A Personal Approach
by David Staal
posted 3/31/2006
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Scripture offers assurance that kids can enter an authentic relationship with Jesus. You probably even know of examples that show children do commit their young lives to Jesus. So the question becomes how?
Many children's ministries answer that question with clear and relevant lessons, accompanied by creative Bible teaching. Incredible salvation messages for kids have become plentiful and readily available, and certainly enjoy success. But they represent only one approach. Because when one of these programs or lessons ends, little eyes frequently scan for adults in the room while their little minds formulate big questions.
What happens next contributes mightily to a ministry's ability to reach its full impact. The adults in that room can help individual kids cross the line of salvation by engaging in simple conversations. Oftentimes, the situation calls for clear, plain talk about a relationship with Jesus. Or maybe answers to questions about God and heaven. These simple exchanges at church (or home) can have profound effects—but they call for preparation, because the stakes are high.
When Dennis was a young boy, he expressed a desire to start a relationship with Jesus. So his mother took him to meet with a staff member at their church. This person explained several biblical concepts and prayed the salvation prayer for Dennis. It wasn't until many years later that Dennis, in a conversation with his small group leader, heard about the need to pray for himself. Now he wishes he had learned that critical piece of the process earlier in life.
Sure, when my son or daughter expresses interest in hearing about how someone gets to heaven, I could schedule a meeting with a staff member at my church and let the "professional" do the talking. No one would call me a bad parent. Or as a kids' small group leader, when one of the boys in my group asks me what it means to be a Christian, I could find one of the large group teachers or the ministry director to offer an explanation. But do either of those approaches fully serve the child involved?
Deferring to someone more qualified or experienced feels more comfortable, because I avoid an encounter with my own fearful thought, What if I don't say the right thing? But consider the child's viewpoint. If the adult she is close to hesitates to talk about Jesus on a personal level, will Jesus seem close by or far off? Even if the reason for the handoff stems from the adult's uncertainty about how to say what he or she knows in a kid-friendly way, the impact is equally confusing.
Conversely, imagine the potential impact on a child who listens to his or her parent's from-the-heart story of faith. Or the potential unleashed when an adult at Sunday school offers a simple clarification of what it means to be a Christian, answering a question the child didn't want to ask in front of everyone. It's easy to believe that a child in either situation might be encouraged to start a relationship with Jesus right then and there.
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