Adapted from Sharing God's Special Plan with Children Training Manual
And
God's Special Plan for Children Witnessing Booklet
(Both available through LifeWay Christian Resources)

George Barna reported that "the greatest evangelistic window currently available is among young children." According to the data gathered, children, ages 5 through 13 have a 32 % probability of coming to Christ while teenagers and adults have just a 4% and 6% probability respectively of doing so. Barna continued in the report to state "that if a person does not accept Christ as savior before the age of 14 the likelihood of ever doing so is slim."1 Other research tends to agree with Barna's results. Thom Rainer expressed in his book, The Bridger Generation, that "the most receptive group in America may very well be an age-related group . . . More than any other factor-race, class, culture, etc.-age seems to be the key to receptivity."2 Rainer's research demonstrated that over half of Christians today accepted Christ before the age of 13.3 History and experience both reveal that children are a fertile mission field for the gospel.

But how do we appropriately introduce children to Christ? After all, children are not small adults. Their minds are just as unformed as their bodies. We must understand that presenting the plan of salvation to a child is much different than presenting it to an adult. Introducing children to Christ must be done, not only biblically, but also with integrity, taking into consideration the child's level of understanding and maturity. Therefore, the key to any witnessing encounter with a child is having a properly trained adult discussing the life-changing gospel message with that child. An adult is properly trained when he is able to recognize if a child is truly ready to accept Christ. A child's understanding can be determined by simply asking questions and presenting appropriate Bible passages dealing with salvation. Doing these two things allows the Holy Spirit to move in the life of a child, as well as, in our own lives to give us discernment in the understanding of the child. 

Below are five biblical concepts to help one know if a child is ready to receive Christ. Along with these concepts are questions (answers are in parentheses) and Scripture verses that are helpful in determining a child's understanding of the gospel.

1. A child must understand the concept of sin.

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness   1 John 3:4 

Generally speaking, a child will understand this concept in terms of right and wrong. For this reason, sin is bad things that people do that God does not like. Sin can be an action or a thought. Briefly, sin is disobeying God. 

One can determine if a child understands this concept by simply asking him, "What is sin?" Try not to feed the answer to the child, but allow him to answer from his understanding. If he has difficulty in answering this question, tell him the answer. A child not answering this question does not necessarily mean that he is not ready to receive Christ, it could be that he has never before heard the word. Explain the concept of sin to him in childlike terms. Next ask, "What are some things that people do that God does not like?" Have the child list for you several items that would be considered sin. Allow the child to once again express his understanding of sin. If the child answers correctly, acknowledge his understanding by saying, "That's right, God does not like __________. God says that _________is sin." This will help to reinforce his concept of sin.

2. A child must understand that he has sinned.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God   Romans 3:23

Repentance is a major aspect of becoming a Christian. However, before one can repent, he must understand his sinfulness before God. 

To test a child's understanding of this ask, "Have you ever done anything that God does not like?" If the child answers, "Yes," allow him the opportunity to explain what he has done. If the child answers, "No," do not assume that he is not ready to receive Christ. Simply, probe his understanding further by asking questions such as, "Have you ever told a lie?" or "Have you ever disobeyed your parents?" If the child acknowledges these questions explain to him that these, too, are sins that God does not like. Therefore, he, like everyone else, is a sinner. If once again the child answers, "No," to these probing questions, gently stop the presentation and in a positive manner explain to the child that he is not yet ready to make this important decision. Encourage him to continue in his spiritual activities and as he has more questions to come to you to discuss them. The most important aspect of stopping the presentation at this point is to be positive. Gently turn the child away by stating that God wants a relationship with him, but he needs to grow and mature more before making that decision. 

3. A child must understand that sin is rebellion against God.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight   Psalm 51:4

For the Lord our God is holy   Psalm 99:9

Sin hurts people. If one steals from a person, then the stealer has hurt that person. If someone lies to a friend, then the liar has hurt his friend. Even though sin hurts individuals, all sin is ultimately against God. God is the One who has expressed his requirement of people in the Bible. If one does not obey the Bible, then his lack of obedience (sin) is rebellion against God. Sin is very serious. In today's society many make fun of or excuse away man's sinful behavior. Sin is portrayed as being "not that bad." However, to God sin is very serious. It is sin that cost God His Son. To express the seriousness of sin to a child ask questions like, "Where does God live?" (He lives in heaven.) "What is heaven like?" (It is perfect. There are no bad things in heaven.) "Is our world perfect?" (No) "Why isn't our world perfect like God's heaven?" (Our world is not perfect because of sin.) Sin has polluted our world. God is holy, that means He is perfect, and His desire is for us to be perfect. But, our sin keeps us from being perfect. God views our sin as rebellion against His command for perfection.

4. A child must understand that sin separates him from God. 

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear    Isaiah 59:2

For the wages of sin is death   Romans 6:23

Our sin is not only rebellion against God, it causes us to be separated from Him. What we deserve for our sin is to be forever separated from God. Explain to the child that our sin (rebellion) keeps us from getting into heaven and being with God. Because of sin we cannot be with God and He cannot be with us. Our sin has pushed us away from God. God cannot allow sinful man into a perfect heaven, because we would ruin it. Ask the child, "Even though sin keeps us away from God, does He still love us?" (Yes). Yes, He loves us very much. The Bible says For God so loved the world (John 3:16). We are a part of the world that God created. Our sin separates us from God, but He loves us so much that He still wants us to be with Him. God desires to be with us so much that He provided a way for our sins to be forgiven.


5. A child must understand that Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin. 

For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life   John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us   Romans 5:8

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord   Romans 6:23

God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to earth to come and die for the sins of the world. Jesus left heaven, came to earth, and died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins and God raised Him back to life on the third day. Jesus died so that we could be with God and God could be with us. God made only one provision for our sins to be forgiven, the death of His Son Jesus. Now ask the child, "Just because Jesus died for the sins of the world, does that mean that everyone is automatically going to heaven?" (No). Ask the child to explain his answer. (God's gift to us is eternal life, but knowing about the gift is not enough. We must each accept this gift. Part of God's special plan for your life is that you receive His gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus.) 


If the child has understood the presentation this far and has shown a desire to become a Christian, then continue with the following biblical information.

To accept God's gift of eternal life, you must:

1. Repent - Understand that you sin (disobey God) and you must turn from your sin. To repent, tell God that you have sinned, ask Him to forgive you and help you obey and please Him the rest of your life. The Bible says, Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19).

2. Believe - You must believe that Jesus died for you and is alive today. You must also believe that Jesus is the only way for you to get to heaven.

The Bible says, Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

3. Receive - You must invite Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior. By inviting Him, you are promising to obey Him in all areas of your life.

Now ask the child, "Do you understand all that I have explained to you about becoming a Christian?" If the answer is "Yes" ask the child to explain to you the three things he must do to become a Christian. If he answers "No" ask him to explain which part was unclear. Be prepared to review the three items again. If you sense that he is truly ready to make a commitment to Christ, then read to him Romans 10:13. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Ask the child if he truly would like to turn from his sin and accept Jesus into his life as Lord and Savior. If you sense that he understands the message, that the Holy Spirit is dealing with him, and that he really wants to do this with all his heart then lead him in a prayer highlighting the three items listed above.