Accepting Christ’s gift of salvation is the biggest and most important decision that your child will ever have to make.  Here are some helpful tips and advice in guiding your child into a relationship with Christ.  

Talking with Children about Accepting Jesus as the Leader of their Life

There will be four types of kids: 

1. Some of children might already be Christians. 

2. Others may be ready to come to that decision.  

3. Still others may be just beginning to have questions about what becoming a Christian means.

4. While others are not yet ready to even ask questions.

The best way to meet the needs of each of these groups is by letting the Holy Spirit lead you.

Keep These Facts in Mind As You Teach

• Belief is more than head knowledge.
• Children cannot be taught into the kingdom of God although teaching helps them be prepared.
• Children probably reach a time of accountability rather than a specific age of accountability.
• A person becomes accountable when they can make responsible decisions.

Guidelines (as you talk with children about accepting Jesus as the leader of their life). 

• Children are saved in the same way adults are saved – one at a time.  Talking one-on-one with a child allows the child to express her thoughts and feelings.  There is no set time or place for a child to come to salvation.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you in this. 

• If a child expresses a desire to become a Christian, ask them what they feel.  Try and refrain from asking questions with a yes or no answer.  Ask questions that require thoughtful answers.  Examples of such questions are “Why do you want to become a Christian? How do you think a person becomes a Christian?”

• Always use language the child can understand.  Phrases adults understand are sometimes confusing to children since kids are literal thinkers.  Avoid symbolism like “giving your life to Jesus” or “lost”.  Here is a phrase we use at RockPointe.o Accepting Jesus as the leader of my life
• Answer children’s questions about becoming a Christian simply and without pushing a child to do more than they are ready to do.  Questions often indicate a child’s awareness of her need for God, but they may need time to process what they are discovering.  Prepare ahead of time by doing your own Bible Study.  Plan Scriptures you can use. 

o How do I get to heaven? (There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus.  John 14:6)
o Is anyone good enough to get to heaven?  (No one is good enough to get into heaven.  Romans 3:23)
o Do you really think Jesus can save me from all my bad stuff?  (Yes, He already has!  He died on the cross, taking our sin with Him, so that we can be in a relationship with Jesus. Romans 3:23)o Do I really sin? (Rom 3:23)
o What does it means to be a Christian? (In a relationship with Christ.  Believe that He died on the cross and rose again to take away our sins.  John 3:16)
o Why do I need to become a Christian? (We are all sinners.  Romans 6:23)

• PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. The Holy Spirit’s leadership will be more apparent to you if you have prepared yourself through prayer. 

• Use the Bible.  Together find and read Bible verses that explain how to become a Christian.  Be ready to explain what these verses mean in your own words. 

• Talk to the child about ways in which they can respond such as “Tell God you know you have sinned and are sorry”, “Ask God to forgive you for wanting your own way instead of God’s way.”

• Talk to parents about the decision their child has made.  If you are uncomfortable doing this, please ask your Site Director to do this.  • Please give the name of the child, who has accepted Jesus as their leader, to the Site Director. 

If the Child is ready to accept Christ as the Leader of their LifeAsk Child:

• Do you know that you are a sinner?  That NO Matter how good you are, you cannot work your way into heaven by being good? (Romans 3:23)

• Do you believe that God sent Jesus to die on the cross to take our sins away?  He did this so that He can be the leader of Your life and you can live FOREVER in heaven with Him. If you have answered yes to these questions, then you are a Christian.  Jesus is now the leader of your life, because Jesus says that “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.  

Here is a thank you prayer that you can say with the kids: (I would encourage kids to say their own prayer to God – OUT LOUD.  You could read this prayer to give them an idea of what they could say.  If they are very uncomfortable with praying out loud, you could pray this prayer and have them repeat after you).  

Dear God
Thank You for loving me and for sending me your Son to die for my sins.  I am sorry for my sins and want to have Jesus as the Leader of my Life.  I want to live my life for you.  
AMEN