Witnessing To Children

During our evening prayer/Bible study mid-week service last night, our pastor taught a helpful lesson for all our workers in our children's ministries, as well as the rest of the congregation. The goal for the bus ministry this Sunday for the pastor's 12th Anniversary at our church is just under 600, so there will be double the amount of children's Sunday School classes and "children's church" services to orderly handle the expected total of bus riders. There will be many workers from our church in these special ministries, including many helpers who have not worked in this area. Our pastor always does a good job of planning to handle the unexpected, so he wanted to prepare the church family for this special day. The operation of the church should be orderly, and any good leader will make planning and instruction a vital part of his leadership skills. If you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail!!! Many churches have very few visitors and even fewer converts because of poor planning and inadequate instruction of God's Word.

The focus of this special day will be evangelistic, giving a simple Gospel presentation to all who attend. Usually, it is up to the church member to witness during his normal week outside the church, bringing his converts to church for discipleship, especially following the new Christian's first command to be baptized, identifying the new believer as one who has placed their complete faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, for this special service this week, we have focused more on going out into the highways and hedges, compelling them to come to church to hear the Gospel message. Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Helps for Children's Ministry Workers - Witnessing to Children

The most important thing is to treat each child as if they were your own, and when presenting the Gospel message, take all the time that is necessary; never rush through the Gospel or deal with children in groups; focus the Gospel presentation one-on-one with each child, taking plenty of time to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of the child. Remember, the most important thing is to treat each child as if they were your own.

1. Consider the child's age, background, and knowledge.
2. Are the parent's available?
3. Do you have the child's attention?
4. Is the Holy Spirit at work in the heart of this child?
5. Use Scripture to present the Gospel message.
6. Explain the obvious.
7. Use terms the child can understand.
8. Do you feel confident that the child is grasping the truth you are presenting? There is a difference between knowing and understanding. A child may know the right answer, but does he understand the truth behind the right answer?
9. Can the child answer the following questions? What is sin? Are you a sinner? What did Jesus do for you? Why? What should you do about it?
10. Do not prompt a child when asking him about his salvation. This is the only way to know if the child is grasping the truth. Be sure that a child nearby is not prompting him either. It is always best to deal one on one with a child.
11. Never discount the decision of a child or their desire to make a decision. Should we discourage a child from making a decision? I think not. Since I do not know when the child is sincere, I must believe that he is and give him the opportunity he desires.

Matt. 19:13-14 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.