what people said...
We
do a class called for Kidsteps for the parents and their kids. This
class was designed to help parents witness to their kids and lead them
to Christ. Our desire at FBC on the Square is to train parents in
evangelizing their kids for Christ. Our hope is to partner with parents
and give guidance and resources to help aid the parents as they
spiritual train their children. We use our large events (such as Sunday
school, VBS, Music Week, Upward Sports and Birthday Party for Jesus) as
a catalyst for presenting Jesus Christ to kids and their need for Him as
a Savior. Our goal is to work along side the parents and encourage them
to raise their kids in Christ. At the end of each service, we have an
invitation time where children and adults can share their decision with
the church.
We take
the gospel very seriously. Our services are as kid friendly as
possible. But when it comes to the invitation, we do it like this. If
you were standing in front of God in heaven and he says "What gives you
the right to come into heaven?" what would you say. We always explain
that you must believe in your heart and say with your mouth that Jesus
died on the cross, was buried, and most importantly was raised from the
dead.
Learn - Follow -
Lead: Once they have learned what it takes to follow in Christ's
footsteps, they will then be able to lead others to do the same. We
strive to provide an environment where our young people grow up with a
passion to further the Kingdom. We work to mold and shape future
leaders in whatever ministry God places them. This is done through
group participation in the service, emphasizing that serving God does
not end with salvation; it is only the beginning. Sometimes we offer an
invitation, other times we talk about what salvation truly means, and
how everyone can be a participant. We are blessed with a devoted group
of volunteers who make every effort to touch the lives of our young
people and the excitement is continually contagious. Of course, it helps
to be using the "Big City"
curriculum to help us emphasize God's plan for us!
Our
children's worship program (pre-k to 1st grade) is a "break-out" from
regular "adult" worship. Actually, we call it a "wiggle-friendly"
worship opportunity, because we use the same text as is being used in
regular worship, but presented in a kid-friendly way with tactile or
craft components. We do not emphasize, as part of the children's
worship, "pulpit calls" for children to speak their commitment to
Christ. It is too easy to "make Christians" without making disciples.
So we endeavor to arm the kids with the tools needed (and time to
practice) discipleship: for worship, we learn the last hymn for the
day, we use our Bibles, we talk about the components of communion. For
fellowship, we are sure that they leave with a "conversation piece"--a
craft or paper or note that they can use to initiate a conversation with
someone else in the congregation (or mom or dad) about the worship
service that day. For mission, we support their JOY in serving others
by giving them opportunities to tithe, send care packs abroad, pray for
other mission teams we send, and witness to people they meet at school.
By the time our children reach 8th-grade confirmation, they have been
waiting for a couple of years to make their profession of faith before
the entire congregation.
ABCs
of Salvation – used in VBS, revisited every 2 months in kids worship.
Seekers in Sneakers Class – every spring and fall, 4 weeks on basic
doctrines and salvation, open to all but it is a pullout class-not done
in kids worship.
We usually give an
invitation at the end of every service. We try to lead up to telling
them or allowing them to understand their need for salvation. That
without it, you cannot go to heaven.
Mostly everyone wants to go there??!! Hopefully and they acknowledge
they have done at least one thing wrong, called sin. We have them raise
their hands if they want to allow Jesus to
be their Lord and we pray individually with them or if there is a large
group, then have them repeat the sinners prayer. Kids are too willing,
it's not like adults. They have ready willing and
tender hearts. It's wonderful to see those hands go up for salvation. We
some times use a skit, a story or scripture to lead up to a conversation
concerning salvation. It's in the program somewhere.
I try to always plan my
lessons / activities to be able to find a spot in the middle of my class
time to give a invitation/ prayer time. This way I know that I wont run
out of time. I also find that, this gives other kids who have made a
decision a time and place to offer to become mentors and help pray, as
well then we can all celebrate with snacks and games afterwards. I try
to show/ teach the children their need for Christ. As well as the hope
in Christ in every lesson /activity. Children need to know they are
wanted (especially in this throw away society) and there is
Hope
in the name of Jesus Christ for a society that has lost there absolutes.
