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Evangelisation of Children
Statement from The Salvation Army Focus Group on
Evangelisation of Children
A definition of evangelise is, ‘preach the gospel to a person or persons with a view to them believing in Jesus Christ as Saviour and accepting the Christian faith’.
The concept of evangelisation implies that the person to be evangelised is not already in a relationship with God and that is a simple assumption if we are talking about adults. In the case of children, however, Jesus said, ‘the Kingdom belongs to such as these’. It is important in the evangelisation of children that we approach them with this understanding gleaned from the words of Jesus – they are still ‘within the gravitational pull’ of God’s Kingdom. Children are in a very special and unique position of not yet being anti-God or agnostic; they have the seed, and our responsibility as a Christian church is to water that seed and to give clarity to their picture of the one who has a plan for their redemption. Again Jesus said, ‘It is not the will of your father that any of these little ones should perish’. Every child is important in the sight of God and every child is precious.
Children are receptive to faith, we must reach little children in their early years to teach and demonstrate the love of God. George Barna, in his book ‘Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions’ says:
‘We discovered that the probability of someone embracing Jesus as his or her Saviour was 32% for those between the ages of 5 and 12, 4% for those in the 13 – 18 age range and 6% for people 19 or older’.
The field is indeed ‘ripe to harvest’.
Comment from an American point of view is:
‘In the history of the Church, and the Salvation Army in the United States, the entry point into the Church for children has been primarily the Sunday School. However, in the past 30 years the decline in Sunday school statistics has been steady and nothing has been developed to take its place. Sunday school has become a by-product of, rather than an entry point, into the Church. Today it is fulfilling only a part of its original purpose. Consequently, we now find ourselves in a statistical decline in all major areas of church ministry. We have basically lost a generation who will not be reached by the Church because we were not there for them in their early childhood years.’
From an Indian perspective it is recognised that:
‘Not all children come to the Sunday School/Church but now is the time for the Church to go to the children. It is happening, and we praise God that some of our Sunday school teachers are already engaged in a ministry which takes them outside the Church and they are reaching children with the gospel.’
J.I. Overholtzer, founder of Child Evangelism Fellowship, says:
‘Child evangelism is a form of personal work that can be carried on everywhere, in home, in the Bible class and on the street.’
Evangelisation of children isn’t just about another set of programmes or activities. Commissioner Joe Noland writes:
‘We can have the greatest programme and teaching materials that have ever existed, but a curriculum without care is like a bed without its covers. It gives support but the warmth is not there. Without the warmth that bed will soon lose its attractiveness. Without the care, the curriculum will soon lose its attractiveness.’
Evangelisation of children is all about engaging with children and building relationships is at the heart of the matter. Programmes will, however, provide an opportunity for such engagement and care should be taken not to miss the God given opportunity. It is crucial that people involved in ministry to children receive the right training, equipping and support for their ministry. Those who are involved in ministry to children must have the highest degree of integrity and moral code.
In reaching children with the good news of Jesus Christ, the challenge is to think creatively, exercise flexibility and make what is on offer attractive!
Scripture references (words of Jesus) – Matthew 18 |