how to explain salvation to a teenager

Being born of the spirit can happen at any time no matter how old or young. Jesus Gives: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. God Rules: The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. Ephesians 2:4-6 makes clear that God in His mercy raises us from death to life (we are "born again," John 3) and our response to this regeneration is faith. As parents, we often make things harder than they need to be. +?|~FE`bf~0'Z5~x[&3aO}UZJb"jS]{ lYH,gm+ m`wXErNp}7 H*K Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die, shedding His own blood on the cross in my place so that I could receive His righteousness by faith. WebThe ABCs of Salvation explain the way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ in three simple easy to remember steps. My hearts plea is for both of them to see the beauty of and humbly accept the gracious gift of salvation theyve been offered and live a life that will honor their Maker. WebHeres one way to explain salvation in a way kids can understand: God loves you! Your email address will not be published. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a13685e9acbbc099201f72aa831005b4" );document.getElementById("b1f079babf").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there! We are all sinners . (This is one of my all-time favorite books that answers lifes tough questions and gives a plethora of evidence for the existence of God and reliability of the Bible if youre on the hunt for a solid resource. Most churches have a two-adult rule: never be alone with a child behind a closed door. The ABCs of Becoming a Christian is a simple tool that helps us remember how to respond when prompted by the Holy Spirit to the gift Jesus offers. A physical Bible can be marked, bookmarked, and underlinedand then given to the child as a gift. Gods Word, the Bible, clearly states that all havesinned (done things that are wrong and against God -Romans 3:23). The Birthday Gift. Your email address will not be published. Once he grasps this much, you can move on to sharing the wonderful news of the gospel! endobj Friend, explaining the gospel to a child doesnt need to be a thought provoking presentation. If your child is a teenager, it might be harder to lead him to Jesus. This can be a nonconfrontational way to initiate conversation. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is the one that convicts us of our sin. The Holy Spirit does his work of conviction. However, there will come a point when your child truly understands and needs to make that decision. 2:8), faith can be understood in some sense as the entrance into God's family. 7 Tips for Keeping Your Cool When Your Kids Misbehave. NFL, MLB Players Answer: Why Is Baptism Important? You should also seek out a church (a group of other believers in Jesus Christ) that believes and teaches the unchangeable Word of God. Helped them practice saying it? Object Lessons to Teach Kids About Salvation I joined the team to help with partnerships and community-building. Your life will be forever changed as you begin a new journey of faith in Him, surrendered to His Lordship. Because of that, we get to be in relationship with God where he helps us to live out the plan he has for our lives and we get to live in heaven with him some day. None of us knows how long we have on this earth. We must confess our sins 1 John 1:9 and confess (or proclaim) our faith (belief) in the death, burial and resurrection of Gods son, Jesus Christ. True salvation will result in spiritual fruit or growth in their life. Eglash R. Archaeologists find possible site of Jesuss trial in Jerusalem. 1. Immediately I felt discouraged and bruised by my failure. When Jesus was on the cross, He took the full wrath of God upon Himself . Sometimes it can help our children if they have a visual aid to help them understand salvation. Because He died in our place, we can go to heaven. Mama Reflections is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. And then suddenly, the conversation was over, we were saying goodbye, and I was walking out of the coffee shop wondering, what just happened? By having a conversation you can determine what their true desire is. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. He understood that sin was a problem and he was aware that his own sin was real. Im glad you found this helpful in pointing your daughter toward Christ. To confess means to admit were sinners. Doubtful. Write the date of their salvation decision in the front, along with their name, and dog-ear the pages with the scriptures highlighted. Most of those questions are somewhere between cute (Have you met my imaginary friend?) and concerning (Did my mommy pack an extra pair of underwear for me?). Encourage your children to ask away and never be ashamed of any questions they may have. Our family has genuinely enjoyed following young Christian on his journey to the Celestial City, and I believe that yours would too. This plan should include helping the child engage with the Bible and be