| Gospel 4 Kids Leta Neiderheiser 03/06/2010  Q.Leta, we know you are uniquely qualified to answer this question. How would you suggest presenting the gospel message to children in a simple but clear and thorough manner? Answer: Props & Stories Precede Gospel Message I usually use some kind of a prop to help give this message and I do have several different things I use. Also, the story, the memory verse, or several weeks worth of bible stories have paved the way for this message. I almost never give it [the Gospel] in a vacuum; but if I did, it would be something like this: Defining the Problem of Sin Do you know that you and I are sinners? That means we want to do things our way, not God’s way. The Bible tells us that “All have sinned!” (Rom. 5:12). Sin is all the wrong things you do such as lying, unkindness and disobeying your parents or maybe your teacher. The bad news is that sin separates you from God. God can not even look at sin; there can be no sin in God’s beautiful heaven. Only Jesus Saves Us from our Sins But the good news is that God still loves you and he does not want you to be separated from Him forever. God sent his only Son, Jesus, down from Heaven to be born as a tiny baby. Jesus grew up just like you, but he never sinned. He is the only one who ever lived on the earth that never sinned. HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THE POWER TO SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS.  Jesus Took Our Punishment Jesus grew up to be a man and willingly went to the cross to shed His blood to pay for your sins and mine. The Lord Jesus took the punishment for your-sins-and-mine the punishment we deserved. The Bible says, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He rose from the grave by God’s power, proving that His sin offering for the sins of the world was accepted by our holy God. He is Alive in Heaven Today Jesus is alive today in Heaven, and he said He was going to prepare a place for you and me; and if He went to prepare a place he will come back to get us. Do you want to be a part of God’s family right now and someday live in Heaven with Jesus?  Joining God’s Family If you want Jesus to come into your heart and be your savior then quietly say a prayer something like this: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I sin. I know that You died on the cross for my sins. I want you to live in my heart and wash away my sin. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart, wash me clean, and help me to start living for you today. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen. ______________________________________________________ Author, historian and educator Leta Neiderheiser has worked with children of all ages for decades. She is a published author, a retired school teacher, and has worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), and “Good News” clubs for many years. |
