Leading Your Child to Jesus
The first component of Leading your child to Jesus is good Communication with Kids.
Have you received any of those emails that reveal the very literal minds of children? Or listened to them recite the Star Spangled Banner in their own words? Children hear things differently than adults. This first exercise and segment is meant to close the gap between what you say and what your children hear. Children understand concrete terms and language better than they understand abstract terms and language. It is important to avoid symbolism and religious words. Here is a list of some of these symbolic and religious words that might be difficult for our children to understand:
Jesus into your heart
Pay the price for your sins
Lord of my life
Sin
Forgiveness
Punishment
Crucified
Savior
Resurrection
Confess
Eternal Life
Substitutionary atoning sacrifice
Perfect lamb who carried my sins
Spiritual transformation

Here are some key things to remember about language and children:

1. Children are at different developmental levels – age can be a factor and experience or exposure to Jesus can be a factor. If you are unsure if what you said is making sense to them, ask.

2. Children are most receptive to stories and terms they can relate to or picture – stories vs. lectures. Think about how Jesus would share important concepts with his followers. Word pictures and quick questions that provoke thought; were 2 techniques.

3. Children may focus on or be distracted by, a single detail in a story. Avoid distracting details and think about appropriateness and timing (i.e. football and drinking).

It will take more practice to use language they will understand. Become a student of your kids and other kids around them. Take time to imagine what it would be like to be them and see the world as they see.

Application: Describe what you believe each of your children already understand about God, Jesus and the Bible.
Application: Develop a list of bullet points that describes your kid’s lives today. In addition to school, culture, and fun activities, include typical attitudes toward God, Jesus, church, and Christianity. Underline items similar to your own childhood years.

Another component to Leading your child to Jesus is to Share your Story, how Jesus became your Lord and Savior. The basics of a strong testimony are: make it clear, use the right terminology and keep it short. Not sure where to start? Lead with, “Here’s what happened to me…” There are 3 Parts to a testimony (as outlined in Paul’s example)
BC – before becoming a Christian
The Cross – your conversion
AD – after becoming a Christian
Application: Using key words only, answer these questions:
BC – Before becoming a Christian: What were you like, personally and/or spiritually before becoming a Christ-follower? What caused you to begin considering a more toward God/Christian?

The Cross – Your conversion: What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to follow Christ? Specifically what did you do to become a Christian?


AD – After becoming a Christian: How did your life begin to change after you began to follow Christ? What are clear differences in your life now that you follow Christ, compared with your BC life?



Now it is time to write your story in shorthand. Using only 4 sentences and the key words from the exercise above, write your story.

Once you’re done thinking about the filters we discussed earlier. Refine what you have written make sure you show identifiable change.

Application: Read your four sentences aloud and time yourself. If it’s longer than one minute, cut down your sentence length.

Application: Share your four sentences with at least two other adults. Ask for feedback on clarity. Make changes as needed.

A third component in Leading you child to Jesus is to Share God’s Story.
Now we can share our own stories in a kid friendly way, but what about sharing the Gospel, or God’s story? Becoming a Contagious Christian, an evangelism training course outlines the Gospel this way:

1. God
2. Us
3. Christ
4. You and me



Work through each segment and work to fully understand the message.

4-Part Gospel Outline
1. God
He is Holy – Leviticus 19:2
He is Loving – 1 John 4:19
He is Just – Isaiah 61:8

2. Us
All people sin – Romans 3:23
Debt payment is Death – Romans 6:23
We cannot clear our debt – Isaiah 1:11

3. Christ
Jesus Christ is God and man – John 1:1, 14
Jesus died as our substitute – Romans 5:8; Revelation 1:18
Jesus our Savior offers forgiveness for free – Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8

4. You and me
We must ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior – Romans 10:9; Ephesians 5:15, 17
We become adopted into God’s family – John 1:12
Spiritual transformation takes place b/c Jesus is in us – 2 Corinthians 5:17


This outline helps us put the gospel into words, but so far it isn’t kid friendly. Let’s look at kid-friendly terms and see if we can come up with some words and phrases that kids can understand.

It is important to remember that even though we deliver the message, true comprehension and conviction are results of the Holy Spirit. Work out these applications.

Application: On one side of a small note card list the four parts of the salvation plan: God, Us, Christ, You and Me. Next to each point, write a short sentence of explanation. Carry this card so you can refresh your memory prior to any situation in which you might have the chance to share God’s story (with kids or adults.)

Application: Practice explaining the salvation plan with at least two other adults. Ask for feedback on clarity and kid-friendliness.



A final component in Leading you child to Jesus is The Prayer and Beyond.

What are we preparing all this for? It is all for the moment when our children ask what they need to do to become a Christian. With adults we will use scripture passages that give a process of repentance and confession and acknowledgement. But with Children perhaps you have heard of the A-B-C Prayer.

1. A-B-C Prayer
A – Admit your sins and ask for forgiveness
B – Believe in Jesus and that he died for your sins
C – Choose to follow Jesus the rest of your life

We will need to replace any adult words with kid words to help them understand and be able to say it themselves.

What then should we be looking for when they say the prayer?

2. Readiness guidelines
Genuine, personal desire
Don’t discount repeat prayers
Consider age

3. How to respond when they do Pray to accept Christ
Make it a big deal
Mark the moment
Get a Bible for your child
Encourage continued prayer

Go through the application questions for this section.

Application: On the back of the note care you made as a personal exercise following our Telling God’s Story, write the letters A, B and C with a short explanation of each.

Application: Practice prompting a partner through the A-B-C prayer. Repeat at least twice.

Application: Plan what you will do in response to the moment your child prays for salvation.



The Early Years: Well, many of us have young children. And, I love the chapter in Leading Your Child to Jesus that is about just that, young children. How can we effectively reach a young child? John Trent says, “it’s never too early for God’s created people to do the very thing he created them for: have a deep friendship with him.”
Positively connect the child’s world to God. It can be very simple.
God made this banana – as you hand them a banana to eat
I’m here for you, and God is always here for you – when fussy
Using the name of God and Jesus frequently
Singing… what other ways???
Clearly communicate God’s truth and love. Use four-word simple statements of God’s truth.
God made the animals
God made the sky
God will help me
The Bible is true
Jesus loves me
Actively reinforce the message, with touch – expression of God’s love.

Application: List several simple, four-word statements in each of the following categories:
Who God is

What God does

Things we see that remind us of God

Descriptions of God’s love

Application: Write a note to your son or daughter that describes your love for him or her. Read the note to your child often, followed by a long hug.