I try to reinforce the name to call upon. God has become so common in
our world there are many gods, religions, but the true
God is Jesus .
There can be no confusion
there.
Immediately
after the time of preaching we extend the invitation. We usually have
someone on the guitar playing as the call is made. We first ask
everyone to close their eyes to pray. Anyone who responds is first
asked to raise their hand. Sometimes we'll have them stand where they
are at or else we have them come up to the front for prayer. We always
have a trained team of youth leaders on hand who will take the children
who responded into the next room where they can pray and follow up with
them.
Generally I give a salvation message and give the children the
opportunity to respond to the alter call by saying "If you've never
asked Jesus into your heart but you would like to today, raise your
hand...now if you raised your hand I would like for you to come up front
with me so I can pray with you..." Kids come to the front and I lead
them in the sinners prayer. I remind them that Jesus said if you
believe in your heart and confess with your mouth... I encourage them to
tell somebody about the decision that they made. Then a worker from the
children's department leads them into another room where they go over a
take home page that explains salvation and a decision card is filled
out...the following week I send a letter to the child to congratulate
them in the decision that they made and encourage them to call if they
need to talk.
When kids begin asking
questions about being saved and getting baptized, we encourage them
(along with their parents) to meet with one of our Children’s Ministry
leaders or go through our Salvation/Baptism/Communion Class. During
this meeting/class, we talk about what it means to accept Jesus as your
Lord and Savior. We also explain the connection between salvation and
baptism. At this point, children are able to make a more informed
decision as to whether or not they are ready to make a life commitment
to the Lord.
We do not
have a “set” invitation time. The altar is open during our worship time
for them to come up and pray. Every time the Lord has impressed on us to
have an invitation, it has been an awesome moving of the Holy Spirit
with many decisions! I believe with (our) children if you offer an
invitation each week, then every week they will come because we expect
them too.
We will play a worship
song, and talk with the kids about what it means to ask Jesus in your
life. We bring the message to a child's level and have the ones who
want to ask Jesus to be Lord in their live to either stand or we are in
a group and we ask everyone to pray together.
We have a large
group lesson that focuses on a salvation message. Then when the kids go
into their small groups, the small group leader shares the plan of
salvation again and gives kids another opportunity to make the most
important decision of their life. If a child prays to receive Jesus,
then that decision is shared with the whole group and the parents when
they are picked up. An opportunity for the child to go through a
discipleship book with their small group leader is given before baptism.
The invitation may be
given in a large setting, but they are always sent to an individual
volunteer and the prayer of salvation is offered that way. First, they
must know what sin is (anything you think, say or do that breaks God's
law) and they have done it. Second, they must know they deserve to be
punished for their sin. Third, they must know that Jesus was punished
for them. Last, they must be ready to turn away from a life of sin and
be willing to do what is right. If we can discern that they truly know
these four things we lead them in a prayer of dedication to the Lord.
In children's church
I typically do not offer an invitation because I believe too many young
children would respond not knowing what they are doing. In children's
church I make myself available after the service if children would like
to talk to me. I also encourage children to talk to thier parents .
VBS and camps is another story. We definitely offer an invitation.
There it is "go to the back to talk to someone" so that only children
who are serious go back.
We use stories of
salvation. Illustrations, object lessons, magic, power point and just
about any creative method possible to make salvation attractive and
desirable. Last Sunday we used a master story illustrated with rope
magic (Lesson called: Ropes of Repentance) and 20+ came to Christ.
When giving a kids'
invitation, I first ask all kids to bow their heads and close their
eyes. Then I ask kids to look up at me and make eye contact if they
have questions or aren't sure about trusting Jesus as their savior.
