Kids don’t come with an instruction manual. That means fatherhood is a never-ending learning experience. But while we learn to do all kinds of things as dads, the most important thing is learning how to explain salvation to a child.
After all, this skill carries eternal implications. We can instill some great things in the lives of our kids, but sharing the gospel—leading our kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus—is our greatest privilege. It’s also our greatest responsibility.
What holds us back?
Three things can keep us from learning how to explain salvation to a child. The first is busyness. We get so wrapped up in the hectic nature of our world that we really don’t take the time to think through how to share the gospel with our kids. We just assume the time will magically happen, and we miss so many great opportunities to tell them about Jesus.
The second problem is fear. Honestly, fear keeps us from doing a lot of things in life. But, as noted above, learning how to explain salvation to a child is our greatest privilege and responsibility. We have to figure it out. The enemy loves using fear against us. But God can give us the courage and wisdom we need to share the gospel with our kids in a meaningful way.
Another issue is delegating spiritual stuff to so-called “experts.” We think Sunday school teachers have more experience or children’s ministers get paid to share the gospel with kids. However, Scripture paints a much different picture. For example, part of the ancient Passover celebration included fathers teaching their kids about God’s mighty works (Exodus 12:24-28). Later, Moses challenged parents to regularly explain God’s character to their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9,20-25).
5 tips for explaining salvation to a child:
From the beginning, God intended for parents to be their children’s primary spiritual mentors. And that includes learning how to share the gospel with them. So, here are five tips that will help you know how to explain salvation to a child.
1. Rely on the Holy Spirit: Whether it’s an adult or a child, the Holy Spirit is the only One who can produce conviction and a desire to follow Christ as Savior. So lean into His wisdom and His direction. He will guide you, and He will guide your child.
Of course, it’s tempting to try to do the Spirit’s job for Him. We want to talk our kids into believing that they have sinned and need a Savior. But that leads to manipulation, not salvation. If you want to lead your children to Christ, regularly share the truth as best as you can and keep praying for the Spirit to move.
2. Ask Questions: Specifically, ask open-ended questions that let kids express their thoughts. Yes/No questions don’t lead kids to reflect on what they believe, while open-ended questions (like “Why do you think God loves us?” or “What are some examples of sin?”) create space for conversations, rather than mini-sermons.
Along with this, pay attention to the questions your child is asking. As you learn how to explain salvation to a child, their questions reveal their openness to hearing more about the gospel. Your child’s spiritual questions provide an open door.
3. Use Stories: Children are concrete thinkers, so a great way to share the gospel with your kids is to tell a story. You could use a biblical story that they already know, like the garden of Eden or Jesus dying on the cross. You also could share your own story, your personal testimony. Tell them how you recognized your need for the Savior and what your life has been like since you made that decision.
Illustrations and word pictures also are great tools for explaining salvation to a child. While they aren’t technically stories, they still give kids mental hooks on which they can hang their developing ideas about sin and the Savior.
4. Connect the Gospel to God’s Word: As you learn how to explain salvation to a child, keep your conversation grounded in Scripture. The Bible is God’s revelation to us, and it’s the only way we know about our sin problem and the Savior’s solution. Your child needs to understand that what you’re sharing actually comes from the pages of God’s Word.
Focus on passages that highlight Jesus’s death and resurrection (like 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Let them read verses like John 3:16, Acts 16:31, and Romans 10:9-10 straight from the Bible. As God’s Word speaks, your child’s heart will be more inclined to respond.
5. Be Patient: Many kids don’t respond to Jesus the first time you share the gospel with them. They may need time to process the questions and answers swirling in their heads. That’s all right. The Spirit can still work with a “not yet.”
If that’s where you are, continue to be available to your child. More important, continue exposing them to the truth of the gospel. Use teachable moments that come along unexpectedly and intentional moments where you determine to explain salvation to your child. Find ways to share the story of Jesus at different times and different ways.
The Bottom Line
When your child does pray to trust Christ as Savior, celebrate! Provide assurance from Scripture that Jesus has done what He promised to do, even if they really don’t “feel” any different. And let them know that, as humans, even the best of us sin again, even after trusting in Jesus. Share verses like 1 John 1:9 so they will know what to do when they mess up from time to time.
Finally, give your children practical ways that they can grow in their new relationship with Jesus. Talk about reading the Bible to learn more about God and praying so they can share their hearts with Him. Emphasize the importance of going to church and surrounding themselves with solid friends outside your congregation.
As a man of God, your job doesn’t end when your son or daughter becomes a believer. In many ways, it’s only just begun!
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