Gary Moreau, Feb. 2, 2012
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WE ARE IN CONTROL
The Bible talks about a man accepting Jesus, then his whole family does the same. As leaders of our home we men have control over our family. Current stats show that the family is more likely to accept Jesus if the father does first vs. mother or children. Dads, it is your job. You will be more effective at evangelizing your children then your wife, than your church, than anyone else.
WINDOW OF TIME
You have more control over your children when they are younger vs. when they are teens. A child too young will not understand the gospel and this might produce false assurance of salvation (especially in Baptist and other Evangelicals). You have a window of time: do not start too early nor too late.
BUT WHEN?
At what age can the child verbally explain the gospel there self? How simple can one’s understanding of God and the gospel be but still get saved? The thief on the cross knew that Jesus is the Son of God, he trusted Him, and he verbalized it. “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your hearts that he was raised from the dead and you will be saved”.
When does the attitude of a child (or any “baby” Christian) turn from themselves and what they receive from church, to others and how they can minister and evangelize them? I think when a Christian changes from self to others, they become a missionary, and they will not turn away from their faith. If a Christian is still receiving only, they are at risk of turning from their faith. “Faith without works is dead”. “I will know you are my disciples if you obey me.” First comes faith and salvation, then in response to that we do good works (not to get salvation but in response to it). This is a major step in discipleship.