Then I do one of two things. I most often simply ask those kids who
want to talk about trusting Christ as their Savior to find me or another
leader immediately after we pray. This doesn't get much response, and
sometimes I like it that way. I don't want kids to feel too pressured.
But sometimes I want kids to be highly encouraged to move. On those
occasions, I have all kids stand up together and ask those who looked at
me to walk to the back of the room where leaders are waiting to counsel
them.
I do not give an invitation every service for a public response.
However, I do occasionally when I feel or see a child that I believe is
ready to respond. Most of the time, I have counseled children in
advance. If I have not counseled with them one on one before they
respond publicly, then I will make an appointment to counsel with them.
I use 2-3 different methods of presenting the plan of salvation to a
child. When talking with them one on one, I try to listen to them
carefully and to watch body language as much as possible to try to
discern if they understand what is taking place in their life. And of
course, I do all of this under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and total
dependence that He will allow me the wisdom and discernment as I counsel
with a child. I also always bring the parents in at some point to make
sure that they are aware of what is taking place in their child's life.
I actually had a child this past summer who came into my office for
counseling. I had the privilege of leading her to the Lord, Then, as her
Mother sat and waited for us, she began to ask questions and I had the
privilege of leading the mother to the Lord also.
Each week we have a worship segment toward the end of our service. One
of our teachers gives a 8 to 10 minute thought that ties in with the
lesson. We try to focus on how God can help them in a time of need or
salvation itself. The children are encouraged to come up and pray for
their needs (salvation, strength, family etc.).
In an invitation we say if you have never
asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come to lin your heart ever
before raise your and or come forward.
Then counselors take them one on one. We
ask these questions to determine if they are ready.
- Why did you come forward?
- What is sin?
- What do you want to ask Jesus to come
into your heart.
- Why did Jesus come?
If they do not understand what sin is and
the need to be forgiven how can they get saved?
If you and the Holy Spirit determine they
are ready we lead them in the salvation prayer making sure it includes
(repentance, invitation into heart, Making Him boss, and assurance of
salvation. We shout and rejoice that the angels in heaven are dancing
because their name is now written in Gods book of life. "We introduce
them and give them a booklet and then mail the decision sheet with
explanation of why we felt like they were ready. We also fill out a form
if we feel like they are not ready and why that is sent to the parent so
they have record of where they children are and how they are responding
to God.
For every invitation or even coming for
prayer we ask, have you asked Jesus into your heart? If they say yes we
ask, Can you tell me when that was and how it happened. So that they
know there was a time in their life where they moved from darkness into
light, where Jesus came into their hearts and they made him boss. So
the devil cannot lie to them.
I feel there are 3
major types of altar calls and we try to hit all 3 as the Spirit leads.
This may be done after the "sermon" (however that's presented) or a
great time is after the worship songs. We are in His presence and the
kids seem to be more sensitive at that point.
The types are:
-
To cover the
topic/subject/concern of the day.
-
Felt needs. I'm
not talking flannel graph, but what's troubling them.
-
And of course
salvation.
Do we hit all three
every service? Not always. I really like it when kids pray for kids and
try to do that as much as possible. There is something powerful about
that; not only for the recipient, but for the one praying as well.
Whenever a child comes to the altar I use my Jr. Staff (trained in altar
work) to pray with each child individually, asking them what it is they
are praying for. You never know, they may want to pray for something
totally different than what you gave the altar call for. And that's ok,
because that too is important to God. We've prayed for lots of animals
this way.
During our prayer
time for the service it's important for us to pray for fruitful altar,
because it is the climax of that service. It's what we work for all
week; we don't teach a particular topic unless we want our children to
make the application to their life. They deserve the opportunity to
make that decision and with children that has to be done immediately.
It can't be after they get home or next week; there are too many other
things competing for their time and attention. Altar calls are necessary
and important. And if we as children's leaders fail to bring them to a
decision we fail them as leaders.