a part of a Bible-believing church. Please confirm your email address with the email that was just sent. This retelling for children of John Bunyans classic allegory truly does the original justice, and speaks volumes to children in a way that they can comprehend. Saving faith produces a forever changed life. . Since scripture teaches that we are justified by faith (Eph. However, salvation is simple and we only need a . When I met up with McKenzie, I hadnt prepared with prayer. Your journey as a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ has just begun. We overthink so many things! Biblical faith changes one's allegiance: A book written by Matthew W. Bates entitled Salvation by Allegiance Alone argues that Biblical faith can be best defined as allegiance. If people believe that works can save, they basically say Christs For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Anewborn baby needs nourishment and care to grow, so too you will need Gods Word, the Bible, to learn and grow in your faith. But all people are eternally separated from God because of sin and can do nothing to restore their relationship with God. Learn more about the TrainedUp library. If a loved one dies, be vocal about Jesus' role as comforter in the midst of sadness. Our children need to understand that at the core of their heart is a sin nature that separates them from a holy God. The salvation message is the most important thing that you need to teach your child since Jesus is the only way to heaven. Here are a few tips to consider when you explain salvation to a child. New King James Version, Copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. No matter their age we can easily engage in conversation by asking them questions to help shift their thoughts to what is of greatest importance. This book clearly describes our sin nature, as well as our enemys tactics, temptations and difficulties we are likely to experience, the grace of our Savior, and forgiveness of our Father. I heard a pastor once say, "Faith is not just believing in God; faith is believing God.". Keeping that open line of communication, especially in this area, is vital to maintaining a strong relationship with them. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.. Jaquelle Crowe (BA, Thomas Edison State University) is a young writer from eastern Canada. We need to know what we believe and why which means that we need to be faithfully studying our Bible, outside evidence, and the deceptions of the culture in order to be able to provide those answers to our children and others. TrainedUp has video training on baptism and how to explain it. He made you and knows everything about you. This is the power behind evangelism. In fact Jesus Himself mentions the importance of child-like faith on more than one occasion. As previously mentioned, make sure your child understands the gospel message and the choice to choose Jesus. Having your child say a prayer will not save them. Before teens can actually explain the gospel, they must first know it themselves. Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. But containing ourselves in our own little circle is no way to reach out with the gospel. WebThe word Salvation has become corrupted, as various doctrines of various beliefs defined it differently. He rose again and now lives back in heaven. I know that nothing I do will get me into heaven. Reading Gods law will help open your childs eyes to their own sinfulness. To take a break from running around like the energizer bunny on occasion. The important element is how Jesus changed your life. Despite the necessary consequences of our sin, Jesus died for us so we could be with God. 5;\aBc*X_?TlBZN*xO6Ad qi? It is important to remember that the Holy Forby graceyou have been savedthrough faith, and that not of yourselves; it is thegiftof God,not of works, lest anyone should boast. Reading books that clearly share the gospel message may be quite helpful for children. I began to realize how many unique opportunities and practical ways teens can share the gospel. Keep praying for your child, keep speaking Gods truth into their heart, keep following Jesus yourself, and then rest in knowing that Gods love for them is even greater than your own. GwU},jQE_ Fl,7k`z^qKOP >.o-f.XO%h1l&{,lVW]E.0rK,eVlb>K)ZiLO+AZ"$2k>J`Dh ?8!BrmB!lRW]B9|!