Leading Children to Christ

1. Pray for the child.
    
2. You cannot save a child, only God can.
   But God can use you in the life of a child to bring him or her to God. Pray for open doors to share the Gospel (Col. 4:2-4).
    
3. Get to know the child.
   Ask Questions. Spend time with the child. Get to know the child so that you will be able to communicate effectively.
    
4. Present the Gospel.
   Tell them the Bad news vs. the Good News. Children cannot be found until they know they are lost! You may use any kid-friendly Gospel presentation (Wordless Book, Gospel on My Hand, ABC method, The Gospel Wheel or various object lessons—see www.Kidology.org or the KidVenture Office)
    
5. Consider Age and Stage.
   
   • Toddlers, ages 2-4: Feeling is in control, not thought. “I do it because I want to; it feels right.”
   • Preschoolers, ages 3-5: Pleasing big people is rewarding. “The adult wants me to do this, so this must be right.”
   • Kindergarten, ages 4-7: Avoiding disappointment and punishment is important. Rewards and punishment motivate the child.
   • Elementary, ages 5-9: Receiving gifts is desirable.
   • Middler, ages 7-10: Soothing the conscience and escaping guilt. Guilt may or may not be a work of the Holy Spirit.
   • Preteen, ages 10-12: Imitating parents, but asking “why?” questions. Doubt or “what if” questions are important.
      
6. Share the main points of the Gospel.
   (Keep it simple, avoid confusing terms and images)
   
   1. God loves you.
   2. You and I have done wrong things (sin = anything we think, say, or do that God does not like). Read Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” If they are not aware that they are a sinner, stop. Ask them to talk to you later when they think they have sinned.
   3. God says that sin must be punished (relate this to a familiar punishment).
   4. God sent Jesus to take the punishment for YOUR sin. Read John 3:16. Then read it again, this time substituting the child’s name for “the world.” Ask: What did Jesus do for you? What happened after He died on the cross?
   5. Because Jesus was punished for the wrong things we do (our sin), He is the Savior.
      Ask: Would you like to tell God that you believe in Jesus as YOUR Savior? Would you like to become part of God’s family, too?
      If yes, lead him in a prayer. If no/not sure/not ready, give the child assurance that it is okay. Let him or her know he can talk to you when he or she is ready.
       
7. Pray (lead them in a prayer of salvation). Let the child pray!
   
   • They can simply repeat after you. There is no “perfect” prayer, but these are the key ingredients:
   • Admission of sin,
   • Belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
   • Request for salvation,
   • Offering of thanks for salvation, and
   • Request for help from God to live a righteous life.
      
8. Give them assurance of their salvation.
   Read: John 1:12, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
   Ask: What did Jesus do for you? How do you know?
   Read: Hebrews 13:5b, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Substitute the child’s name for the word “YOU.”
    
9. Explain to the child how to grow in God’s family.
   
   1. Obey God’s Word
   2. Read the Bible and pray everyday
   3. Watch for ways to serve God
   4. Go to church
       
10. Rejoice, review and reaffirm.
    Be sure to celebrate when a lost sinner comes to the Shepherd (See Luke 14:10). Be sure to encourage the child to tell others of his decision. This confession of faith should be made to you, other teachers, parents, or friends. The adult leading the child to Christ should also make sure that the parent or guardian of the child knows of the child’s decision.