Talking to Your Child About Becoming a Christian

Written by Ken & Kay Parker

This article is courtesy of ParentLife.

As a Christian parent, you are involved in your child’s spiritual growth. Talking about becoming a Christian should be as natural as talking about the week’s schedule.

 The following are some things to consider when talking to your child about becoming a Christian:

Ask open-ended questions, such as, “Why do you want to be baptized?” or “What does being a Christian mean to you?” Do not ask yes or no questions such as, “Do you love Jesus?”

Ask follow-up questions. “Why do you say that?” “What else do you know (think, believe)?” Open-ended and follow-up questions can help you determine where your child is spiritually.

Listen carefully to your child. Is she asking about the temperature of the water in the baptistry, or is she asking about the meaning of baptism?

Avoid giving more information than your child asks for. Keep your answers short and direct.

Do not jump to conclusions. Because a child says she loves Jesus or because she wants to know what the word saved means does not mean she is ready to become a Christian.

Speak in concrete terms. Children are concrete thinkers. Avoid symbols and analogies. The gospel is clear. God’s message of salvation does not need to be compared to anything. It does not need to be symbolized by colors, drawings, or anything else. It is our experience that the phrase becoming a Christian is more concrete and understandable than the words saved or salvation.

Make a distinction between becoming a Christian and being baptized. You may have to do this over and over. Also clarify that your child may only become a member of your church after he has become a Christian.

Remain conversational. Do not let your conversations with your child become lectures or quizzes.

Use the Bible. After all, this is where the plan for becoming a Christian is found! Be sure your child has a Bible and use her Bible to show her how to become a Christian. (See the article The ABCs of Becoming a Christian for suggested verses.)

Encourage your child to express her own thoughts, not what she has been told or what she thinks you want to hear. Good open-ended questions will encourage your child to think for herself and express those thoughts.

Give time for your child to think. Do not be uncomfortable with silence. Assure her that silence is OK and that you have all the time in the world.

Let your child determine when the conversation is over. You will know when this happens. Children have limited attention spans, and it does no good to continue talking when they have “checked out.”

Never use fear tactics or pressure. Perhaps you have been exposed to such in your spiritual journey. Remember the boy at the beginning of this article? You want your child to associate becoming a Christian with joy and abundant life in Christ that begins on earth.

Pray for your child before, during, and after any conversation about becoming a Christian. You may want to pray with your child as you conclude each conversation. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and give you wisdom to know how to talk to your child about becoming a Christian.

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