The answer is yes, Although this age is not the same for each child. Obviously children mature at different paces some faster than others. A verse relating to this issue is James 4:17 were we read “Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin”. It would seem from this verse that when a child truly comes into full awareness and moral understanding of “ought” and “should” he or she at that point has reached the age of accountability.
Billy Gram once said “ conversion is so simple that the
smallest child can be converted.” The great Charles
Spurgeon likewise said, “children need to be saved and may
be saved”. I believe they were right.
The Apostle Paul, speaking to young Timothy said
“from infancy you have known holy scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus” 2 Timothy 3:15 as we can see it is never too
early to share the gospel with our children. Timothy’s
mother started at an early age and continued throughout
childhood. She regularly spoke to timothy about the
scriptures.
There are several people who have become Christians at an early
age. Corrie Ten Boom at age five, Jonathan Edwards at age 7,
Billy Gram at age 6 and his wife Ruth at age 4.
The condition of salvation is simple faith in Christ Acts 16:31 So they said “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.” It is a fact that the most trusting people in the world are children. Children do not have the obstacles to faith that often come with education. It is no wonder then scripture tells us to become like children then in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven Matt 18:3 as adults, we must develop the same kind of trust children naturally have.
How can we lead our children to Christ?
There is no set formula for evangelizing your children. But the
following Six pointers may be helpful to you.
1. Read Bible stories to your children that illustrate being lost and getting saved. Children love to hear stories. Two stories are the parable of the Lost sheep Luke 15:4-7 and the parable of the lost coin Luke 15:8-10.
2. Use stories to explain humanity’s sin problem. Here is an example using a bow and arrow. If you aim at a target with a bow and arrow, sometimes you “miss the target” This is one of the meanings of the word “sin” in the New Testament. In our lives, we “miss the target” when we don’t live, as God wants us to.
3. Explain what Jesus accomplished at the cross. God loves us very much. But because each of us has “missed the target” in our lives, there is a wall or barrier between God and us. Our relationship with God has been broken. Jesus, by dying on the cross, took the punishment for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. Jesus has thereby made it possible for us to have our relationship with God restored. You can mention the “certificate of debt” mentioned in Colossians 2:14 as a means of illustrating this. (You might call it the “bad behavior list” when speaking to your child.) Back in ancient days, whenever someone was found guilty of a crime, the offender was put in jail and a bad behavior list was posted on the jail door. This paper listed all the crimes the offender was found guilty of. Upon release, after serving the prescribed time in jail, the offender was given the bad behavior list, and on it was stamped “Paid in full.” Christ took our bad behavior list and nailed it to the cross. Jesus “Paid in full” for all our sins at the cross. Because of Him, the “bad behavior list” of our whole life has been tossed into the trashcan. Our relationship with God is restored.
4. Explain that salvation is a free gift that is received through faith in Jesus. Read Ephesians 2:8,9 to your child. This verse says salvation is a gift from God. A gift can not be earned its free. You might illustrate this truth with your child’s birthday. Most kids on their birthday receive one or more gifts. But as soon as they receive the gift, they don’t go get their allowance so they can pay for it. You can pay for a gift. It’s free. All you have to do is receive it. Similarly, you don’t buy the gift of salvation. God gives it to us free. All we have to do is receive it. We “receive” this wonderful gift by placing our faith in Jesus. Placing faith in Jesus is not a complicated thing. It involves taking, Jesus at his word. Faith involves believing that Jesus was who he said he was (God). Faith also involves believing that Jesus can do what he claimed he could do – He can forgive me and come into my life.
5. Allow your child to ask plenty of questions. Children are naturally inquisitive. If you let them know they’re allowed to ask questions about what you are saying, you can count on them to do so. Don’t rush your discussion when sharing the gospel. Allow as much time as it requires.
6. Lead you child in a simple Prayer. The prayer might go something like this:
Dear Jesus:
I want to have a relationship with you and get to know you.
I know I can’t save myself, because I know I’m a
sinner.
Thank you for dying on the cross for me and taking the
punishment for my sins.
I believe You died for me, that you rose again, and I accept
your free gift of salvation.
Thank you, Jesus
Amen.
Ask your child if he really believes what he just said to God in
prayer. If he does, he is now saved. He is a Christian. Tell him
that the angels in heaven are cheering right now because he
became a Christian Luke 15:10 Likewise I say to you, there
is joy in the presence of the angles of God over one sinner who
repents.”
If you have led your child to Christ please drop us an email and tell us we would like to send them an email welcoming them to the Family of God.
Our address is: admin@rgcministries.com
Or if you prefer you can write to:
May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ always shine upon you
and yours.
Littlejohn
Founder RGC Ministries