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Kids Ministry, Leadership, Reaching

The ABCs of Salvation is not the Gospel

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Kids Ministry 101 welcomes guest blogger Aaron Wilson. This article was originally published in Facts & Trends.

School may be out for the summer, but many kids will still be learning their ABCs over the break.

The ABCs of salvation, that is.

This popular children’s ministry acronym stands for admit, believe, and confess. It’s a simple way churches teach parents and volunteers to share the gospel with kids—especially during the week of Vacation Bible School.

A quick Google search of the ABCs of salvation reveals the phrase has become established church jargon. Numerous Christian websites, YouTube videos, and Pinterest boards strive to teach kids the gospel through this simple structure.

But as ministry leaders and parents prepare to use this evangelistic framework, they should be aware of the propensity to confuse the ABCs of salvation with the gospel itself.

AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

In its simplest form, the ABCs of salvation is not the gospel; rather, the acts of admitting, believing, and confessing (and you might tack on, repenting) are all biblical responses to the gospel.

This distinction is important. As essential as it is for kids to learn how to glorify God in responding to the gospel, they cannot do so unless they first rightly hear the message that prompts a response.

For this reason, LifeWay includes the following in its VBS gospel presentation tools to supplement the ABCs of salvation:

  • God rules—The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17)
  • We sinned—We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
  • God provided—God sent Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • Jesus gives—Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)
  • We respond—We can respond to Jesus. The ABCs of Becoming a Christian is a simple tool that helps us remember how to respond when prompted by the Holy Spirit to receive the gift Jesus offers.

NOT RUSHING THE GOSPEL

When children’s ministry leaders are presenting the gospel, it can be tempting to rush to the last point and seek what may be a premature response from kids by inviting them to admit, believe, and confess before kids have an adequate understanding of what the gospel really is.

This can be especially true during VBS when leaders are understandably eager to share how many decisions were made that week for Christ.

But it serves children best when adults slow down the pace of gospel presentations to ensure that kids clearly understand the full message of God’s redemption—which includes the story of creation, the Fall, and God’s restoration through Jesus Christ.

Elaborating on the full gospel helps protect children from growing up to trust in an experience in which they prayed a prayer, walked an aisle, or signed a card. It shifts their spiritual security from a one-time personal event to the actual substance of the gospel, which is centered on Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection.

So how can churches help prepare leaders and parents to share the full gospel with kids during VBS? Here are four suggestions:

PROVIDE TRAINING

It’s easy to fill VBS training sessions with information about crafts, snacks, and bathroom policies. While all of these things are important, churches should also make sure to reserve time to train volunteers on how to share the gospel with kids.

Crafts made at VBS won’t likely make it through the week. However, a proper presentation of the gospel can have an eternal impact on a child’s life. You can help make sure your training majors on what’s most important with resources like “Leading a Child to Christ” and the booklet “The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me.”

TELL A STORY, NOT A FORMULA

At its core, the gospel is a story about good news. Children are captivated by stories, but for the sake of time, it can be tempting to shorten gospel presentations into a formula in which A+B+C=salvation.

While it’s true salvation is by grace through faith, that formula won’t lead to conversions if children don’t understand why grace is needed in the first place and how it is provided through the cross. As you train your VBS volunteers, encourage them to present the gospel as a story rather than as an evangelistic equation.

STRIKE THIS PHRASE

Well-meaning Christians sometimes try to seal the deal of a gospel presentation with the following phrase: “Now, all you have to do to become a Christian is…”

The problem is, Jesus never talked like this. Salvation is a free gift of grace that is not given on the merit of works. However, Christ often challenged people who brought a casual attitude to discipleship (Matthew 8:18-22).

Jesus encouraged people to count the cost before they decided to follow Him said anyone wanting to come after Him must be willing to die daily to his or her sinful life (Luke 14:25-33; Luke 9:23). He also told the parable of a man who was willing to give up everything he had for the sake of gaining a treasure that represents the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:44).

Have your volunteers teach free grace as they go through the ABCs of salvation, but encourage them to guard against using phrases that might understate the significance of what it means to follow Christ.

ESTABLISH AN ONGOING GOSPEL CULTURE

Some parents sweat over the idea of having “the gospel talk” with their kid.

