Children and the ABCsTo become a Christian, a person (child or adult) must believe that Jesus’ death paid the penalty for sin and that God raised Jesus from the dead, repent and turn from his sin, and confess his faith in Jesus. VBS, Sunday School, and Discipleship leaders can use an easy-to-remember three-point outline to share with children or adults. We call this outline the “ABCs of Becoming a Christian.”

A—Admit

Admit to God that you are a sinner. The first people God created chose to sin and disobey God. Ever since then, all people have chosen to sin and disobey.

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Repent, turn away from your sin.

Acts 3:19: Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

B—Believe

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin.

Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6: Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

C—Confess

Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Romans 10:9-10,13: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation

Prayer of Salvation:

If you are choosing right now to believe Jesus died for your sins and to receive new life through Him, pray a prayer similar to this as you call upon Him alone to be your Savior and Lord:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against you in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sin and only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person, and following Christ’s example, ask for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith.

Romans 6:4: Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father; so we too may walk in a new way of life.

Colossians 2:6: Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him.

Children and Conversion

Two basic questions always arise in a discussion on salvation regarding children and conversion: 1. Does God hold young children accountable for sin? 2. When and how should parents and Christian teachers approach the topic

of salvation with children?

These biblical truths have been established for all people and are true for children as well: 1. People are born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God. 2. People, therefore, are not right with God. 3. People are in need of Christ and His salvation. 4. God works through the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin.

When does a person become accountable for sin? The Baptist Faith and Message answers this question with “. . . as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation.”

Young children, while possessing a sin nature, are considered to be under God’s grace until they are capable of moral action. As the young child develops the ability to reason, he can through the conviction and work of the Holy Spirit experience both the shame and guilt that sin brings.

The timing of the stage differs among children. Every person reaches a point when his or her personal will is made the rule and source of authority in life and deliberately asserts that will against the will of God. At that point the person has become accountable for his sin. Most older children are exercising moral choice. Consequently, older children, youth, and adults have reached a point of accountability for sin.

There is, however, no designated age at which conversion happens since conversion is an individual matter. The Scriptures do not identify a specific “age of accountability.” Conversion involves the ability to understand the gospel and respond to Christ in repentance and faith. Such understanding is greatly influenced by spiritual instruction. Strong biblical foundations for faith during the childhood years should be built by Christian parents, Christian teachers, and Christian leaders as a basis for a conversion experience.

See http://www.lifeway.com/downloads/pdf/Children/levels_of_learning.pdf and “Talking with Children about Salvation” for more information.

Remember:

1. We teach the plan of salvation to children in Grades 1 and up,2. Guidelines for talking with children about salvation are provided in each leader guide

that LifeWay produces. The guidelines include using age-appropriate language and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

3. The ABCs of Becoming a Christian provides a consistent message throughout the entire curriculum. For younger grades, it is basic information. For upper grades it is a starting point for deeper Bible study.

4. LifeWay provides resources that help teachers, but ultimately, the responsibility falls on the local church to train workers and to provide immediate follow-up with new Christians. We recommend Leading a Child to Christ* for training adults who work with kids and I’m a Christian Now!* for following up with kids who make a profession of faith.

*Leading a Child to Christ Training Pack with DVD-ROM 005125104 $19.99

*Leading a Child to Christ (for adults) 005147982 $9.99 (pkg. 25)

*Leading a Friend to Christ (for older children) 005147983 $9.99 (pkg. 25)

*The ABCs of Becoming a Christian (HCSB) 005125105 $6.99 (pkg. 25)

*The ABCs of Becoming a Christian (KJV) 005125106 $6.99 (pkg. 25)