~$HBqMVe+|6-$sQX`q o)&Krx}%Ep} .TYSg:Rp As a mother of six, Ive been in your shoes. Luke 15:10NKJV. 2 0 obj Even if the opportunity dropped right into their lap, many teens have no idea how to explain the message of the cross. All posts are copyrighted by Aimee of Mama Reflections, Resources for Teaching Kids about Salvation, characteristics of a good mother according to the Bible, How to Raise a Grateful Child: Top 9 Tips, 25 Excellent Benefits of Reading the Bible Daily, 21 Comforting Bible Verses for Condolence for the Loss of a Child, Taming the Toy Monster: How to Declutter Toys. 4 0 obj This is the turning point in the gospel story. God did His part, sending His one and only Son to die in our place. Thank you for sharing this it helps more than you know. All rights reserved worldwide. A spiritual development plan is a vital part of each childs walk with Christ. This post contains affiliate links. Read Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; and Colossians 1:16-17. Use our pre-made childrens ministry training videos or record your own. Since salvation in Jesus is so critical to our eternal future as well as our current lives, Bible teachers must make salvation an important part of their teaching. Obviously all lessons will not solely center on salvation, but teachers do need to share Gods plan of salvation at times. I felt embarrassed. Youre helping the child discover truth. In Romans 10, Paul uses salvation or saved in verses 1, 9, 10, and 13. Faith is not a recitation of the "Sinners Prayer": I believe the sinners prayer can be a helpful tool to lead your child to confess their sin and at the same time express personal trust in the Lord. When teaching your teenager about salvation avoid using the word acceptance and embrace the word allegiance. As parents, we often make things harder than they need to be. Thank you! John 1:29/Galatians 3:13/Romans 3:25. How to Explain Salvation to a Child. I can accept things I don't trust. Well, as a whole our society tends to value people based upon measurable standards and outward appearances- talent, success, intellect, wealth, and beauty. I know that Ive sinned against You. As a mom there are a multitude of things that I desire for my children. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. It is more importantly a conversation where we engage with one another, ask questions, and share about the incredible forgiveness and hope were offered (that we come nowhere near deserving) in the amazing work and person of Jesus. 2. Required fields are marked *. I receive this free gift of salvation and choose to follow You with my life. Jesus came to make it possible for all kinds of people, including angry parents, to be changed into people who yield their expectations to God in service to others, specifically their children. The video below features wisdom from Larry Moyer, author of 21 Things God Never Said: Correcting Our Misconceptions About Evangelism. /TT1 8 0 R /TT4 11 0 R >> /XObject << /Im1 12 0 R /Im2 14 0 R >> >> I am SO glad I found this. I think we often downplay the amount of influence we hold over our children. Nope. Do We Really Understand What It Means That Jesus Is Our Messiah? Your child does not need to wait until he is an adult to trust in Jesus but can understand even while young. God then brought about multiple painful circumstances in her life that showed her that she needed Jesus to be her hiding place, and that salvation could only come through him. www.zondervan.com, Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Member Dashboard Login. Remember that even Jesus used parables to help further the understanding of the crowds he was teaching. And this is His commandment: that we shouldbelieve on the Name of His Son JesusChrist and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Remember, the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith. Explaining Children dont have those language tools, so speak clearly and in concrete terms. But there is absolutely nothing greater than my desire to see them come to a saving faith in Christ. Please be careful to never judge your childrens questions or despair of their doubts. % The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. WebWe try to check others' faith statements and make sure they do profess Jesus Christ as God's Son and salvation is found only in Him. Beloved author Dr. R.C. We Sinned: Since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God (Romans 3:23). Our thoughts, speech, emotions, will, decisions, reactions, etc. Who do we need to tell that were sinners? The Bible describes faith in Hebrews 11:1 as, "the assurance of things hoped for,[and] the conviction of things not seen." xWU0@ Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Mark 10:15NKJV A child simply puts their trust (faith) in the fathers strong arms. From the moment Adam and Eve first ate the forbidden fruit mankind has continually repeated the cycle of rebellion against God. xZ[s~_qOd$~h@2Ddfz% Rp^.H_(2T56Zz>==5_QQDn)+O=UU?m5}A~LUq=b fqbjTUsJu-|3)Zv/hFY*z?3rLxX>]vFTo9i$cX)h,TI/Ri . Teach your teenager that Biblical faith is not just Written by a teenager for teenagers, This Changes Everything is a deeply theological yet practical and accessible book on how the gospel radically transforms every aspect of the teen years. Read 1 John 1:9. J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was an English evangelical Anglican bishop during the 19th century gifted in his ability to teach and preach Gods Word. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Caroline Newheiser. There you find support and encouragement as your faith grows. Jesus himself said clearly. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. . Are there any particular words to avoid that fall short of a true explanation of faith? Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17NKJV To repent means change ones mind or to turnto go in another direction. As Moyer says, He didnt make the down payment; he made the full payment.. Your family history and work experience, along with your personality and internal wiring, impact how you think about and do leadership today. Plus, it will help teens prepare to reach out to their peers. It is tough to admit that we are wrong. Get them confident in their ability to proclaim it first. Id love to hear them in the comments below. This can result in a false sense of security regarding salvation and we need to be careful to guard against taking the reins of their faith. The truth is that the gospel doesnt need convincing. Remember that this is a discussion, not a presentation. A true dependence The Washington Post. How do they lead their children to faith in Christ? For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10NKJV. Hollowell earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Arts in elementary education from Alcorn State University. With three circles, you can explain why Christs death alone is sufficient. What does the Bible say about the role of a mother? Reading the Bible, like eating a meal, isnt only for individual consumption. Push your teens to get outside their comfort zone and build relationships with the outcast, lonely, weird, and uncool. These are often the people most receptive to and eager for the hope of the gospel. When our child truly trusts in Jesus for his salvation, he or she will begin to change from the inside out. She currently teaches fourth grade reading/language and social studies. How To Explain Salvation To A Child: 6 Tips For Sharing Ravi Zacharias Answers: Does Suicide Send You to Hell? Is Your Leadership Style Helping or Hurting You. This most likely will be a process, especially if you are talking about God, Jesus, the way to heaven, etc. He explains how you can draw three circles and help lead someone to Christ. The words just werent coming out. Lewis takes children on quite the adventure through the eyes of four siblings in the land of Narnia. Do you know what sin is? Somewhere on that spectrum are spiritual questions. We have what we need to explain these truths to our children. See what weve been working on to make your church training even better, including: Scott is the founder of ServeHQ and has over a decade of experience as an Executive Pastor, Worship Pastor, and College Pastor. Understand that the Bible teaches about children and salvation. As a result, we have developed a baptism study that can be used with older kids and teens (frankly our reviewers believe adults could use it comfortably too). The beauty of the gospel is that it can reach the most wretched sinners, but is equally accessible to a young child. Hopefully, weve all heard of Jesus before. 16 Life-Changing Scriptures to Pray Over Your Children. Don't overtly preach and recite Bible verses if they have been disobedient. Teensespecially visual learnerswill appreciate this practical explanation of how Jesus saves us. If people believe that works can save, they basically say Christs death was unnecessary. Lets look at a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to share the gospel with children. While the gospel does bring many wonderful present blessings, its main message is about being eternally saved or lost. Children have a huge capacity for learning, but giving them more than they need during a gospel conversation can muddy the waters and make focus difficult. Karen Hollowell has been teaching since 1994. Dont try and complicate the message by using words kids wont understand. When your child is ready to trust in Jesus for salvation, you may want to pray with him. 6 0 obj What does God do with our sins. If we take a step back and look at the Bible as a whole we see a single strand woven throughout all of its pages: Fallen people in desperate need of a Redeemer. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000. Stop sign:We are all sinners, doing things that God wants us to stop doing. As Moyer says, He didnt make the down payment; he made the full payment.. The only opportunity we are guaranteed to have is right now! The change in action resulting from a repentant heart is a turn from living a life of gratifying-self to living a life glorifying God. Scripture teaches and all people who are saved are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. As we emerge from this pandemic, we have a fresh opportunity to embrace essential relationships, not just returning to our pre-pandemic status-quo, but moving forward into something even better. Trent Rosemanis the Next Generation Pastor at First Baptist Church Tampa, FL. Preparation for your family gathering will involve shopping, decorating, and meal planning. Salvation is for kids and adults. WebExplain that the plan of salvation can be divided into three parts: premortal life, mortal life, and life after death. Before diving into the meat of