Within the e-book of Acts, chapters 24-26, we learn of God appointing the correct time for the Apostle Paul to share the gospel about Jesus Christ to a number of Roman leaders, specifically: Governor Felix, Governor Festus and King Agrippa. Pastor Dave talked about in his sermon this previous weekend (watch it right here), that Paul was clearly God’s chosen messenger to those high-powered leaders. In our private context, God will select us to be His messenger to others at appointed occasions as nicely! We all know this due to Jesus’ command to His followers in Matthew 28:19-20, “Due to this fact, go and make disciples of all of the nations, baptizing them within the title of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Train these new disciples to obey all of the instructions I’ve given you. And ensure of this: I’m with you all the time, even to the tip of the age” (NLT).
All nations means all individuals, and all individuals embody all ages! In keeping with a sequence of research by George Barna (founding father of The Barna Group, a Christian analysis group), “the chance of somebody embracing Jesus as his or her Savior was 32 % for these between the ages of 5 and 12; 4 % for these within the 13-18 age vary; and 6 % for individuals 19 or older. In different phrases, if individuals don’t embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior earlier than they attain their teenage years, the prospect of their doing so in any respect is slim.” 1 Whereas sharing the gospel to adults is vital, it’s much more crucial that we share the gospel to children! Chances are you’ll be a dad or mum, aunt, uncle, grandparent, godparent, household good friend or children volunteer. God is probably going appointing you to be His messenger to children with the message of the gospel! How will we do that? We share the gospel with children by being clear on our personal understanding of the gospel message, being led by the Holy Spirit, utilizing illustrations, and holding it easy.
Perceive the gospel message
A useful useful resource from Baby Evangelism Fellowship, is The Wordless E book (obtain the e-book with directions right here), which makes use of colors to assist children keep in mind the important thing ideas about salvation.2 There are 5 colors: gold, black, crimson, white, and inexperienced. Not solely can this software be used with children, however it will possibly work with adults too!
- Gold = We have been created by a Heavenly God to have an in depth friendship with Him. (Genesis 1:26-27; John 3:16)
- Black = Sin is pondering, saying, or doing issues that God says are mistaken. Sin retains us away from God. (Romans 3:23)
- Crimson = Due to His nice love, God made a approach for us to be shut with Him once more by caring for our sin. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and are available again to life. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
- White = Once we consider that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross and got here again to life for us, our sins are forgiven and we might be shut with God once more. (Acts 16:31; John 1:12)
- Inexperienced = Once we put our belief in Jesus, we are able to develop to know God higher. Once we do mistaken, we are able to admit this to God and He’ll forgive us. (John 17:3; 1 John 1:9)
It’s a good suggestion to evaluate the above ideas by yourself and apply speaking about them earlier than sharing them with others. The gospel should first be clear in our personal thoughts earlier than we are able to confidently share it. That is true not just for talking with children, however with anybody, any age. The important thing distinction with children is that you will want to make use of language/vocabulary that they know or are conversant in at their age. That being mentioned, educating them a brand new phrase and explaining it’s attainable too. Simply watch out to not introduce too many new phrases so that you simply’re not continually having to outline new phrases for them.
Be led by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is an unimaginable information! It’s by His energy that we’re in a position to be efficient witnesses for Jesus on this planet (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts individuals of their sin and wish for God (John 16:8). He’s the one who brings freedom and removes the veil that blinds us to God’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The Holy Spirit is the one who provides knowledge and perception in order that we are able to develop within the data of God (Ephesians 1:17-18).
When sharing the gospel with children (or anybody), ask the Holy Spirit that can assist you hear nicely, specific God’s love for them, and communicate with assured readability. Ask the Holy Spirit to even be at work within the youngster’s coronary heart too, as you wish to associate with what He’s already doing of their lives. Even whereas talking with the kid, you might be in communication with the Holy Spirit, pausing to check-in with Him within the quietness of your coronary heart. You’ll be able to belief that He offers you His phrases and ideas within the second that shall be good for that youngster in that second (Luke 12:12).
Use illustrations
Much like adults, children will have interaction higher when ideas are connected to tales or with object classes. The Wordless E book is one easy illustration when sharing the gospel to children. One other one which I’ve discovered useful and that may be finished wherever with no advance preparation, is the next:
- Use any 3 individuals or objects round you. One individual/object represents God, the opposite individual/object represents you and I, lastly the ultimate individual/object represents Jesus.
- Utilizing the individuals or objects, clarify how we have been made to be shut with our Creator God (maintain each objects shut collectively), however then sin separated us from God (separate each objects). There was no approach for us to come back near God once more due to our sin drawback. We’d like assist! We’d like a Saviour. That Saviour is Jesus!
- Introduce the third “Jesus” object by inserting it in between God and us. God liked the world a lot that He despatched Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and are available again to life so we may have new life by God’s energy and be shut with God once more.
One other technique to illustrate the gospel message is to share your individual story of the way you got here to place your belief in Jesus and the wonderful distinction He has made and continues to make in your life. Discover that is what the Apostle Paul did too. He shared his private expertise encountering Jesus after which proceeded to elucidate about religion in Jesus.
Hold it easy
There could be the temptation to elucidate each idea intimately or give extra details about Biblical context. Whereas this can be good and useful, it isn’t all the time obligatory or useful when a toddler (or any individual) is simply studying about God and Jesus for the primary time. Keep away from overcomplicating the gospel message, as this may be overwhelming for individuals. As soon as once more, with a private clear understanding of the gospel and with apply, it is possible for you to to talk extra confidently, succinctly and successfully.
Conclusion
We share the gospel with children by being clear on our personal understanding of the gospel message, being led by the Holy Spirit, utilizing illustrations, and holding it easy. Keep in mind to additionally maintain the dialog a dialogue that’s interactive with children. This may assist to maintain them feeling concerned and occupied with your sharing. You are able to do this by asking questions and permitting the kid to make feedback.
Keep in mind that every youngster (and adults too) is on a journey religion. Because the youngster matures, you could doubtless share the gospel message with them a number of occasions, every time maybe in a extra deep or considerate approach, earlier than they lastly come to a private determination to just accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. And once they do, be prepared to assist them take subsequent steps to develop their religion (e.g. Bible studying, prayer, worship, church small teams, serving and so on). How thrilling that God needs to make use of us as His messengers and representatives on this world! Much more thrilling is the unimaginable evangelistic alternative we now have to succeed in youthful generations for Christ in order that they’ll burn vibrant for Him all their lives.
