Children’s Ministry Think Tank
I have been invited to participate with other Children’s ministers by answering important questions about children-family ministry.
The first question asked of the group was the following: “An 8 year old boy says, ‘I don’t want to go to hell. How can I be saved?’” Here is my response:
There are some missing factors with this question. Who has been bringing Jon to church? Is he attending with a parent? Is he attending with a friend? Is he attending by a bus ministry? Or is he simply walking to church by himself?
Since Jon has been attending church for several weeks, then a relationship should have begun between him and the CM leaders. From at least week 2 of a child’s attendance, leaders in the ministry should begin to talk to each child in the group to find out their interests, activities, education, and family, anything to gain more knowledge into his life to know how to plan each week’s lessons to meet needs.
The CM leader needs to sit down with Jon and the person responsible for bringing him to church. A relationship should have begun with the parent; therefore, he/she is familiar with the leader and feels comfortable talking to him/her. Tell the parent about Jon’s question. Go through the ABC plan of salvation with both of them:
- Admit you are a sinner.
- Believe in Jesus as Savior.
- Choose to follow Jesus.
Emphasize the fact that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life to Heaven. Emphasize the benefits and good points of having a relationship with Jesus and that Heaven is the end result. Instead of scaring him out of Hell, we want him to enjoy Jesus and Heaven.
If Jon has been attending with a friend, the CM leader needs to talk with the friend’s parent about Jon’s family. How receptive are they to his spiritual relationship? Plan to visit Jon’s family with the friend’s parent and let them know about Jon’s inquiry.
If Jon has been attending via bus ministry, the CM leader needs to inform the bus captain of Jon’s question. Ask from where he is picked up and plan a visit to the family with the bus captain.
If Jon has been attending by walking to church on his own, the CM leader should have already found some information about him and from where he comes and lives. When Jon asks this important question, the leader needs to sit down and talk to him about the benefits and good points of Heaven and explain the ABC’s of salvation. Then plan a visit to Jon’s home; although, since he has been attending church for several weeks, he should have already attempted to contact the family.
Overall, relationships should have already begun with each person involved in Jon’s attendance at church since he has been attending for several weeks. The more CM leaders know about a child’s life, interests, activities, and family will help them to minister in appropriate ways and meet needs. Children and families are more comfortable when leaders have shown an interest in their lives.
Additionally, the CM leader should not be the only person involved in leading Jon. There are other leaders as well: small group leader, parents of friends. Since Jon has been attending for several weeks, each person can have an impact on his spiritual journey and can be involved in the discussion.
Here is the link to some other responses from participating group members … click here.
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