does not show us that there is any sort of “magic prayer” – or any prayer at all – that is necessary for salvation. (See “Biblical Salvation Stories” at the end of his section.) When a person recognizes that he is a HELPLESS sinner (powerless to do anything to save himself) and BELIEVES that Jesus is the only One who can take away his sin, he is saved. We simply ask that you make yourself available to speak with a child, ask questions, hear from God, and pray with the child if he or she needs clarity on any issue.

• We know that children can encounter God. There are several examples in the Bible of children who had direct spiritual encounters: Consider Samuel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist (in the womb!)

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. – Matthew 18:10 NIV

• Jesus tells us that unless we become like little children we cannot see the kingdom of God:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. – Matthew 18:1-6 NIV

• Jesus said not to hinder children from coming to Him. He became indignant at the way His disciples treated children:

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16 NIV

Focus on the phrase, “Do not hinder them.” How can we be sure not to hinder children from coming to Christ?
1. Get out of the way.
2. Make space.
3. Be comfortable with silence.
4. Accept their questions.
5. Welcome them.
6. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

• Salvation is the work of God! (John 6:44, Isaiah 59:16)

Sometimes, in our zeal to see children come to faith in Jesus Christ, we actually become a lot like a “salesman.” There must be conviction, not convincing. If you are convincing a child to be saved, you are actually hindering the Spirit from working.

Jesus loves children far more than we do, and it is His desire that none should perish but that all would be saved (2 Peter 2:9). He will work in His perfect time. PRAY for the children, and pray that their understanding of God will grow and that in time, they will receive the most wonderful gift of eternal life with the Lord.

Each child expresses interest in God at different ages and stages of development. While it’s important not to rush children, we want to be ever sensitive to how the Holy Spirit may be working in their lives. Remember that all it takes is child-like faith! When a child recognizes that he is a HELPLESS sinner and BELIEVES that Jesus is the only One who can take away his sin, he is saved.

SOME QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOU
If you have the opportunity to speak with a child who seems interested in salvation, here are questions you may want to ask. We are not looking for a “perfect score” – just an understanding of God’s truth. This time of discussion is an opportunity to clear up any misconceptions. Asking questions is the best way for you to find out where the child is spiritually! If the child really does not grasp these truths at this time, pray with him or her. Thank God for moving in their life, and ask that He continue to reveal Himself to the child.

Remember that there must be more than just an understanding a Bible story or series of stories. Salvation involves a CHANGED HEART.

Are you perfect or have you sinned? (I have sinned – Romans 3:23)

What does sin do? (Ruins everything, separates me from God, earns death and punishment in the Lake of Fire)

Does God WANT to punish you? (No)

Why doesn’t God want to punish you? (Because He loves me! – John 3:16)

Can you save yourself? (No) Can you do good things to outweigh your sins? (No, adding good things can’t take away my sin)

What sacrifice is required to take away your sin? (Death is the payment for sin. Jesus was perfect. He took my sin and put it on Himself. He is the only One with perfect blood) Hebrews 9:22 This will require some explanation from the Old Testament.

Who has perfect blood? Who can save you? (Jesus, the Lamb of God – Romans 5:6-8)

How can God punish sin without punishing you? (He took my place, He provided a Lamb, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sin – Isaiah 53:6)

What does God want you to do? (He wants me to TRUST/BELIEVE in Him!) Acts 16:31; Romans 3:26

Is that all? Is there something you need to DO to be saved? (No, when I change my mind about my sin and completely trust in Jesus, I am saved.) Eph. 2:8-9

How can you know that you belong to God? (Because Jesus is the Good Shepherd) John 10:27-29

PLEASE AVOID THE FOLLOWING:

Confusing Terminology:

• Give your heart to Jesus.
We don’t give anything to Jesus. He gave us everything by giving us HIS
blood to pay for our sins.
• Commit your life to God.
Again, it is Christ who has committed His love to us, not us to Him.
• All you have to do is . . .
Remember that we can’t DO anything to be saved. It’s all about what God
has done for us.
• Confess your sin to the Lord.
This is not what saves you. We can’t even begin to know all of our sin.
We must repent: literally, to change our mind about our sin and be in
agreement with God.

Confusing Vocabulary:

• Be careful to explain all terminology (sin, saved, forgiveness, everlasting life, believe)

Confusing Word Pictures:

Sometimes, in our effort to make things “kid-friendly,” we avoid using the Bible and rely on props and/or man-made stories. But God’s Word is alive and powerful. It changes lives! Never discount the power of God’s Word! Our words are just our words. God’s Words are LIFE!

EMBRACE THE FOLLOWING:

Be spiritually prepared!
DEPEND upon the Holy Spirit to do the work. If it’s His conviction, the decision is lasting. If it is our convincing, a child may remain confused and actually live in turmoil and dissatisfaction.

PRAY for God’s guidance, and PRAY for the children in your life.

Take your time.
There is nothing more important than salvation.
Talk to a child alone (not in a secluded area – for your own protection).
Ask questions – make sure he/she understands.

Some reasons why children can be confused:
-He does not understand the terminology.
-He’s frightened into a decision.
-He does not understand what sin is. Or if he does, he may not understand that
he is a HELPLESS sinner, that he cannot do anything to remove his sin and that
he needs a Savior.
-He does not realize that salvation is a decision made ONCE.
-He follows the crowd or a friend who gets saved.
-He wants to please an adult.
-He responds to emotion-packed stories.

USE THE BIBLE (God’s Word is alive and powerful!)
Some Biblical Salvation Stories especially effective in explaining salvation to children:
Jesus Talks with Nicodemus (John 3)
Jesus Talks with the Woman at the Well of Samaria (John 4)
Philip Tells the Ethiopian about Jesus (Acts 8)
Paul and Silas Tell a Jailer about Jesus (Acts 16)