These parents—who might be serving as VBS volunteers at your church—tend to view the act of sharing the gospel as a one-time event. With only one chance to get it right, it’s no wonder they’re nervous!

You can alleviate this pressure by helping parents and leaders grow comfortable sharing the gospel every week. This happens by helping kids make connections between individual Bible stories and Scripture’s overarching redemptive narrative.

For more practical suggestions on how to establish this kind of culture in your children’s ministry, check out the eight-week activity book What is a Christian, releasing this July, and the book Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry by Brian Dembowczyk

THE GOAL OF VBS: PREACHING THE GOSPEL

Even if they don’t go to church, most Americans recall attending VBS and report positive memories of the event. Your church can help attendees remember that VBS wasn’t a just fun summer distraction, but that it was also a setting in which they clearly heard the gospel proclaimed.

Take time to train your volunteers on how to point kids to Christ. But instead of starting with the ABCs of salvation—the response to the gospel—you might consider ending with it.

Aaron Wilson is husband to Jennifer, father to Abel and Belle (7-year-old twins), and serves as an associate editor in LifeWay Corporate Communications. He enjoys spending time with his family and writing about God’s glory. Follow him on Twitter at @AaronBWilson26 and at FactsAndTrends.net.

Leadership, Parenting, Preschool, Reaching

Creating a New and Expectant Parent Ministry, Part 2

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Creating a new and expectant parent ministry is an effective way to reach new families in the community and build relationships with parents. In an earlier article, I shared ways to begin building relationships with families prior to the birth of a baby or adoption. Use the steps listed below to continue building relationships with families after the baby arrives.

  • Visit the Family When Baby Arrives. Schedule a time to visit the family. Depending on their schedule and situation, you may visit the hospital or at their home. Take small gifts for the parents such as BabyLife or ParentLife. Possible gifts for the baby include baby care items, a blanket, or small remembrance. Don’t forget to include the siblings. Bubbles or play-doh make show you care about the brothers and sisters, too
  • Celebrate the Baby’s Arrival. Consider ordering reusable yard signs to place in the family’s yard for a couple of weeks after the baby’s birth. Make sure to get permission from the family before placing the sign in the yard.
  • Other Aspects of the Expectant Parent Ministry. Be prepared to minister to families in all situations. Include an encourager on your ministry team to serve families who have babies with special needs. Also, add an encourager who can minister to families who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth.
  • Follow-up with Parents. A few weeks after the birth of the baby, the assigned encourager visits the new parents. She uses this opportunity to check with the parents to learn of any new ways the church can minister to them, pray for them, and answer any questions the parents may have about the preschool ministry.

Other Steps to Remember:

  • Prepare a Calendar for the Year. During the year, plan events such as mom’s brunch, parents’ dinner, or an ice cream sundae party for expectant and new parents (mom and dad) to attend. At these events, include a time of fellowship, relevant information for parents, and information about the church and preschool ministry. Ask teachers from the babies’ classes to share their testimony with the families. Explain what the babies experience in their classes on Sunday morning and how they are taught biblical truths in age appropriate ways.
  • Prepare a budget. When preparing a budget, remember to include gifts for parents, babies, and siblings. In addition, estimate the costs of events and socials.

Creating a new and expectant ministry in your church helps build trust with new and expectant parents. What steps do you need to take to begin this meaningful ministry?

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Reaching

Shepherd your Flock: Hospitality Matters in Kids Ministry

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I recently returned from a trip to China. I was amazed at the hospitality the local people offered our group in a variety of contexts. Whether we were visiting area schools or village homes, there was always an ever-present anticipation of our needs that exceeded our expectations. As I’ve pondered this experience, it’s made me realize the importance of hospitality in the work we do as KidMin leaders. I’d like to challenge us all to heavily lean in when it comes to making the families we serve feel welcome, safe, and comfortable while they are under our care. Here are a few ideas that come to mind:

