Speaking The Gospel To Your Children For The Conversion

We are finally to the part where where many will jump to in their pursuit to begin to Disciple their children.

To share the Gospel with our children is a worthy thought and desire, but let us not forget everything we have spoken bout up until this point, all the things that will set up the proclamation of the Gospel to our children…

Realizing that the Great Commission is our North Star as a family.

Understanding that the main disciple maker of your child is you! The Myth’s that go along with that and the truths we should put on there.

We spoke about the younger years (learning) and the older years (convincing), and the challenges that there are as we look toward this landscape. And the powerful influences in their lives in both parts of their lives.

Disciple-Making Parents focus on their own walks first.

Disciple Making Parents live the Gospel at home

Disciple-Making Parents actively Connect their to Godly examples.

Disciple Making Parents Disciple their children with eternity in mind. (Discipline)

We do all of this to set up the foundation for our children to one day come to a realization that they need Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

And so, how do we speak this Gospel to our children? How can we become proficient at this as a regular practice?

Disciple-Making Parents speak the Gospel for their children’s conversion.

The Most Important Task

The most important task you have as a parent is to make sure your children are hearing the gospel in a loving and appealing manner. Your child’s eternity depends on whether the gospel is presented and embraced so that it changes their life.

To Timothy, the Scriptures were presented in a way that led him to salvation…

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Less than perfect home (Lois & Eunice).

He heard the true Gospel consistently.

What Child Is This?

In this pursuit, we must remind ourselves of our child’s NEED for the Gospel.

We must understand their true state.

The Bible makes it clear that our little bundle of joy, the light of our lives, is both made in the image of God and filled with a rebellious heart.

Our children are given the special advantage of being born into a family that knows God and calls Him by His name.

BUT, they are also born with a heart that is bent toward evil.

They are a sinner by birth and by choice.

Scripture says that we are born dead in our trespasses and sins, and that we are by nature under God’s wrath.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

A Heart that loves darkness and hates the light.

John 3:19–20 ESV

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

A heart that is inclined to evil from childhood

Genesis 8:21 ESV

21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

On the road to destruction and hell

Matthew 7:13 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

J.C. Ryle says.

The fairest child, who has entered life this year and become the sunbeam of a family, is not, as his mother perhaps fondly calls him, a little “angel”, or little “innocent,” but a little “sinner.” Alas! As the infant boy or girl lies smiling and crowning in it’s cradle, that little creature carries in it’s heart the seed of every kind of wickedness! Only watch it carefully, as it grows in stature and it’s mind develops, and you will soon detect in it an incessant tendency to do that which is bad, and a backwardness to that which is good… The first cause of all sin lies in the natural corruption of the boy’s own heart, and not in the public schools.

Every single one of us is born with an ineffective spiritual heart. In need of a radical change. In need ultimately of a radical resurrection.

Let us not fall into this trap of thinking that my child first and foremost receives this wretchedness from the world around them. No, no, no, It comes from the deepest part of their inner man.

My Child Needs a Conversion

What our children need, ultimately, is a conversion.

Over the last ten years or so, I think much of the church world has began to get out of this mold. But, there for a good while, there was this tendency for parents to think that all they needed to do is to “have my child as Jesus into their heart”.

Once they do this, everything will be good. They can then go through church membership, they can then go through the confirmation class, catechism or foundations class.

We can push them to baptism so that they can look to that when going gets rough. AND THEN… they’ll be all set!

THE BIBLE THOUGH, teaches that there must be a NEW HEART GIVEN.

A new heart that will reveal itself in a new life oriented toward God and not be bent away from God.

This new heart is radically different.

So much so that we call this a conversion.

“CONVERSION: is an outward experience of the inner regeneration of God’s Spirit.”

We don’t want as parents, children who are just giving away a perfume of moral behavior modification that is just masking the decay that is going on in the inside.

We must realize, that our children need to be resurrected on the INSIDE. THE INNER MAN. THE SOUL. It needs regeneration.

Your Child Can Believe!

NOW, sometimes it can be hard for us parents looking at a child to understand this need for a conversion on the inner man.

They’re all sweet and often times VERY INNOCENT. Like children should be!

…Children usually have a tenderness toward God that adults don’t necessarily have.

