Bringing Little Ones To Christ

I have had several conversations with people recently concerning children being saved. This is one topic that is a real burden on my heart. Perhaps it’s because I was saved when I was seven and I know what happened to me that day; it changed my life! So, out of that burden, I want to address some good questions that I’ve been asked.

They are:

• How early should you start telling a child about the cross and what Jesus did for them?
• Should you ask them if they think about asking Jesus into their hearts?
• By asking them questions are we being pushy and forcing a decision on them that they will forget or realize later in life was made only to please an adult?
• Are they old enough to really understand what salvation is all about?

I asked my daughter, Whitney to share her personal testimony with you. By reading this, you can hear from a young woman, who was saved as a little child, just what was in her heart in that early decision to accept Christ.

I was saved before I was four years old. Having grown up with a foundation of the gospel firmly set in my heart, I was aware of God’s love for me and of my need to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. I don’t remember the situation where I knelt and prayed with a child’s faith, but I know I became His child at a young age. I never doubted my salvation (I might have prayed a sinner’s prayer during Tom Farrell’s sermon on hell…during a thunderstorm….when the power went out…but who wouldn’t have?). =)

When I was in high school, I began to feel the Lord drawing me to Himself. As I studied the Scriptures, I could see that He wanted an intimate, personal relationship with me. The greatest joy of my life has been to learn what my salvation, the gift I accepted so many years ago, really means to me. The assurance of my salvation can be expressed in the song I’ve loved since I was a little girl, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!”

Now, using her testimony, let me answer the previous questions.

• How early should you start telling a child about the cross and what Jesus did for them? In the hospital nursery would not be too soon! Really, from the time my children were in the womb, I was singing songs about the cross, reading Scripture, and praying out loud. These are all great ways to prepare their heart for the message of salvation. It starts then and it should never stop. A child raised in a Christian home shouldn’t remember when it began. It should begin before they can even understand.
• Should you ask them if they’re thinking about asking Jesus in their hearts? Asking them a question is not forcing a decision – it’s asking a question. Do you ever say, “Would you like a snack?” Sure, but that’s not forcing them to eat between meals – it’s giving an offer. Satan lies to us and tries to scare us about sharing the most important Truth with our children. Give the Truth and give it in love. I talked to my girls about Jesus’ great love for them. I taught them about their sinful nature when they disobeyed. I told them my own salvation testimony. Understanding that Mommy had to be saved will make them understand that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” These things all open doors for you to lead them (not drive them) to Christ.
  

  The night Whitney got saved we weren’t doing anything spiritual – we were in our daily routine when she told me she wanted to ask Jesus to come into her heart. I questioned her to make sure she understood what that meant, and she did in her simple child-like way. Again, we’d gone over this many times in casual settings. After she prayed, I never reminded her of that day – I wanted to make sure it was true in her own heart. Though it never happened, if she had ever come and told me she needed to be saved later on, I would have simply said, “Okay, let’s take care of that.”

• Are they old enough to really understand what salvation is all about? A nearly four year-old surely doesn’t understand reconciliation or sanctification, but they can understand all that’s necessary to be saved – I’m a sinner and Jesus died to take the punishment for my sin. If I accept what He did for me, I will go to heaven some day. Just as Whitney said that it wasn’t until later on she realized that God wanted to have an intimate relationship with her and she grew to appreciate all that her salvation meant, the same will be true for any child that accepts Christ early on. They grow up spiritually after they’re saved and learn all that happened on that day.

So much more could be said, but for now let me just encourage you not to be afraid of a child making a decision too early. Tell them now. Invite them now. Their heart is soft and tender and so reachable. So what if they do have to make an assurance decision later. It is better to have them make a decision when it might seem too early rather than waiting until it’s too late.

With love and a desire to see little ones come to Christ,

P.S. Were you saved as a child? If so, how old were you when you received Christ? Do you have other questions concerning children being saved?