  1. Implement a Welcome Team: Recruit people who have the gift of hospitality to serve on your welcome team. Encourage them to know the names of the parents and children who attend your church. Charge them with the task of seeking out new people who may be a little nervous or uncomfortable with where to go, what to do, or even who to talk to in a sea of church folk who all know each other. Look for these visitors and make them feel like family.
  2. Over-communicate with Parents: As a leader, be sure you know the parents of the kids in your ministry. Make sure they feel like they know you. This can be done in a variety of ways through weekly newsletters, Facebook groups, and generally making yourself available. However, don’t make your communication one-sided. Offer ways for parents and caregivers to talk back to you. Ask about their kids, be ready to help if you hear of needs in families, and most of all—make yourself accessible through email, phone, or in person.
  3. Follow Up Often: When you haven’t seen a child in a while, write to the parents either on a postcard (yes, many of us still do this) or in an email. You might even consider giving them a call or text if appropriate. Let people know they are missed.
  4. Be Aware of Needs: If there is an expectant mother in your ministry, ask if there are ways you can serve her. When the child is born, celebrate by writing a card or sending a small gift. If there is a family who has fallen on hard times, be ready to involve a deacon or elder to check in with them in a deeper way. You may be the first to know and need to let the broader church community help in different ways. Examples of this would be illness or injury in the family, financial difficulty, or signs of abuse or neglect.  Be watchful and shepherd your flock well.

There are many ways to implement hospitality in your ministry. You alone cannot care for all the needs that arise in the families you serve; but, you can build a team to serve alongside you so that all the sheep in your midst are tended to with love and care. Most of all, let them know they matter each time you see them. Call them by name. Care for their needs. Cherish your time with them.

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 (CSB)

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of LifeWay Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of Kids Ministry that Nourishes and Life Verse Creative Journal, which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Reaching

Tips for Kids on Sharing Their Faith

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pollard-blueHey leaders, parents, and anybody else who happens to be reading this post, here is some helpful information you can pass along to the kids in your sphere of influence with tips on how they can share their faith. Wait, what? Kids sharing their faith? We grownups sometimes don’t do a good job of sharing our faith with others so how can we encourage kids to do it? If you fall into this category then these tips might be helpful to you as well. Get REAL!

  1. Relationships. Get to know people. Getting to know people is the easiest way for you to start a conversation about your faith. Developing relationships with others is pretty easy if you treat them as the Bible tells us to—the way you want to be treated. For kids, this is usually a lot easier than it is for adults. Get to know someone and find some common ground to begin your spiritual discussions.
  2. Experience. Your experience with Christ is your very own, you don’t need to make up the story of what happened to you, nor do you need to worry about what others think. The story of your experience with Christ can be shared with confidence.
  3. Ask. Ask questions not just to get to know the person you are talking to, but ask questions to elicit understanding from the person you are talking to. See if the story you shared made sense to them and ask if your friend has any questions of their own.
  4. Laugh. I’m a big believer in laughter; I love to do it! Laughter opens up many doors and brings ease and comfort in sometimes uncomfortable situations. Now, you don’t have to start with a joke, but laughter helps a conversation move naturally from place to place. If you are having fun and enjoying each others company it will be easier to share about your faith in a way that is more natural and comfortable.

If we get REAL with our faith sharing and encourage kids to do the same, they will be more comfortable sharing the message of Jesus with others as they grow and mature. Remember, the story you are sharing is the greatest story every told and you should be excited and honored to be able to share it with others. God bless you as you tell others about His love!

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd-6th graders Explore the Bible: Kids Worship on Sunday nights at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. He’s passionate about helping kids dig deep into Scripture, which he pursues through his daily work as leader of the Explore the Bible: Kids team. Tim lives with his wife and daughters in Mount Juliet, TN.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Reaching

Free Resources for Sharing Jesus with Kids

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peters-blueLeading kids to Christ is at the center of everything we do in children’s ministry. But, many adult leaders lack confidence when it comes to communicating the gospel to kids with clarity. It is essential that we include the key concepts of sin and salvation, but we need to do so in language that kids understand. This is such an important conversation to have that we decided to create and share some free resources to help you specifically equip your volunteers for success in communicating God’s plan of salvation to the kids in your ministry.

The Gospel God’s Plan for Me

The first resource to download is this simple icon-driven gospel outline. You can print it to hang on your classroom walls so it’s always accessible, make copies for each of your leaders to review at home, even share with parents to equip them to have this conversation at home. The simple outline uses 5 icons: a crown, an X, the cross, a gift, and raised hands as visual memory hooks to help leaders and kids recollections. We invite you to share these resources freely as widely as you like. If you are interested, you can find 4-color printed pocket-sized booklets with The Gospel God’s Plan for Me at lifeway.com.