After sharing a gospel presentation, we
allow children who have more questions to come to a leader who will then
talk with them one on one.
I like to schedule a time to meet with
the child who has been inquisitive about salvation/baptism. I go to the
child’s home normally and share an interactive tract that covers God’s
plan from the fall to baptism to growing in Christ. I usually try to do
this with the parents present. I have found that sometimes the parent
realizes that they have never made the decision to come to Christ. I
once had the privilege of leading a mother and a daughter to Christ and
they were baptized together a few weeks later.
We always have a
Bible lesson surrounded by worship and activities. At the close of the
Bible lesson we have prayer and some type of invitation—children can
pray at their seats, we invite them to the front, we gather in groups—it
varies, depending on what the Bible lesson was. If it was on
forgiveness, we focus prayer on that. If it was on salvation, we do an
altar invitation. If it was on prayer, faith, etc., then we decide
accordingly.
2 ways…
We present the Salvation message after the main lesson, trying to tie it
into the days teachings, and we also break into small groups and give
the kids opportunity there.
We generally present
the Gospel very simply and ask the kids to respond by raising their
hands and then we take the time to talk with them to make sure they
understand what it is all about.
It
varies. I try to bring each service down to a point of decision as to
what they intend to do with the message that has been communicated.
Sometimes that is a more traditional altar call with the raising of a
hand or come forward. Sometimes I ask them to quietly do a self
evaluation without any outward sign of whether or not it applies to
them. For Salvation appeals I usually have them respond in some outward
fashion followed by having them repeat a prayer in the ABC format
(Admit, Believe, Confess) and then will conclude by praying over them
personally or as a group.
Usually I ask the
children when I only have 1-3rd grade together. I sometimes ask how many
of them have accepted Christ and how many have been baptized. I then
invite anyone who would like to talk to me or one of the other teachers
to talk to us at the end of the worship time. This is usually at the end
of a lesson about salvation, making Christ the Lord of your life etc. I
also meet one on one with kids in my office if their parents ask me to.
When I
write curriculum I design a lesson that builds to the conclusion that
the children need a Savior and it is Jesus. We then give an invitation
that is clear and at their level and ask them to pray along with us if
they are sincerely ready to ask Jesus to be their Savior, we then ask
them to come and speak to a teacher or leader afterwards to share their
good news with us. Sometimes we use a testimony and then an invitation.
I will
present the Gospel throughout children’s worship, but very rarely do I
give an invitation in a mass setting to kids. A Biblical “invitation”
will speak to repentance for salvation not just if they want to go to
heaven or to say a prayer. It is important the child have a repentant
heart rather than an emotional or peer-pressured decision. This is why
you need to be responsible and diligent if you do give an open, large
group response time.
We do
give invitations for salvation on a frequent basis in Children’s
church. I was saved when I was five years old and I know the impact of
salvation at a young age. After our lesson, we lead the children in a
time of worship and ask for a response. Our altar workers, usually our
sponsors and older teens are in place at the front. If a child comes
forward, the sponsors have been trained to lead a child to Christ. Once
they have prayed together, all who have responded are prayed over by
myself and then taken to a small room to receive further instruction and
are told of a discipleship follow up that will be coming their way in
the mail. The discipleship program is for the parent and child to do
together and covers salvation, water baptism, living a Christian life
and heaven.
We have all the
children bow their heads and close their eyes. We then ask them to
raise thier hand if they would like to accept Jesus into their lives.
Sometimes, depending on the message, we may ask them if they would like
to make Jesus their king, boss, accept Him into their heart, or some
other way. The kids who raise their hands along with everyone else are
led in a prayer, which states that they believe he lived, died, and rose
from the grave for them so that their sins could be forgiven. The
prayer goes on to say that they turn away from their sins and turn to
Him and want to live for Him all the days of their life. They are
encouraged to confess that they accepted Jesus to someone - their
parents, pastor, and/or friends. They are encouraged to come to church,
read their Bible, and get to know their Savior and Lord (boss).