the conversation, start with open questions about what they know, where they learned, and why theyre curious about the gospel now. (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:4; John 3:16). Far fewer teachings address the Holy Spirit, who, according to Scripture, would come to the disciples after Jesus left the earth (Luke 24:49). Your job as a Christian parent is to teach your children about God, the Bible, Jesus, and about His work throughout history. Face-to-face evangelism can be scary for teens, which is why technology is a significant blessing it can provoke us to share the gospel more. I thank You that He didnt stay dead, but rose again on the third day according to Your plan! Salvation is about God becoming man and dying our death and rising to new lifeand sending the Holy Better Bible Teachers God is holy and just. The Gospel message did not only require those of faith to seek Jesus as Savior of their soul but also submission to Jesus as Lord of their life. These cookies do not store any personal information. Youre not giving a speech and youre not teaching a lesson. Obviously all Through His gracious act we may be forgiven and discover lasting joy. A few things to set the stage before we get started. They ask if dinosaurs are in the Bible or if Jesus could fly. The very reason that He sent His perfect sinless Son to the world was for the sole purpose of dying the death that we deserve. Once your child understands that the way of salvation is through Jesus alone, he or she has a choice to make. Children will easily grasp the symbolism which may lead to some light bulb moments as they connect the dots of this make believe story to the richness and beauty of the gospel. We may be quick to defend our childrens innocence, but it doesnt take much to expose our childrens (and our) selfish motives right from the start. They also ask deeply significant questions. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. Its not enough to only share that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we can go to heaven. And, thats why Jesus was able to do the coolest thing of all for us. Salvation We Respond: We can respond to Jesus. Acceptance is a very passive term, while the Scriptures define faithas a very active term. : Hope For The Parent of A Strong Willed Child, Random Acts of Kindness: 12 Fun Ideas For Families, Resting In Jesus In The Midst of Lifes Struggles. Worldly sorrow is more like the regret of a criminal whos just been caught whereas godly sorrow is the deep remorse or conviction that produces a change in direction. God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. We cant let the distractions of this world keep us from this. The Bible you used to read each scripture passage makes a great commemorative gift. But it will also involve preparing your heart for how to achieve deeper conversations at your family gathering. Train your childrens ministry volunteers with TrainedUp. Teenagers who are plugged into a healthy church can open doors for evangelism by simply talking to peers about their community. Do you know why Jesus can do all that cool stuff? For I am not ashamed of thegospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (If youre looking for some specific questions to begin asking your children you may want to check out Natasha Crains Keeping Your Kids on Gods Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith.). WebNeither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Misuse of Gods name pervades our society in conversation, social media, literature, television, video games and cinema. . A true dependence upon Jesus to save us cant help but result in a changed heart and a changed life. Salvation is about far more than a judge acquitting a defendant. How to Talk to Your Kids About Salvation - YouTube A biblical definition of sin= an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law (Oxford Languages Dictionary). Learn more. The first step toward repentance is true sorrow for what weve done wrong. Before teens can actually explain the gospel, they must first know it themselves. Learn more or donate today at. And in order for this to happen, all you have to do is believe in Jesus and accept His gift of eternal life. << /Length 13 0 R /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 405 /Height 1440 /Interpolate How about how to handle. It seems obvious, but its important. My daughter (6) has been asking a lot of questions in regards to being saved. He has offered us a free giftsalvation, the forgiveness of sin, eternal life with Him in heaven. Share your conversion experience. #cw# [bpr8NLfgi" &$#Z7Uz`l%g;"(9/vCQe|iUED;XHt3oA$:43cwfKP!u-~OYqQ RZs>$a5 ;UCN ~sL(F)-cNrEE1}@LDihwRfUQw2?M$c? Sharing the gospel story in the lobby between services is a bad place. 12 0 obj Here are five object lessons you can use to teach kids about salvation. Isnt that awesome? The Holy Spirit had made clear to them that Jesus Christ, whom they killed, was the Messiah, the son of God.
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