Teaching the Gospel to Kids

There is something special about seeing a child come to know Christ. I had the opportunity to work at Centrikid Camps with 3rd to 6th graders over this past summer, and I can honestly say it was the most exhausting summer of my life. I was tired and beat down and only by the power of Christ was I able to have the energy to continue each day. However, seeing a camper come to know Christ was something that I never got tired of. I absolutely love hanging out with kids (probably because I act like one half the time) and spreading the Gospel to them. But, something that God began revealing to me over the summer, and is still revealing to me now, is that there are several things to remember when teaching a kid the true meaning of the Gospel and what a decision to follow Christ actually means.

1. We must stress the essentials when illustrating the Gospel. You never know how much or what a child has been taught concerning the Gospel, so it is important not to skip any essentials.

• Emphasize the fact that ALL have sinned and fallen short of Christ's glory (Romans 3:23). 
• Show them that though we are sinners, it isn't something to be ashamed of. Tell them how Christ was truly the Son of God and that He redeemed us through His death on the cross and resurrection.
•  Communicate the true meaning of the grace of God, and that we are not saved by what we do once we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10)

2. Although we are not saved by our works, Emphasize that salvation is more than just a prayer. Tell them how it is about a relationship with Christ. Jesus should be our best friend and that it isn't just about believing that Christ was the Son of God, but believing in what He stood for, and dedicating your life to following His plan and not our own. 2 Corinthians 5:15 is a verse I got accustomed to using when illustrating this point, because it paints a perfect picture of a relationship with Christ in a simple way.

3. We want to make the Gospel simple for them to grasp, but remember that kids can understand much more than we give them credit for. Without the Holy Spirit, none of us would be able to truly comprehend the Gospel (Luke 24:45), and the Holy Spirit is accessible to ALL OF US. That includes children. Don't use large vocabulary, but don't skimp on all of the working parts of the Gospel just because you don't think they will be able to understand.

4. More often than not, you are their idol. It isn't our job to show kid's how awesome we are, but to show them how awesome God is. Never allow the kids to look to you as the ultimate example, but to always be looking to the way that Christ lived His life here on earth. If they remember you for anything, let them remember you for showing them the glory of Christ.

5. Don't rush them into a decision. We are there to plant a seed, and we may see them immediately become a follower of Christ, or it may take awhile. Galatians 6:14 says "May I never boast except in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Paul writes this because some were trying to force others into salvation, so that they might boast in their ability to bring people to Christ (Galatians 6:12-13). Never rush a child into a decision so you can bring yourself glory. Children aren't trophies to present to others to show how "holy" you are, but they are the children of God, and the decision of salvation made by anyone is meant to bring glory to God, and God alone.

6. Because of this, remember that We Are Not The Teachers. God has given us the material, but he is the ultimate teacher. He is the one that speaks through us, and without His Spirit in us, the Gospel could not be communicated clearly to anyone. Be sure to supplement anything you tell a child with proper scripture.

In no way is this the road map to being an expert on sharing the Gospel. I'm definitely not an expert. The only way I have ever been able to effectively communicate the Gospel to anyone is through God's grace. These are just my thoughts that I believe have come from God, but always remember that every child is different. Some require more attention than others, and some have the ability to understand more. Rely on God to reveal to you what each one really needs. Yet, no matter how different each child is, know that all of them need Christ. Showing them Christ through your own life is by far the most effective way to teach the Gospel to a kid.