The plan of salvation is often included in Bible lessons. Make salvation truths plain when teaching the lesson, memory verses, or songs. Use simple terms and concepts. Avoid using symbolic or theological terms that the child won’t understand (e.g., accept Jesus into your heart).
Each time you explain salvation, stay with one idea or concept. Over a period of time, use different approaches (stories, questions, verses, songs, discussion, books). Use explanations such as belonging to God’s family, being born again, saved, receiving Jesus as Savior, wanting Jesus’ punishment to count for us. Help the children understand these are different ways of talking about salvation.
Verses are listed beside each point below, but using a verse like John 3:16 to explain the plan of salvation is often more profitable than turning to a new verse for each point.
1. Show the child he is a sinner; God said so (Rom. 3:23). The child must understand that he was born a sinner. He must know what sin is and be willing to acknowledge it and be sorry for it.
2. Sin must be punished; God’s punishment is eternal death (Rom. 6:23).
3. Because God loves the child, God sent His Son, Jesus to die for him. Only Jesus’ blood shed on the Cross can cleanse sin (1 Cor. 15:3, 4).
4. When the child believes Jesus died for him personally and receives Jesus as Savior, he becomes one of God’s children (John 1:12).
5. God’s Word gives the child assurance of eternal life (John 3:36).
6. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in the child (1 Cor. 6:19).
7. God wants the child to grow spiritually by reading the Bible, praying, going to church, and telling others about Jesus (2 Pet. 3:18).
Encourage the child to express his trust in Jesus as his Savior by praying to God about it. Make it clear to the child that it is his trust in Christ’s payment for his sins and not his prayer that saves him. Consider giving each new believer one of each of the following: A Gift for You! (RBP4059), What God’s Word Teaches about Salvation (RBP4005), and How to Live the Christian Life (RBP4006). You may also want to use the discipleship book Welcome to the Family! (RBP5255).
