Leading Your Child to Christ

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2 Leading Your Child to Christ 1

3 Children and Conversion Realities of Childhood Conversion In many cases children who make a decision for Christ at a young age don t have a real understanding of what they are doing or why. When childhood conversion is driven by ritual and tradition it can lead to confusion. Wrong Reasons for Childhood Conversion My child is old enough, they should make a decision for Christ. Other children their age are being baptized. It s a right of passage. My child knows all the right answers. I m worried about their eternal security. The Parents Role You must trust God with your kids. When we fail to trust God we tend to try and take control of the process ourselves. Faith is living without scheming 2

4 How People Develop Spiritually Spiritual Development is a Process For most children raised in church conversion is part of a process. It s not unusual for very young children raised in church to have all the right answers. In many cases we interpret interest as belief and rush children through the motions instead of guiding their growth. Examples of Spiritual Development Follow - Believe - Obey Peter Paul Let God Lead the Process You can t make your child a Christian. Don t try to rush what God is doing in your child s life by focusing on ritual and tradition. 1. Don t coach the right answers. 2. Avoid repeat after me prayers. 3. De-emphasise baptism and focus on following 3

5 Guiding Your Child s Journey Allow Your Child to Follow Recognize and celebrate your child s desire to follow. Be an example and teach through your everyday life. (see Theology for Children page 6) Help them take personal steps to learn more about who Jesus is and what He did for us. Recognize Belief Marked change in behavior and motives. Sorrow for sin - not just consequences. Increased spiritual interest. Evidence of spiritual giftedness and a desire to serve God and others. Help Your Child Obey Well Belief determines behavior - focus on the heart. Avoid developing a legalistic approach Obedience comes from gratitude not obligation. 4

6 What about Baptism? What Baptism doesn t do Baptism doesn t save. Baptism doesn t get you into heaven. Baptism doesn t wash away sin. What Baptism is Baptism is a symbol. Baptism is a testimony to others. Baptism is an example given to us by Jesus. Baptism is an act of obedience. Should my child be Baptized? 1. Have you seen a change in your child that is evidence of belief and regeneration? 2. Can your child articulate that change and their desire to live for Christ? 5

7 Theology for Children 6

8 God Loves You Scripture 1 John 4:8 - God is love. John 3:16 - God loves the world. Illustration Favorite Things How will you help your children see that God loves them? 7

9 You Have Sinned Scripture Romans 3:23 - All have sinned. Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death. Romans 1:8 - All sin is displeasing to God. Isaiah 53:6 - The wrong things people do are sins against God. Illustration Water Pitcher and Cups How will you help your children understand that we have all sinned and that sin separates us from God? 8

10 Jesus Came to Save You Scripture 1 Corinthians 15:3 - Christ died for our sins. 1 John 4:10 - The Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. Isaiah 53:6 - Christ died for the sins of all people. John 3:16 - Jesus death makes eternal life possible. Illustration Path How will you help your children understand that Jesus saved us from the punishment we deserved for our sin? 9

11 You Must Receive God s Free Gift Scripture John 1:12 - Those who believe are children of God. Acts 20:21 - People become Christians when they make Jesus their Lord. Romans 10:9 - If you confess Jesus is Lord you will be saved. Illustration Gift ABC - Admit, Believe, Commit How will you help your children realize they can receive God s free gift of forgiveness? 10

12 God Adopts Us Into His Family Scripture John 1:12 - You are now in God s family Romans 8:16 - God s spirit lives in you John 3:16 - Those who believe in Jesus have eternal life. John 10: No one can take you from the hands of Jesus Illustration Adoption How will you help your children see that God has made a way for us to have a personal relationship with God that lasts forever? 11

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