… Their hearts are more sensitive to the things of God.

Most assuredly, know that your child CAN BELIEVE!

Matthew 18:6 ESV

6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mark 10:14 ESV

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Spurgeon on this subject says,

Capacity for believing lies more in the child than in the man. We grow less rather than more capable of faith: every year brings the unregenerate mind further away from God, and makes it less capable of receiving the things of God.

In a 2015 survey, the National Association of Evangelicals found that 63 percent of Christians accepted Jesus Christ between the ages of 4 and 14.

These children, because of a lack of hardened pursuit of sin have a tenderness toward the things of God that we must capitalize on.

Now, as we pursue this regeneration with our children, the difference in conversion may not be as noticeable. (because of this lack of years of pursuing sin like adults).

Let us take care that we are clear about our message.

Gospel Assumed

Amongst American families, it happens so often where the Gospel is assumed.

We will often think that the Gospel is being shared in the church, in my child’s Sunday School class, in the youth ministry (which it should be), but we assume this is happening and then we parents try to focus on other things.

If you want the Gospel to be lost within one generation… assume the Gospel.

D.A. Carson said,

When we assume the Gospel, we are one generation away from denying it.

We must not assume this.

Not with our children.

And not with ourselves.

Paul reminded the believers in the towns in which he planted churches to remind themselves of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1–3 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

Galatians 1:6–7 ESV

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Explaining The Gospel

Let us make sure that we get this right…

there are several different ways of sharing the Gospel. But the main points remain the same throughout all

God made us, and we are accountable to Him.

2. Because we have sinned, we have offended God, will one day be judged by God and there are eternal consequences in our sin and judgment. (Eternally separated from God)

3. God has provided the solution by sending His Son to die in our place to save us from the punishment of sin.

4. I can be included in this salvation by truly repenting of my sins and trusting Jesus as my substitute.

GOD>MAN>JESUS>RESPONSE

(This reminds me also of Three circles… (revolves around the brokenness of humanity)

G.O.S.P.E.L

God: created us to be with Him (Gen. 1-2)

Our : Sins separate us from Him (Gen. 3)

Sins: cannot be removed by good deeds (Is. 64:6)

Paying: the price for sin, Jesus dies and rose again. (John 19:30)

Everyone: who trust in Him alone has eternal life (1 John 5:11-13)

Life: with Jesus starts now and last forever (John 10:10)

IN WHATEVER WAY YOU USE… PUT THIS ON REPEAT.

Share in all the time!

Jesus Substitutionary Death

Bettis highlights in the book a few things that can be overlooked in our sharing of the Gospel…

Substitutionary death of Jesus.

Jesus’ Substitutionary Atonement (Figure 2)

Luke 23:32–43 (ESV)

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

When the thief cried out to Jesus, his sins were placed on Jesus, then the righteousness of Jesus came on him.

The other thief, died in his sins and is in hell today.

Jesus became on sinners substitute payment for crying out.

Repentance And Faith

Notice that a proper response to Jesus involves repenting and believing.

It is not just asking Jesus into my heart.

Bible does use language like receive

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Colossians 2:6 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

REPENTANCE:

Matthew 3:2 ESV

2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 3:3 ESV

3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:25 ESV

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

It seems a better message for us to ask our children is, “Do you want to turn from your sins and ask Jesus to be your Savior and King?

Actual words aren’t as important as the heart attitude.

The thief on the cross uttered a cry of repentance and faith. , Jesus received Him because of it!

May we pray for TRUE PRAYER’S OF REPENTANCE for our children! And whatever that may sound like, will definitely be different for many.

One-Time and Ongoing

Now, should we be fine with a one time sharing, receiving and just leave the Gospel alone after this? NO! Absolutely not.

The one time repentance and faith must be followed by an ongoing walk with God that results in a regular repentance and faith.

Tedd Tripp helps us here,

Let’s rethink this matter of getting your children saved. Perhaps one of the problems with this perspective is that it looks for a major spiritual event of salvation and misses the spiritual process of nurturing your children. It is your task to faithfully teach them the ways of God. It is the Holy Spirit’s task to work through the Word of God to change their hearts…

You must always hold out to your children both their need of Christ’ invasive redemptive work and their obligation to repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are not rites of initiation to Christianity. Repentance and faith are the way to relate to God. Repentance and faith are not acts performed one time to become a Christian. They are attitudes of heart toward myself and sin. Faith is not just the way to get saved, it is the lifeline of Christian living.

