discussing salvation

Welcome to this important step along your child's Faith Path. One of the greatest privileges you have as a parent is to help your child come to faith in Christ. Even if your child was dedicated or sprinkled as a baby, you will want to help your child understand the Gospel and make their own faith decision when he or she is old enough to do so. Like many parents, you may not quite know how or when to approach one of the most exciting, yet intimidating, moments of parenthood. Some worry they won't explain the gospel properly. They might be tempted to just "leave it to the professionals" by relying on ministers or events at church. That's understandable, but God has given you the most important and influential role when it comes to leading your child to Christ. These resources are designed to help you feel more comfortable about the process when the time comes. Let's start by watching this video for guidance and to hear from other families. Additional downloadable

resources can be found below in the Tips & Tools section.

LOADING PLAYER…

tips & tools

  • Discern Readiness: Do you best to determine when your child is mature enough to put the pieces together. Avoid the temptation to push for a decision before he or she is ready to truly grasp the gospel. Your child may intellectually understand before being socially or spiritually ready. Young children are usually bonded to their parents in such a way that they want to please and do not have a full sense of a separate self. A child needs to understand that this is a personal decision and not just an opportunity to repeat right answers.
  • Ask Questions: If you feel your child might be ready, ask a few questions to help gauge his or her level of understanding. For example, read Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Then ask questions like, "What is sin?" "How does sin affect your relationship to God?" How they respond can help you sense when your child is ready to understand two important concepts: 1) Jesus as Savior: the need for forgiveness and cleansing from sin which was made possible through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. 2) Jesus as Lord: the need to submit to God as "the boss" by making Jesus Christ the Lord of one's life.
  • appstorealtDownloadable Resources: 1) Becoming a Christian Guide.  2) Preparing to Lead Your Child to Christ Guide.  3) Faith Decision Card.


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