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Helping Children See Their Need of a Savior - M/J 06 |
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One day in my class Brayden* responded to the invitation to receive
Christ. I asked him why he needed Jesus to save him but he didn’t know.
After explaining sin again I asked Brayden if he had ever sinned. His
response of no caught me by surprise.
How can we help children understand they need a Savior?
Recognizing Sin in the World
Today children are taught there are no absolutes and they see
everything imaginable on TV. As a result many sins appear to be a
normal way of life. Cheating at school, showing disrespect and lying
are often considered acceptable.
Bring articles to class or discuss current events that reveal sin. Look
for examples of “socially-acceptable” sins instead of those almost
everyone acknowledges as wrong. When you discuss these examples focus
on the deceitfulness of the heart that is the root of each sinful act
(Jer. 17:9).
Children need to be taught a simple definition of sin such as
disobeying God or breaking God’s rules. Then talk about some of the
rules in Scripture that every child disobeys: do not lie, do not steal,
obey your mother and father, love God more than anything else. Vary the
words you use to explain sin so that children do not mindlessly repeat
a memorized definition.
Acknowledging Personal Sin
After your students learn to recognize sin they must acknowledge
themselves as sinners. Kids are used to hiding sin to avoid punishment.
Use the following object lesson to teach them no one can hide his sin
from God. Rub dirt on your hands; then ask, “If I put my hands behind
my back where you can’t see them, is the dirt gone?” After the class
responds, put on gloves and ask a similar question. Use Jeremiah 16:17
or the lesson of Achan from Joshua 7 to show that God sees sin even if
others don’t.
Kids may resist admitting any sin because they feel ashamed or
embarrassed. Use Romans 3:23 to assure them they are not the only ones
who have sinned. Don’t be afraid to share examples of sin from your
life. This will build trust and enable your students to honestly
acknowledge their sin.
Conviction of Sin
After a child admits he has sinned present God’s plan for sin.
Review the fact that God is holy—perfectly good. “Because He is holy He
cannot overlook sin. God’s punishment for sin is death. That means to
be separated from Him forever and ever in a place of punishment.
“God hates sin because He loves you and doesn’t want your life to be
ruined. He wants you to live with Him forever someday in His perfect
home called Heaven. But there cannot be even one sin in Heaven.
“How can you get rid of your sin? You cannot wash it away. You cannot
pay to have it taken away. You cannot erase it by doing good things. We
all deserve to die for our sins. So because of God’s great love for you
He sent His own, perfect Son, Jesus, to die in your place!”
Brayden continued responding to the invitation for several weeks. At
times I wondered if he was ever going to admit he was a sinner and
recognize his need for a Savior. At last he did!
As you teach what sin is, the consequence of sin and the provision of a Savior, you too will see students come to Christ.
—Carol Nolen
Instructor at
Children’s Ministries Institute
*Name changed.
See “Laying the Foundation for Salvation”, page 12 in the previous issue for help in presenting the holiness of God.
Copyright © 2006 Carol Nolen
May/June '06
Teach Kids!
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