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EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

Tommy Knighten Associate Pastor for Children & Families Staples Mill Road Baptist Church. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN. Introduction. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN. Children & Salvation. Can anyone share a Biblical example of a child becoming a Christian?

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EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

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  1. Tommy KnightenAssociate Pastor for Children & FamiliesStaples Mill Road Baptist Church EVANGELIZINGANDFOLLOWING UPWITHCHILDREN

  2. Introduction EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  3. Children & Salvation • Can anyone share a Biblical example of a child becoming a Christian? • Can children come to Christ? EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  4. Mark 10:13-16 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  5. Children & Salvation • What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God “like a child”? • Would it make any sense for Jesus to say this if children were not capable of saving faith? • In fact – Children are themodel for how to come to Christ EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  6. Why is it tricky? • Perceiving their level of understanding • Head knowledge vs. Spirit-guided heart desire • Ability to make an independent decision • Ability to make a long-term commitment EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  7. Why is it tricky? • Potential for “false decisions” • Misunderstanding that wasn’t recognized in counseling • Desire to be baptized, take the Lord’s supper, or join the church • Desire to be a part of the “club”, their peers and other kids they’ve seen join • A desire to please their parents or other adults EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  8. The danger of a “false” decision • Can mask the Spirit’s true promptings on a child’s heart • Can frustrate a child (and parents) as they try to “act” good without the Spirit’s true work in their heart EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  9. The danger of a “false” decision • Can lead a child to turn away from Christ later as they’ve mistaken their false conversion as the real thing and found it lacking • Can make it embarrassing or difficult for a child to profess Christ truly at an older age in front of the church body (especially after being baptized) EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  10. Our Goal • Review how to share the Gospel effectively and follow-up in counseling • Develop skills in discerning a child’s understanding and motives in their decision • Protect the child’s heart for God’s Spirit to move in His timing EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  11. Basics of the Gospel EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  12. The Basics of the Gospel • The Problem: Sin & Separation (Romans 3:23, 6:23) • God’s Provision: Jesus as sinless Son of God and Savior (John 3:16, Romans 5:8) • Our Response: Repentance, Forgiveness, Faith, & Lordship (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9) EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  13. Keys to presenting the Gospel to Children EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  14. Prayer • For God’s work in the children's hearts over time • As you prepare to share the Gospel • Without ceasing as you share • It is not your effort or skill, nor the effort of the child, that saves – it is Christ’s work on the cross and the Spirit’s in their heart. Call on Him! EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  15. Defining & Explaining Words • The Problem: Sin & Separation • Romans 3:23: Sin, fall short, Holiness • Romans 6:23: Wages, death EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  16. Defining & Explaining Words • God’s Provision: Jesus as Son of God and Savior • John 3:16: Believe, Jesus as God’s Son • John 3:16, Romans 6:23: gave, gift • John 3:16, Romans 6:23: perish/death, everlasting life EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  17. Defining & Explaining Words • Our Response: Repentance, Forgiveness, Faith & Lordship • 1 John 1:9: confess, forgiveness, purify, repent • Romans 10:9: Confess; Lord EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  18. Lord’s Supper & Baptism • If child has mentioned or is interested in Lord’s Supper & Baptism – make sure to separate from salvation • Baptism is an act of obedience following salvation • Explain baptism with wedding ring… EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  19. Abstract Words & Phrases • Avoid using abstract ideas or phrases, and if they use them explore what they mean further • “Saved”, “Jesus in my heart”, “Give your heart to Jesus” • Salvation, Redemption, Atonement EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  20. Abstract Words & Phrases • Instead: • Sin: explain with “doing wrong, disobeying God” • Repent: explain with “stop disobeying God & start following Christ” • Faith: explain with “Trust, follow, Jesus as boss of life” EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  21. A Conversational Approach • A Conversational Approach is best, allowing their answers and the Holy Spirit to lead from topic to topic • This is why we have to know the Gospel so well, to be able to see the connections and ask good questions! EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  22. A Conversational Approach • A conversational approach also helps to guard against “railroading” the decision. • Don’t let getting to the last page and “praying the prayer” force the child’s decision. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  23. Open-Ended Questions • Examples: • Why do you want to be a Christian? • What is sin? • What did Jesus do for you? Why did He do it? EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  24. Open-Ended Questions • The problem with yes or no questions • Disguise misunderstandings • children can usually sense from your question which is the “right” answer EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  25. Open-Ended Questions • The broader the question, the better • Take your time • Give them space to explain their desire to follow Jesus in their own way • Don’t answer, be patient • Rephrase and redirect if you sense they don’t understand your question • Resist the urge to “get them there” by answering for them and asking them to agree EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  26. A Basic Understanding • The Problem: Sin & Separation • Are they aware of their sin? • Do they understand that sin earns death – physical and spiritual? • Do they see how sin separates them from God? • Are they sorry for their sin? Do they want to turn away from it? EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  27. A Basic Understanding • God’s Provision: Jesus as Savior • Do they see that there was nothing they could do to get close to God? • Do they see Jesus as a gift from God? • Do they understand the Jesus never sinned and didn’t have to die on the cross? • Do they understand that Jesus loved them so much that He died on the cross to pay the price for their sins? EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  28. A Basic Understanding • Response: Repentance, Forgiveness, Faith & Lordship • Do they want to stop sinning and follow Jesus? • If so, God will forgive them and they’ll be His children from now on, living for Him now on Earth and with Him forever in Heaven. • Do they see that Jesus died for them? • Are they willing to follow Him 10, 20, 30 years from now? Are they willing to follow Him even when its scary, or when He asks them to do something dangerous? EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  29. Guiding Their Response • If you or they are unsure of their decision: • With the child: • Reassure them that God will help them to know when they’re ready to follow Him through His Spirit • Thank them for taking a step towards Jesus, and encourage them to continue learning more about following Him • Encourage them to talk to their parents and you again as they continue to learn about what Jesus wants for them EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  30. Guiding Their Response • If you or they are unsure of their decision: • With the parent: • Share with their parents if you’re having a hard time discerning their child’s heart. Encourage them that their child is moving in the right direction. • Reassure them that even if you’re unsure, their child might truly have chosen to follow Jesus. If so, God’s Spirit will be evidenced in their child’s life and will make it clearer. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  31. Guiding Their Response • If you and they are sure of the child’s heart to follow Christ • If possible, lead children to say their own prayer • Guide them through the Gospel parts to include as they pray, encouraging them to tell God how they are turning away from sin, thank God for sending Jesus to pay the price for their sin, and telling God they want to give control of their life to Jesus and follow Him forever. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  32. Guiding Their Response • If you and they are sure of the child’s heart to follow Christ • If possible, lead children to say their own prayer • Let them know that you’ll be there to help them pray, and give prompts as you need to. • In cases of a particularly shy or non-verbal child, invite them to pray line by line after you. EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  33. Group Presentations • Yes! Present the Gospel in big groups, small groups, and in individual conversation, but recognize the limits of group presentations EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  34. Group Presentations • Non-Interactive • The conversation that is a positive thing in individual or very small-group sharing can disrupt and distract children in larger groups from the cohesive message of the Gospel • Brief • Shorter attention spans per age group • Much harder to estimate individual understanding EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  35. Group Presentations • How will you allow responses: • Come forward… • Raise Hand… • Response Cards • Invitation to speak to leaders/parents later • Repeatedly reassure children in church programs that leaders are always available to talk about Jesus and pray together EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  36. Group Presentations • When children respond, we always follow up individually • Be careful even when counseling with siblings or two children. One child can often dominate the conversation and mask the other child’s response EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  37. After the Prayer • Review & Reassurance • They are God’s child now and forever – a Christian • They are forgiven for their sins now and forever • God will always be with them, and they will be with Him in Heaven • He will guide them as they continue to follow Him EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  38. After the Prayer • Review & Reassurance • They will still sin, but they are still God’s children • God’s Spirit will now begin to help them learn to follow Him better and better, but they will still be tempted sometimes and mess up (Galatians 5) • Just as God saved them through His power, not their effort – it is His power, love, and forgiveness that keeps them as His children, not the things they can do for Him. (Eph 2:8-9; Heb 13:5) EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  39. Next Steps • Talk about baptism • Immediate baptism • Parent-delayed baptism • Church-delayed baptism EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  40. Next Steps • Church Membership • Lord’s Supper • Learning to read the Bible, pray, about the church, about sharing, etc. • Individual mentoring • New Believer’s Class • Parent-led resources • “Connection Groups” for connecting with non-churched families of child decisions