The Gospel God’s Plan for Me is a document that our content editors and kids ministry experts have developed to get the conversation going. It is intended to be used as a clear and concise gospel presentation that helps lead a child who is interested in a personal faith in Jesus up to the point of decision. We leave a time of prayer and commitment to you.  

Unpacking the Story

The outline goes like this:

God Rules: The Bible tells us that God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17

We Sinned: We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. That’s bad news. Romans 3:23, 6:23

God Provided: But wait. There’s also good news! God sent His Son Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. That’s something that we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus Gives: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family now, and for all eternity. That’s the best gift ever! Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9

We Respond: How can you respond to this gift? Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He has already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10, 13

The ABCs help us remember how to respond to the gospel.

A: Admit that you are a sinner and repent. Repent means to turn around or to change direction. We turn away from our sin and turn towards God.

B: Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and receive His gift of forgiveness from sin.

C: Confess to God, and other people, that Jesus is your savior and that He is Lord of your life.

Kids Gospel Presentation Videos

To make sharing the gospel easier, we have also created free gospel presentation videos that you can use. Visit lifeway.com/kidsgospelpresentation. There you will find seven different videos of a variety of men and women sharing the same gospel presentation. There’s even one in Spanish. Adults can play these videos for their kids and let our communicators share the Gospel God’s Plan for Me, or your team can use these videos as samples to help them learn to communicate the gospel with greater clarity and confidence themselves.

If you use LifeWay Kids resources like Bible Studies for Life Kids, Explore the Bible Kids, The Gospel Project for Kids, TeamKID, or LifeWay VBS, you will also find these videos on the DVDs included with your lesson resources. We have posted them to lifeway.com/kidsgospelpresentation to allow these videos to be shared more broadly by anyone, whether they use LifeWay Kids resources or not. Our prayer is God will expand the reach of the gospel as we equip you, the church, for ministry.

Remember, the gospel is always best communicated in the context of relationship, and decisions to follow Christ should always be followed up with relational discipleship in the local church. If you are interested in new believer resources, I highly recommend I’m a Christian Now. It had sessions for younger and older kids to help them as they begin their personal faith journey. You can find more info HERE.

May God add His blessing as you share the good news of salvation through Jesus with the kids in your community!

Chuck Peters is Director of Operations for LifeWay Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck has served vocationally & voluntarily in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Preschool, Reaching, Sunday School

Connecting with Families of Babies

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Delanee Williams (1)In our churches today, parents are waiting longer and longer to bring their babies to their class in the preschool area. Parents need affirmation that they can trust the adults teaching and providing care for their baby while at church. When trust is developed, parents are more likely to bring their babies consistently to church. How can we as teachers and leaders in kids ministry develop trust with parents? Building connections with parents is vital to gaining trust as you teach and care for their baby. Select ideas listed below to begin making connections with families.

  • Contact expectant parents during the pregnancy or adoption process; introduce yourself as a teacher in the baby class.
  • Throughout the pregnancy or adoption process, ask the family how you can pray for them.
  • Share your testimony with parents. Parents enjoy hearing more about the adults who care for their baby.
  • Provide an opportunity for parents to tour your preschool area. During this time, explain the cleaning and disinfecting process for toys and classrooms. Share other church policies such as the security procedures, wellness policy, and other helpful information. Talk about other ways parents can be involved in the preschool ministry and your church.
  • Communicate details of a baby’s experiences in your class. Explain to parents how you teach biblical truths in ways their baby learns.
  • When the baby is born, visit the family at the hospital or at their home. Schedule a time prior to visiting them. If possible, include a little gift from the church welcoming the new baby.
  • Learn name pronunciations and spellings of the baby’s name and other family members.
  • Provide an information sheet for parents to complete about their baby. The information should include helpful tips for teachers to know while caring for the baby. Continue to update the information for the baby as needed.
  • On the baby’s first Sunday in your class, send home a little keepsake stating the Bible story, listing his teachers’ names, and any other important information. After the baby’s first Sunday, contact the parents to see how the experience was for them as parents and for their baby.
  • Continually, communicate with parents giving them an avenue to share questions or concerns. Be willing to listen to any concerns they may have and answer their questions.

Which ideas would work best in your church? What are other ideas have you found to help build connections with families?

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

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