Decision Time by Tommy Sanders #d62013

My first pre-con lab at the D6 Conference was led by Tommy Sanders and was entitled, "Decision Time: How to Talk to Children About Becoming a Christian"

Christian Education Journal Article highlights research.

Connect the conversation with parent instead of pastor.

     What must a child feel to become a Christian?

     What must a child know to become a Christian?

     What must a child believe to become a Christian?

     What must child act like or do to become a Christian?

Training parents to have conversations with their children about salvation.

Foundation, Confession, Progression

Major Findings

   Pastors have a different type of influence

   Parents feel inadequate

   Everyone has influence

   Inclusion and exclusion can be motivational (Lord's Supper, Baptism)

   Use of the language of faith does not indicate understanding (save from our sins)

Gaines Dobbins in Winning the Children pg. 26 stated, "Let no mistake be made. . . "

How does one begin to lead a child to Christ?

   God's commandments should be on our hearts first

   Talk about them when you sit at home, walk along road, lie down, get up

What does the Bible teach concerning children? (Matthew 18:1-14)

   Childlike faith, trust, and dependence are required to become a Christian

   To receive a child in Jesus' name is to receive Jesus Himself

   Children are important to Jesus

   We have an awesome responsibility to lead children in the right way

   We should not look down on a child

   God's will is for children to be saved

   Children are of untold value to God.

   

There's no child sized version of the gospel.

Every child needs individual conversation not a group session.

When is a child ready? (Romans 14:12)

• Trying to understand accountability is far more important than trying to determine  specific age at which a child may be judged as lost 
• The age may vary rather widely from the age at which another child reaches accountability 
• Watering down Bible teaching about conversion so that any child can respond affirmatively to an invitation to accept Christ is a dangerous practice. 
•  Respect for the work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of the individual requires one to abandon mechanical approaches to helping children become Christians. 
•  In dealing with a child, one must respect his capacities, neither overrating nor underrating them 
• While one cannot expect a child to express his inner life in adult language or in terms of adult experiences, there is a point beyond which basic truths cannot be simplified and reduced

If they only bring it up at an invitation, it might only be for the moment.  Say to them "we will talk about it later" .  If they continue to bring it up, it shows Holy Spirit working.

Tips for Talking and Listening to Children about Conversion

     Determine the intent (motivation)

         Avoid questions that can easily be answered with "yes"

     More than knowledge

          Give them time to think.  Can you ask the question another way?

     Ask open-ended and follow-up questions

     Avoid giving more information than a child needs or asks for

           Have them write out their story.

     Don't jump to conclusions

     Speak in clear terms

     Avoid symbolic language or analogies

     Make a distinction between baptism and conversion

     Focus on the "need to" instead of the "want to"

     Be prepared to take steps

     Remain conversational

     Encourage the child to express his own ideas

     Give time for reflection

     Rely on the Bible and the Holy Spirit

     Every child deserves personal counseling

     In group settings, allow each child to respond free of pressure 

           On notecard, "where am I with God?"

  

What do you do when a child who made decision as a child comes back from camp or event as a teenager and says they made a decision for Christ?   "This is another level.  Celebrate each step of faith."

Definition of Sin-when we do things our way instead of God's way 

Children's Book, "When Can I?"