The Christian life requires a lifetime of repentance and faith. We have a daily, life-long need of the Gospel.

We are saved, and being saved! (We never outgrow our need for the gospel.

Patient, Confident Alertness

Our goals as parents is to have a PATIENT, CONFIDENT, ALERTNESS.

We do our part in speaking the Gospel: placing our children into a consistent spot to hear the gospel and see if played out. (Patience.)

All the while understanding that it’s God that ultimately does the work in the heart of our children. Does the work of conviction.

Waiting in an alert manner, praying and looking for the Spirit to work. God is sovereign, but we must be faithful.

…God’s natural way is to work in the children of of His people.

We do not want to to be the parents who manipulate their children, nor do we want to be parents who allow a repeated disinterest from our children to discourage us so much so to where we lose heart.

Let us have this patience in doing our job as parents, having faith in the process God has given us.

All the while having this confident alertness for the Holy Spirit to do a work in their heart. When you see that, help guide your child through that. And continue to remind them of the Gospel even after they have made a profession of faith.

Afterwards: Rejoicing and Watchful

AND WHEN THIS DECISION DOES COME>>>> PRAISE GOD!

FEED IT, WATER IT, DON’T DISCREDIT IT!

Luke 15:7 (ESV)

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Celebrate this decision with your child. Rejoice with them as the parent.

Also, take into consideration this quote from George Whitefield:

Now I wait a little, and see if people bring forth fruit; for there are so many blossoms which March winds blow away that I cannot believe they are converts until I see fruit brought forth.

OUR DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY IS NOT FINISHED WITH A PROFESSION OF FAITH.

———————————————————————————————

The evidence that someone has genuinely repented of their sin and believed in Christ is the same in a child as it is in an adult - spiritual transformation.

According to scripture, true believers

Follow Christ

John 10:27 CSB

27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

Confess their sins

1 John 1:9 CSB

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Obey God’s Commands

1 John 2:3 CSB

3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands.

John 15:14 CSB

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Do the will of God

Matthew 12:50 CSB

50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Abide in God’s Word

John 8:31 CSB

31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.

Keep God’s Word

John 17:6 CSB

6 “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Do good works

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Now, as any adult believer… will a child be near perfect on these works… no!

But, you know a tree by it’s fruit.

A Short Word On Baptism

Baptism most certainly does not save us… as our thief on the cross demonstrates.

Though, it is an important command by our Savior. Here at CHBC we hold to believers baptism, this sign that is meant to be significant and special.

I’m not sure where I stand with this, but Bettis in the book says that his church holds to the view that the decision for a child to be baptized is their first adult decision. (I can understand what he’s getting at with this.)

This is a big decision. And should be seen as a big, heavy decision. Not one that should be decided on in a fly.

I love his suggestions in thinking through if our children is ready for baptism.

Regeneration: Rely on your child’s testimony of a saving faith in Jesus and parent’s testimony.

Readiness: Required for them to approach a pastor on their own and ask to be baptized.

Reasoning: Required a private one-on-one meeting where they are asked about their understanding of the Gospel. (Which, would happen anyways) (Focused on the death of Jesus being the substitute and payment for our sins)

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 (ESV)

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

Disciple Making Parents speak the gospel for their children’s conversion.

For Thought, Discussion, and Action

What warning does D.A. Carson give us about assuming the gospel? How do we as individuals and churches assume the Gospel? How do we fight not losing it?

One popular idea is that all your children have to do is “ask Jesus into their heart.” Parents then naturally assume their children are all set. How do the ideas of continual repentance and the idea of becoming convinced in chapter 3 fight this?

2 Timothy 3:14 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

What do you think about patient alertness, and rejoicing and watchful? How do these challenge the idea of just trying to get a small child to “Ask Jesus into his heart?” What might be some danger of rushing a child who is not sensing the conviction of the Holy Spirit?

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: 2 Cor. 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.