  41. Tools & Resources EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  42. Your Bible • Preferable – use a kid-friendly translation such as the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) or the New Living Translation (NLT) • Whatever translation you use – you’ll still need to define/discuss meaning • Evangelism Cues (Share Jesus Without Fear) EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  43. Tracts • Lifeway: “The ABCs of Becoming A Christian” • Admit you are a Sinner. Repent, turn away from your sin • Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin. • Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. • Versions • VBS flip tract • More extensive tract EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  44. Tracts Lifeway: “The Gospel: God’s Plan For Me” • God Rules (Colossians 1) • We Sinned (Romans 3:23; 6:23) • God Provided (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) • Jesus Gives (Romans 5:8; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) • We Respond • Sin: Romans 3:23 • Only Jesus thru faith: John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9 • Confess as Lord and Savior: Romans 10:9-10, 13 EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  45. Many other great tracts • Billy Graham’s “Steps to Peace With God” (lots of versions, including kid’s versions) • Dare to Be A Daniel • Special Occasion Tracts • CEF tracts and resources EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  46. Other Visual Cues • Flip books (the “wordless book” & others) • Evangecube • Objects (build lego symbols) • Drawn Illustrations (The Bridge) EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  47. Follow-Up Resources • Lifeway’s “I’m A Christian Now” • Class • books EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  48. Thank You &Table Resources EVANGELIZING AND FOLLOWING UP WITH CHILDREN

  49. Tommy KnightenAssociate Pastor for Children & FamiliesStaples Mill Road Baptist Church EVANGELIZINGANDFOLLOWING UPWITHCHILDREN

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