Do you see what's going on in this picture? Can you see a seed that was planted? Do you realize there was an opening to the very throne of God?
The Natural Geographic often shows photos that have captured in graphic detail various natural disasters, moments of kindness, and compassion in the mist of wars. Then awards are bestowed on the photographers.
But there's no greater honor than to capture a moment where a living soul has the opportunity to have the Holy Gospel planted in their heart.
I have directed Children's Church ministries for 24 years. I've led over 400 young boys and girls to the Lord. Workers that helped over the years had an active part in leading hundreds of children to the Savior. I'm so grateful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to lead all 5 of our children to the Lord.
Leading children to the Lord should be handled with care. Children naturally want to please. They want to please their teachers and then they want to please Jesus. If Jesus says to "Come unto me." They want to come. This is why the scripture says, "Come as little children." Children believe and trust easily.
As they get older or for those who have experienced tragedy and abuse their hearts get hard. The commands of the Lord and the appeal of the scriptures becomes easier to reject.
If your young child is eager to "be saved". It is wise for you, the parent or teacher, to exercise caution so not to give him/her a false sense of "salvation" because they are so eager to love and obey Jesus.
Many teens and adults acknowledge there may have been a time when they were preschool or elementary school age, that they remember asking Jesus into their hearts. But now they are not sure that they were really saved.
Should children not be encouraged to become "Christians"? "Christ followers"? "Believers"?
God forbid.
The scripture would NEVER give an example, of His will, by using an illustration that is wrong or unattainable. "Come as little Children..." "Anyone hurt one of these little ones...it's better that a millstone be hung around their neck and thrown in the river." The Bible is clear...Jesus truly loves children. He died just as much for a child as he did for teens and adults.
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven Mt. 18:3
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10:15
What an opportunity for an individual to be able to testify that they have served the Lord "all" their lives.
Older believers have the same "one regret". "I wished I had followed and obey God when I was younger." "I've waisted so much of my life."
Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and life.
When a child comes to you wanting to be "saved" ask them some simple questions.
1. What did you want to ask me? Or, why did you come up front?
Most children may have an answer that has absolutely nothing to do with being saved or confession of their sins. I've had many children need...
To go to the bathroom.
Thought it was time to go home.
Wanted to get out of bed.
My puppy is missing.
My mommy is sick.
My grand father died.
Pray with them about what it was that they have said they wanted. Don't put word in their mouth.
They don't need your help expressing true conviction of their sin.
By putting words in their mouth, you miss the blessing of hearing a true repented heart of a child. And you may give them a false assurance of a salvation that they weren't really ready to accept.
2. If, in their own words and without an adult implying what they wanted to ask, ...And the child really does ask or say, " I want to ask Jesus in my heart." Or " I want to be saved."
This is when you ask them two questions...
1. Have you sinned? If they say "No" than you thank them for wanting to talk to you and ask Jesus...but they need to wait. I know you may be tempted to point out facts that you know they have SINNED. LOL But conviction must come from their own understanding of their choices.
You may take a moment to pray with them...thanking God for their willingness to accept Jesus in their heart. And asking God to help them clearly understanding they are sinners and they need Him in their heart.
2. Do you what to ask Jesus in your heart now or do you want to wait til another day?
A LOT of children's workers are so eager to announce how many children "got saved"...they quickly get these children to confess something they are not ready to confess. They are coached into going through the motion of asking Jesus in their hearts.
Once again, thank the child for coming up. Pray with them for understanding. I would ask my children if they wanted ice cream? Or see their grandmother?
It wasn't until there was nothing they would rather do...that they are then ready. A couple of my children have even said, "If I don't ask Jesus in my heart I will go to hell." And "I will be the only one in the family that will not go to heaven." They were under spiritual conviction. This was good.
When a child shows strong readiness to accept Jesus in their heart, than you explain, with scripture, what they need to do. You don't need a lot of scripture. A young child, 5-6 years old, could be shown only one scripture. I use John 3:16 for any age. Some like to use/read the "Romans Road". I have a simple explanation of salvation in a previous post, Don't Put Christ Just in Your Heart....put Him in your LIFE
Then tell the child that you are going to pray first. Afterwards you want to hear them pray. Not that hearing is any of your business. But it does help you know if the child has a personal understanding of what they were asking God for.
Be sure you pray short and simple. Pray in a way that gives the child an example of how they can pray. Then let them know it's their turn. And get ready for your heart to be richly blessed as you witness your child or a child become a "child of God".
Hallelujah! Praise His Name!
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