Leading a Child to Christ

Because each child develops at his own pace, some kids are ready to be saved during their elementary years, and some are not. Also, we can never predict when the Holy Spirit will convict a child. We may be able to make someone feel guilty, but we can’t convict anyone of sin. God does that on His own schedule. Some signs of God’s working may be when a child’s questions suddenly become deep and serious and he seems to really grasp spiritual truths.

Children are very easily influenced—both by other kids and by adults. They often repeat what other kids say, and may agree to whatever the teacher asks if they think that’s what he wants to hear.

Children are invited to talk to the teacher about salvation in the Application section of many lessons. If a child wants to talk to you about accepting Jesus, wait to talk with him about it until after class. If more than one child responds at once, ask helpers and parents to step in so a conversation can be had with each child individually and none will feel pressured to do what the others do. If the child’s parents are in the church and present, invite them to attend, participate in or perhaps even take over the conversation. Otherwise arrange to have a helper busy in another end of the room during the conversation in order to avoid legal and moral problems for you and your church caused by being alone with a child to whom you’re not related.

First, ask the child why he wanted to talk to you. He may have just wanted your undivided attention or to tell you something else. Ask if he knows why Jesus died on the cross. If he doesn’t understand what sin is or doesn’t grasp that it’s a problem between God and himself, he probably isn’t ready. Encourage him to keep on attending and keep asking questions and invite him to talk with you about it again someday.

Because we very much want children to be saved, it’s tempting to ask suggestive questions, such as, “You know that Jesus died for your sins so you can go to heaven, don’t you?” It’s easy for a kid to say "Yes" to please an adult without really understanding. Give him a chance to talk, and don’t worry if he doesn’t use familiar Christian vocabulary. If a child can phrase content in his own words, he may be able to understand it.

1. Sin is insisting on our own way instead of what God wants. Everyone on earth is a sinner (read to him or have him read Romans 3:10). Some examples of sin are being selfish, being mean to others, acting like you’re better than others and breaking the rules by lying, stealing, cheating and such. We sin be­cause we’re sinners.
   
2. Sin separates us from God, who’s absolutely good and can’t stand to be around sin. No matter how hard we try to do what’s right, we have no chance of reaching God’s level of goodness (read Romans 3:23). 
3. Death is God’s punishment for sin. It came into the world when Adam and Eve sinned. Without sin, people never would have died, but since then, everyone dies (read Romans 5:12). 
4. Jesus, God’s Son, is absolutely good and has never been a sinner. Yet He died on the cross, taking the punishment for our sin so we wouldn’t have to take it (read Romans 5:8). That shows how much God loves us.
   
5. Because Jesus paid for our sin, God offers us eternal life: that means living with Him forever, even after we die (read Romans 6:23). Eternal life is a gift—something we can never earn. What do you do when someone gives you a gift? (Answer) 
6.  Here’s how you take and open this gift: (read Romans 10:9,10) Admit that Jesus is Lord. That means He’s the boss of everyone and everything, and you want Him to have the say in your life. Believe that God made Him alive again after He died for our sins. Confessing that and trusting Him makes you right with God and saves you. 
7. (Read Romans 10:13.) God is willing to save anyone who comes to Him. Would you like to pray and accept God’s gift? (Answer) Tell Him you’re sorry for your sin and thank Him for His gift of eternal life through Jesus. Just saying certain words doesn’t do anything; you really need to be serious with God—and He knows exactly what you’re thinking.

 Suggest that the child pray aloud. Then ask him what he’s just done. Ask whether he believes what you’ve read together in God’s Word. Ask if he really be­lieves God has saved him. If he’s unsure, review the areas of doubt again. Even at this point it may turn out that he’s not yet ready. In this case, encourage him to come back and talk with you about it another time.

 If he says he’s sure, you might encourage him to write this date down on a slip of paper to keep in his Bible to remind him of his decision, noting on it the Bible referen­ces discussed so he can look them up any time. Ask if he has a Bible of his own and if not, give him one or suggest he request one for his birthday or Christmas. Encou­rage him to tell others about his decision. Suggest to him and his parents a booklet or course (from Child Evangelism Fellowship, for instance) about growing in faith to cover such topics as assurance of sal­vation, the Holy Spirit living within and dealing with sin as a child of God.