We believe that
Scripture shows Christ used a variety of methods to spread the news of
the Kingdom, allowing people to respond to His call to relationship with
Him. As well, the Holy Spirit lead the apostles to use everything from a
personal counseling situation (Philip and the Ethiopian) to a large
group Gospel presentation (Pentecost) to encourage people to seek
forgiveness from sin through a risen Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, we
use a variety of methods:
1.
Personal:
Individual counseling
with grade school students (1-6) one-two times per year to see where
they are in their journey to either discover Jesus as their Savior, or
to walk obediently with Him if they have already made that decision.
(Note: I put together a counseling sheet that helps the counselor
evaluate whether the student has made that decision, if so, if they need
counseling for assurance or have any prayer needs, if not, how to lead
them to Christ.) Counseling one on one is done in a fully observable
area so we do not have issues with potential abuse.
2.
Small Group:
Teachers (both Sun.
morning and Wed. night) are trained in how to present the Gospel, either
as a stand-alone invitation, or how to use their Bible stories to lead
into an invitation to receive Christ. They are encouraged to do this no
less than once per quarter.
3.
Large Group:
We regularly present
the Gospel and an invitation to receive Christ in our large group
formats, both on Sun. mornings and Wed. nights. We also ask special
performers and speakers who come in to include this in their
presentations.
One tool I use is
the Evangecube. It is visual and the kids love it!
We bring youth to Christ through teaching and one on one sessions. We
do talk about following Jesus' example through faith and baptism. Yes
the steps are simple, but this is a decision of a lifetime and they need
to know what they are doing and why. We as many as 10 different groups
in our children's program. We talk about a decision and on Sunday
during the WAVE, Junior Church, 5th and under, we actually serve the
Lords supper to those who have made a decision to follow Christ, having
faith in Him and being baptized. When we serve the Lord's supper each
Sunday we discuss the importance and meaning of the Lord's Supper. The
child or youth is the one who begins to talk to their parents about
being baptized and/or comes to the teacher. Then myself or the parent
will help the child through a booklet in order to make sure the
child knows what the child is doing and why. I feel parents permission
is essential or I hope is possible. The Booklet we use is simply
titled, "Preparing for Your Journey as a New Christian". This booklet
is a five session booklet. This booklet is one the church has put
together for just this purpose. Once the five sessions have been
completed and they are ready as the minister and parents agree, if
possible. Then the child or youth will give a public acknowledgement of
faith in Jesus Christ by the voicing Peter's Good Confession, "'I
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Live God', and My
Personal Savior." (Mark 16:16) and then will follow Jesus' steps of
Baptism.
For the past three
years we have used the method suggested by the Promiseland curriculum,
where children are presented the gospel in large group (The A - B - C's
) and asked in small group it is explained that all of us are at one of
these places 1. they have already accepted Christ. 2. they ready to
receive Christ today or 3.they still have questions. Small group leaders
talk with their kids about where they are (kids fill out a form) When
a child receives Christ a letter goes home to parent with contact info
if they have questions.
We try to pay
attention during our small class prayer times & then follow up 1 on 1
after class.
When I talk to
children about coming to the Lord, I ask the children to close their
eyes and then I touch on the key points of my lesson as music is playing
quietly. I then talk them through the way to repentance, pray a short
prayer over them, and then invite them to come to the front of the room
to pray. When I pray individually with a child, first I ask him/her
what they want me to help them pray for. If it is salvation, I ask them
if they have asked Jesus to forgive them for the wrong things that they
have done, then I guide them to ask Jesus to come live in their heart.
When they have done those two things and have prepared their heart for
Jesus, I take them through the 4 steps of worship. The four steps of
worship are: close your eyes so you are not distracted by anything or
anyone; turn your face up to Jesus so He can see your sweet face; raise
your hands up high like your giving Him a great big hug; and then talk
out loud to him and let Him know how much you love Him.
