1. Explain that sin has to be paid for. The Bible tells us that the payment for sin is death, which means being separated from God forever
in a place of punishment.
1.1. You may be uncomfortable using the word "hell" with children. They need to know about the reality of hell, but often the word is
either scary to them or is misunderstood. But we have to tell them that there is a penalty for sin. While some may disagree, it is
better to explain what hell is rather than simply to toss the word around.
1.2. You might say something like this: When you do something wrong you get punished. That punishment is like a payment for the
wrong that you did. If you didn’t do wrong, you wouldn’t get punished (i.e., have to pay for what you did wrong).
1.3. Romans 6:23 says: For the wages of sin is death. "Wages" means penalty or punishment, which is eternal separation from God
in a darkness, sadness, and suffering.
2. Then say something like, "That’s terrible, isn't it? We have a big problem! You and I just said that we are sinners, and the Bible tells
us that the price we have to pay for our sins is punishment that lasts forever. BUT, the good news is . . ."
Jesus died for our Sins (Romans 5:8)
1. Explain that Jesus died for our sins.
2. Ask them, "How did Jesus die?" If they don’t know, briefly explain the crucifixion to them, pointing out that Jesus lived a perfect life -
He never sinned (that is important; don’t forget to explain that part), yet He suffered a very painful death. He had to die that way so
that He could pay for our sins. 3. Romans 5:8 says: God demonstrated his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The word
"demonstrated" ("commendeth" in the KJV) means "showed" -- God showed His love to us in this way…"
4. Ask them, "What happened after He died?" If they aren’t sure what to say, help them by saying, "Did He stay dead?"
5. 1 Cor 15:3,4 says: …Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the
third day according to the Scriptures.
6. Now you can ask them another yes or no question: "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again on the third day?"
Trust Jesus as Your Savior (Romans 10:9-10)
1. Explain to them something like this: "Jesus died in your place and my place to take the punishment that we deserved for our sins."
2. "To receive this gift all you have to do is tell God that you are sorry for your sin (if you are really sorry) and ask Him to save you."
3. In fact, receiving Jesus is as easy as "A-B-C"!
Admit you are a sinner.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for you.
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31b).
Call upon Jesus to save you.
For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13).
4. You can encourage the child to pray their own prayer to God, but be careful not to push them. Tell them that they need to tell Jesus
on their own that they are sorry for their sin, that they believed He died and rose again for them, and that they want Him to save them.
5. You might say something like this, "You can talk to God right now, just like you are talking to me. Why don’t you pray, right now, to
God. Tell Him that you know you’re a sinner, and that you believe He sent Jesus to die for your sins. Then ask Him to save you
from your sin so that you can go to be with Him in heaven someday."
6. Then say, "If you don’t mind, can you pray out loud so that I can listen in on what you and God talk about?"
7. Make sure they understand that the prayer does not save them. They are only telling God about what they have already done:
they are already sorry for their sin, they already believe that Jesus died and rose again for them, and they are asking him to save them. 8. Some children are just too shy to construct their own prayer. If this is the case, you may carefully help them if you are as sure as you
can be that they really do understand.
9. After the child has prayed, there's one more thing you need to discuss with them -- assurance.
Talking about Assurance:
1. You can now ask them what they just did. They will usually repeat back to you what they did in the terms you have been using ("I got
saved" or "I trusted in Christ").
2. Ask them how they know that. You want them to understand that they can believe that "Because the Bible is God’s Word, and God
said so."
3. A good Scripture to use is 1 John 5:12-13: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal
life. 3.1. The Bible promises us that if we believe we will have eternal life, which means our sins are forgiven and we will not go to the
place of punishment.
4. Another good Scripture to use in dealing with children about assurance or eternal security is John 10:28-29: And I give eternal
life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them
to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
4.1. With an older child you might ask something like, "Do you know why some of the words in this Bible are red?" and then go on to
explain that the words in red are the words that Jesus actually said when he was on earth.
4.2. Jesus says, "I give them eternal life." Remind them of when you talked about -- Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4.3. Then you can ask, "Just a moment ago, when you prayed, what did Jesus give you?"
4.3.1. If they don’t say eternal life, review salvation, and make sure they understand that eternal life is part of salvation.
4.4. Then continue, "Jesus says that people who have eternal life will never perish." Explain that perish means being separated from
God forever in the place of punishment.
4.5. No only that, but Jesus says, "No man can pluck them out of my Fathers hand."
4.5.1. A good way of illustrating this is to take your watch or a ring and put it in your fist and then clench your fist and explain that
they would not be able to get it out (only do this if you really think you can hold onto it!).
4.5.2. Or you could say, "If a strong man, like Mr. Brian, had this in his fist, would you be able to get it out of there?" Remind
them that God is stronger than anyone or anything, even Satan.
4.6. Then explain, that when they were saved, it was as if God put you in the palm of his hand. There is no one stronger than God,
so no one can separate you from God’s salvation.
4.6.1. This is why if you sin you don’t have to get saved all over again, but you do have to ask forgiveness so that you can enjoy
the closeness with God that He wants you to have, and the blessings that come from that closeness (joy, peace, hope,
wisdom, etc.; see 1 John 1:9).