1. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ

2. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Let’s begin our session today by listening to a very familiar hymn to many of you.
Please do these three things while you listen:
Pretend this is your first time to hear this hymn.
What major truths does God remind you about through the words of this hymn?
Ask yourself, “So what?” How does this hymn help me prepare for today’s topic of children and salvation?

3. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Have you heard of the “ABCs of Becoming a Christian”? These ABCs appear in many resources and remind us:
A—“Admit” to God that you are a sinner and that you need His forgiveness;
B—“Believe” in Jesus and that what He did on the cross was enough to provide for your forgiveness of sin;
C—“Confess” Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

4. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Let’s overview what we hope to accomplish during these brief moments together using the ABC approach:
A—Acknowledge what the Bible teaches about children and becoming a Christian.
B—Be sure that “you know that you know” Jesus as your personal Savior.
C—Commit to being prepared to share the gospel with children in age-appropriate ways.

5. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Acknowledge what the Bible teaches about children and becoming a Christian.

6. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
What does the Bible teach about children?
Where in the Bible is a specific story about a child becoming a Christian?

7. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
How can these verses help us understand the foundational truths about children and salvation?
2 Samuel 12:22-23
1 Samuel 3:7
Matthew 18:14
Romans 14:12

8. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Trying to understand accountability is far more important than trying to determine a specific age at which a child may be judged as lost.
The age at which any one child reaches accountability may vary greatly from the age at which another child reaches accountability.

9. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Watering down Bible teaching about conversion so that any child can respond affirmatively to an invitation to accept Christ is a dangerous practice.
Respect for the work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of the individual requires one to abandon mechanical approaches to helping children become Christians.

10. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Be sure that “you know that you know” Jesus as your personal Savior.

11. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Describe your spiritual journey:
How old were you when you trusted Christ as your Savior?
Where were you at that time?
Who was instrumental in leading you to Christ?
What do you remember most vividly about your conversion experience?

12. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Commit to becoming prepared to share the gospel with children in age-appropriate ways.

13. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
God’s design for a child’s spiritual growth begins at birth:
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
From birth, children can begin to learn about Jesus as their friend.
As they grow in understanding, they learn about Jesus as Savior and Lord. The process is “bits and pieces” and a “big event.”
To help children reach a point of accountability, they should learn and be able to talk about…

14. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Who is Jesus?
What did Jesus do?
Why did Jesus come to earth?
What is sin?
Why should I become a Christian?
How can I accept Jesus as my Savior?

15. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Tips on talking with children about becoming a Christian…

16. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Ask open-ended questions when talking with children about salvation.

17. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Avoid giving more information than a child asks for or needs.

18. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Remain conversational, not confrontational.

19. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Don’t jump to conclusions.

20. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Never assume that a child understands your “church talk” about becoming a Christian.

21. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Avoid symbolic language.

22. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Make the distinction between becoming a Christian, baptism, and taking the Lord’s Supper.

23. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Encourage the child to express his own ideas. Give time for the child to reflect and answer without giving him the answer. If the child can’t answer within a reasonable time, consider rephrasing the question.

24. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Every child deserves personal counseling.

25. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Involve parents with follow-up.

26. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Use a Bible translation that children are familiar with and that uses language that they will understand.

27. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Help anchor the memory in the child’s mind about where and when he became a Christian:
Create a memory box.
Prepare a “diary” page.
Record the event in the child’s Bible.

28. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Have a time of prayer.
Talk to God about your commitment to develop skills in sharing the gospel with children.

29. Additional thoughts for teachers
The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Additional thoughts for teachers

30. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
When presenting the gospel in group settings…

31. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Determine the ages to be involved.

32. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Keep it brief.

33. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Consider using a response card to lower peer pressure.

34. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Have a follow-up plan, one that allows immediate and on the spot assurance as well as a long range follow-up.

35. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ
Train counselors:
1. Make sure they have a plan to follow:
Leading a Child/Friend to Christ (Use the tear-off section from booklet)
Or the tract, ABCs of Becoming a Christian
2. Make sure they talk about assurance.

36. The ABCs of Leading a Child to Christ