After the message we
have a prayer time for kids who want to apply today's lesson to their
lives to make a commitment. We give kids an opportunity to make a
commitment to Christ anytime we ask for any other commitment. In truth,
we see a commitment to Christ as essential to any other step in
following Christ. We do NOT use a cookie-cutter, always the same
approach, sometimes leading a group "repeat-after-me" prayer, sometimes
inviting kids to seek out an adult leader during prayer time for the
purpose of having a more one-on-one experience in prayer, and at other
times asking kids to stand to acknowledge their need to make a
commitment then having them come forward after the dismissal, where we
have all those interested go with one leader who prays with the group.
I do not extend an
invitation every week. I try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as to
when to do it. I ask the kids to bow their heads, then ask for the ones
that know they have asked Jesus into their hearts to raise their hands.
Then I ask if you didn't raise your hand but would like to know how to
ask Jesus into their hearts and want me to pray for them to raise their
hands. After giving them a chance to respond, I do as I said I would do
and I pray for them to have the courage to let someone show them how to
be saved. I don't say "amen" at the end of the prayer, and I pause and
say for the ones that responded to the last question to look at me. I
generally know which ones, so I look at them and ask "would you let
someone show you how to accept Christ as your Savior". Most of the time
they shake their head "yes" and then I tell them to get up and go to the
back of the room where my workers are waiting to take them out to a
quiet place and deal with them individually. This has always worked
well as they are not in the front of the room and it gives the workers
time to make sure they understand what they are doing and why they are
doing it, after all, eternity is at stake!
We're really careful
about presenting the gospel in a way that asks kids to pray out loud or
raise their hands. We have found the "flipper flapper" from CEF to be
the best tool, combined with the color bracelet. We present the old
fashioned wordless book in a really cool new way. Each kid leaves with
a flipper flapper and those who have already prayed to accept Christ are
challenged to help the new kids understand it, and/or pray for other
kids to understand it while it's presented. After offering the
explanation we ask kids if they have questions, those who raise their
hand are removed to a central location with one-on-one or 2/3/4 on-one
counselors. Every child who prays gets a Bible in a bright red bag.
That helps adults see them and congratulate them on their decision.
(Youth get green and adults get teal)... inside that bag is another
flipper flapper to give to a friend, a tract explaining their decision,
a bracelet to wear with the colors so they can tell everyone they know,
and a baptism class invitation. Once a year we offer a huge celebration
for kids who have accepted Christ to celebrate. Kind of like a Birthday
party. Just an annual "I'm on God's team" party. We try very hard to
have salvation prayer time just as parents are arriving so that if a
parent wants to be a part of it, they can sit with the child. And we
ALWAYS offer for a child to wait and pray at home with mom or dad. I'm
looking forward to hearing other people's stories. Sometimes we mix it
up with ABC's and other simple lessons, but we always seem to come back
to the wordless book.
At our church we
usually go from the lesson or what we have taught about and have an
alter call for that particular lesson and then also wrap into that a
salvation alter call. Doing the lesson alter call then saying or maybe
you don't have a relationship with God and you are not sure what we are
talking about and you want to receive Christ in you sand live with him
and for him for eternity; the Bible says in Romans 10:9 "If you confess
with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the then you shall be saved." All it takes is
asking Christ to be Lord of you life. If you want to do that today raise
your hand. The you lead them into the sinner's prayer.
When I am doing the lesson for the day, I will sum it up with the
wonderful work the Lord does in the example we used in our lesson. I
open up the floor to the kids to pray for those that were referenced by
the lesson given. Then that opportunity opens I then ask all children
the ultimate question about who they think God is, and what is so
Special about who he is and what he does in our lives. This then
spirals into the sinner's prayer and a celebration for the children
giving their lives to Christ or rededicating their lives. There is
always a child in the classroom needing refreshment or just to know God
loves them.
