BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 10:13-16 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 21 June 2020)

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

INTRODUCTION:

The great emphasis on the universality of sin and its consequences is so clear in the Bible that we dare not conclude that children are exempted. On the contrary, the Bible makes it very clear that children are included in the “all” who are sinners (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23). The Lord Jesus showed His deep love and concern for children, He welcomed them (Mark 10:13), He wanted them to be saved (Matthew 18:11) and wished that non of them should perish (Matthew 18:14).

OUTLINES:

1. MEANING AND REASONS FOR CHILD EVANGELISM
2. METHODS OF CHILD EVANGELISM

1. MEANING AND REASONS FOR CHILD EVANGELISM

Child evangelism is the teaching of the message of salvation to children with the aim of bringing them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It does not just mean the telling of Bible stories, it involves the presentation and explanation of the Bible truth to an unsaved child and the application of the truth to a child’s mind, heart and will (Deuteronomy 6:7, 2Timothy 1:5).

Child evangelism is necessary because it is a command from God that everyone needs to be reached with the word of God irrespective of age, race or gender (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20). The only condition placed on humanity for salvation is to believe and confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10). God’s kingdom is the children’s rightful place (Matthew 19:14). It is better to reach children with the gospel while they are still young (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7) because it is the surest strategy for church growth (Luke 18:15-17). Child evangelism guarantees the survival of Christianity (2 Timothy 1:5; Deuteronomy 4:9). Children are teachable, therefore it is easy for them to accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour (2 Timothy 3:15). Children can make this critical decision before their hearts are hardened by sin, such that they begin to develop godly characters, which is the outward expression of a new inward life (1 Samuel 2:18,26).

2. METHODS OF CHILD EVANGELISM

The Gospel should be presented to the child at an early age so that as the Holy Spirit works, he will come to know Jesus as his personal Lord and saviour. Reaching the child with the gospel of Christ can be done in several ways, which include:

1. Mass Evangelism: This can take the form of an:
   (a) Open air crusade, whereby the church leaves its comfortable building and goes out in search of the lost children and youths on the streets and villages (Mark 10:1, 13-14).
   (b) Open air church service approach takes the children activities out of the conventional church building to conduct special programmes like games, film show, Bible quiz, etc.
   (c) Print media method makes use of tracts and literatures to reach children. These printed materials could be in form of Bible stories/cartoons and should be colourful, to attract children.
   (d) Radio/Television approach, etc. (Acts 13:49)
2. Personal Evangelism: Is the act of reaching the children with the Good News of Christ, using person to person approach (1Samuel 3:7-10). Some practical approaches to personal evangelism are:
   (a) Direct approach. This involves sudden or straight forward introduction of the messages of salvation to a child
   (b) Indirect approach. The conversation could begin with the football match, a movie or some other subject which will later end with the message of salvation.
   (c) Doing a favour approach. Help a child cross the road, lift heavy loads, etc., in order to introduce the message of salvation.

The avenues for personal evangelism of children can be at home, the school, the church, the community etc.

CONCLUSION:
There is no qualifier of age, either a beginning age at which it is possible to believe or an ending age after which is too late to believe. Salvation is the divine work of the Holy Spirit.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is child evangelism?
2. What are the ways which the church can use to improve child evangelism?