When are children too young to hear the Gospel?

ViaCrucis · Feb 18, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
Thanks for your comments...

What about the consequences of sin?

By God's grace and help, I prayerfully would try and lead them to understand the harm that sin causes, it would depend on many different factors and the context. That when they take that isn't theirs, they hurt others, and ask them how they would feel if something was taken from them unfairly.

What about the consequences of rejecting Jesus?

As above, I think much of this would be context-sensitive. I would also seek to be honest with my children, and be willing to admit there are certain questions which we don't always have answers for. My desire would be, rather than to fill their heads with answers to questions which I am not myself sure sure about, instead point them ever to Christ through faithful preaching of the Gospel. And trust in the power of the Gospel, as God Himself has promised; for the Spirit Himself brings and creates faith through the word.

-CryptoLutheran

RDKirk · Feb 18, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
Thanks for your comments...

What about the consequences of sin?

What about the consequences of rejecting Jesus?

I personally don't even think about "the consequences of sin" myself from day to day. I mostly think about how great it is to be in His grace, in freedom from the bondage of sin right now.

I have taught my children to run toward life more than to run from death.

When I was an active road cyclist, one of the most important road survival lessons I learned was, "Never focus on the obstacle in your path; focus on the route around the obstacle."

topher694 · Feb 18, 2021

Children are never too young for food, likewise they are never too young for the Gospel. But, just like food, you give it to them in portions they are able to chew on and digest.

Hammster · Feb 18, 2021

topher694 said:
Children are never too young for food, likewise they are never too young for the Gospel. But, just like food, you give it to them in portions they are able to chew on and digest.

Win!

Sketcher · Feb 18, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
Do we share a different Gospel with the very young?

Do we appropriately emphasise the love of God and leave out the judgement of God.

"Allow the little children to come unto me..."

What do we say to them about Jesus without it being inappropriate.

I am thinking of ages around 6.

My parents eased it in for me. I always new about Jesus. I learned about sin when I was very young. I don't recall anything about Hell until a little later, I'm not sure exactly when, but it had to have been between the ages of four and nine. I was pretty blasphemous at age five, and at age six I was offended by a sloppy version of the Gospel from another kid and I didn't know what the word "Christian" meant in terms of a person being a Christian, but then Mom clarified things. Dad phased Hell in, and the emphasis was on Jesus doing what he did so people wouldn't have to go there. We watched Mickey's Christmas Carol, and the "Ghost of Christmas Future" scene had the first representation similar to Hell that I really remember, Dad took that and ran with it. I'm not sure how old I was when I first saw that, I was convicted that I should honor God at age six or seven, and I was scared of dying in sin by age nine, but they wanted to make sure I knew that becoming a Christian was a serious commitment for how I was supposed to live my life, and I wasn't baptized until several months later. So that wasn't a quick process. There were a lot of conversations leading up to it.

Anyway, as far as the "good news and bad news" part of the Christian message, I think I turned out OK.

tturt · Feb 19, 2021

"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Psa 34:11 Would use terminology that they can understand.

"The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil." Pro 19:23 Having the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and is the fountain of life (Pro 1:7, 9:10, 14:27). God teaches those who fear Him. (Pro 1). Having the fear of the Lord is loving Him, giving Him honor, respect, devotion, right worship, serving Him, following Him and being submitted and obeying His Word, His will.

How to have the fear of the Lord:
"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Pro 2:1-5).

Jesse Dornfeld · Feb 20, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
Yes... that was in part what I was thinking about...

Well, even the Gospels do not go into excruciating detail about what happened to Jesus. Sure they report what actually happened, but they don't like make a sport out of the crucifixion.

Carl Emerson · Feb 21, 2021

True Counterphobia said:
Well, even the Gospels do not go into excruciating detail about what happened to Jesus. Sure they report what actually happened, but they don't like make a sport out of the crucifixion.

Friend - for years I could not look at Jesus on a cross - I am unusually sensitive to pain. I became deeply sympathetic with His suffering.

Here is a couple of verses to consider...

Col 1:
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

2Cor 4
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

These verses are fundamental to the ministry of intercession.

Hazelelponi · Feb 21, 2021

RDKirk said:
I personally don't even think about "the consequences of sin" myself from day to day.

Yeah I think if we did we'd end up frantic and panicked legalists instead of joyful people living out the Christian life as best we can....

Hazelelponi · Feb 21, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
Thanks for your comments...

What about the consequences of sin?

What about the consequences of rejecting Jesus?

For most kids I would simply describe God as a father. They understand consequences of breaking rules - but only to a point.

Provided these are your kids, you discipline them in love but discipline them nonetheless, they'll understand consequences from a father without needing to get too indepth. A father's disapproval can be scary, but never harsh or evil if he's a good dad.

I would find some time they broke your rules and remind them what it felt like to have made you so upset with their choice, and how by breaking your rules they could have been severely injured or hurt. Then say in like manner rejection of Christ puts a person in a position where they can be injured or hurt, and God wants to protect them from such consequences...

Loriess · Apr 8, 2021

Children of all ages need to be properly informed. It is never too late or too early to study any scripture, you just need to choose pedagogical methods that would not be traumatic for children. Peace.

GOD Shines Forth! · Apr 8, 2021

Carl Emerson said:
What about the consequences of rejecting Jesus?

I was aware of that from a young age and it troubled me. The Lord made use of that troubling!

myriamDo78 · Apr 11, 2021

I guess they are never too young

Walk together · Jul 1, 2021

I have been feeding my son the truth before he could understand. It's never too early but we can run the risk of it being too late.

Walk together · Jul 1, 2021

ViaCrucis said:
There has never been a time in my life that I haven't believed. My mom sang to me, and both my parents taught me stories from the Bible and told me about God's love in Jesus--the Gospel--from the time I was in diapers, or even when I was still in the womb.

Our Lord said to suffer not the little children to come to Him. Parents brought their young infants to Him, and He blessed them.

There is no inappropriate age. The word of God is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword.

Just earlier today I was thinking about a dream I had when I was a small child, it's the oldest dream I can remember, and is one of my oldest memories--I was maybe three or four years old. In that dream I was in a small simple room, with small tables with high chairs with other children my age at each table. Sitting at the table I asked the other child at my table what was going on, to which they responded that Jesus was here to give us His cup. Jesus came to my table, I don't remember any of the other children at this point, but there was Jesus, full of love, and a cup in front of me. I don't remember Jesus saying anything, but I knew that here was His cup and I could drink from it, or not. Then woke up.

I try not to put stock into dreams, visions, and personal experiences. But this particular dream has always stuck with me the entirety of my life. Maybe it means nothing, maybe it means something--but it certainly has always meant something to me personally.

The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

-CryptoLutheran

I think your dream has a very powerful message and you are willing to share thank you and God bless.

When are children too young to hear the Gospel?

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