123 Repeat After Me

[JustABigKid]

The Lord has called my family and I into the children's ministry. I have worked on bus routes, children's churches, VBS, camps, etc. since I was in the 9th grade. I really enjoy working with kids and seeing their eyes open up to the truths of God's Word. One thing I hate is how so many people/churches rush kids through salvation.

I personally find it hard to believe that you can bring in 100 kids many being ages 7 - 10 that have never gone to church, never heard of Jesus other than as a cuss word or being made fun by family, and after the 1st time of hearing the gospel over half of them "get saved."

I meet adults ever single week that make comments like: "Oh I rode a bus when I was kid." or "I said a prayer at church one time." They have no fruit to show any salvation. Many of these same kids never come back after that special event.

I think that we have to be more vigilant about dealing with kids to be sure they truly understand salvation and are not just having them "123 repeat after me"

Any thoughts on this subject or ways that you keep this from happening in your ministry?

Thanks

 

[Timothy]

Does your Church baptize these children?

I agree with your concern, but I tend to believe that the walls adults put up to resist salvation often Children don't have. They innocently see the need for salvation and agree to the remedy for their sin problem.

I find it interesting that the more we mature in Christ many times we add onto the gospel.

 

[Binaca Chugger]

I'll bite at this can of worms.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me."  "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 

Children can come to a point of repentance and faith in Christ for salvation.

Too many people, bus workers and parents alike, so desire to see the children they love trust Christ, that they push for a salvation experience before the child is ready or really understands what is happening.  This is not just a bus kid thing, it is a church kid thing too.  Go to any Bible college.  Do a survey of all the students there who got saved as a child and then really saved as a teen.  Normally, 20% is a low number.

I don't claim that a child needs to fully comprehend every doctrine involved with salvation to be saved.  However, the "experience" of a small child is often more about trusting what the adult says than trusting Christ.

 

[JustABigKid]

Thank you for all of your comments.

@Timothy - My current church does not but I have been to a church that as soon as someone makes a profession they are sent up for baptism.

@Binaca - Your 20% comment is so true and is probably very low. I am one of those that at 5 made a profession but couldnt tell a thing about what I did or why but at 19 realized I my need for a Savior. I do also believe that a child does not need to a salvation theologian but a basic understand. I am afraid too many times kids will say a prayer for because they know their parent, pastor, teacher, or bus worker will be happy that they did.

@aleshanee - I enjoyed your testimony. I would hope that we are able to teach our kids to be more like your friend.

I hope everyone understands I am not on a witch hunt or anything like that. I like to learn from others situation, understanding, beliefs, and concerns.

Now to go along with the initial question. If you have a child who "got saved" but then seems to constantly be coming back to "get saved" week after week. How would you deal with that? Would you say he was never saved to begin with? Or was it just that not enough was done to explain assurance?

Thanks,

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Now to go along with the initial question. If you have a child who "got saved" but then seems to constantly be coming back to "get saved" week after week. How would you deal with that? Would you say he was never saved to begin with? Or was it just that not enough was done to explain assurance?

Thanks,

Very much depends on the situation, the individual and the age.

Coming for prizes, et. al. - Duh.  Don't even need to address.

Coming because he doesn't know any better and thinks this is what we are supposed to do every week.  Teaching is needed.

Coming out of sincerity, really not sure what if saved or not - different issue.

I once heard taught that people who constantly question their salvation are either unsaved, not sure of what salvation is (eternal), or under attack of satan to hinder their spiritual growth.  A spiritual counselor may need to talk with the individual.

 

[BALAAM]

The Lord has called my family and I into the children's ministry. I have worked on bus routes, children's churches, VBS, camps, etc. since I was in the 9th grade. I really enjoy working with kids and seeing their eyes open up to the truths of God's Word. One thing I hate is how so many people/churches rush kids through salvation.

I personally find it hard to believe that you can bring in 100 kids many being ages 7 - 10 that have never gone to church, never heard of Jesus other than as a cuss word or being made fun by family, and after the 1st time of hearing the gospel over half of them "get saved."

I meet adults ever single week that make comments like: "Oh I rode a bus when I was kid." or "I said a prayer at church one time." They have no fruit to show any salvation. Many of these same kids never come back after that special event.

I think that we have to be more vigilant about dealing with kids to be sure they truly understand salvation and are not just having them "123 repeat after me"

Any thoughts on this subject or ways that you keep this from happening in your ministry?

Thanks
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I agree and understand your concern. I have had the same thoughts and question. But I gotta tell ya, many years ago my wife and I were in charge of Junior Church. I gave the lesson and an invitation and a bunch of kids raised their hands that wanted to be saved. My first thought was, "Oh no what did I do wrong? I don't think they understood me."

One of those little kids was my nephew. That was about 25 years ago and to this day he still points to that and says that we are the ones that led him to Christ. Cast your bread upon the waters my friend. And keep casting.

 

[Recovering IFB]

I find it interesting that the more we mature in Christ many times we add onto the gospel.

I also think that it shows a lack in trusting the Holy Spirit to work in a childs life. God could make a child understand through the Holt Spirit,or us parents or Sunday school teacher or all of it. My wife and i are always trying to show our kids God through everyday situations,(while shopping,playing sports or something we on TV). We ask them what, if any, sin did they see, how God is working, etc.
  Im not against bus ministries or anything like it,but I think that we, as parents need to trust God with our children that He is going to perform His will.

 

[lnf]

I have personal knowledge of two of the scenarios mentioned by others:

A young teen came to the altar several times in the course of a year, each time proclaiming that he "had been saved".  This young man, clearly, did not understand salvation.  He was taken aside, discipled, and ultimately did come forward for baptism, about six months later.

A friend of mine has a 5-year old daughter.  Twice now, the daughter has come to her to say she has accepted Jesus into her heart.  My friend was confused about how to deal with this, considering the extreme youth of her daughter.  The first time, she just expressed affirmation.  The second time, she questioned her about what that meant.  Well, this young child seems to have a good understanding on exactly what it means!  At this point, my friend asked me what I thought about it.  You see, she was still surprised at how young her daughter is, even though she seems to have a true understanding of her profession of faith.  I advised her (since the moment had already passed) to not discount it simply due to her daughter's young age, but to look for the time when she wants to be baptized.  This has not yet occurred.