Is Your Child Ready to Become a Christian?

by Steve Hale

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea' ( Matthew 18:6, NKJV).
This question, 'is your child ready to become a Christian,' is a tough one.
People mature at different ages, and have had varying opportunities for spiritual growth. Whereas one person might be ready at nine, another might not be ready at 14. So, this is tough! How do you help your child make the right decision? Consider these points:

First, is knowledge. How much does your child know about the word and the plan of salvation? Rather than asking a question like: 'Did you know that baptism washes away your sins," you might ask "what does baptism do?" In this way, you are finding out how much your child knows. Of course, they don't have to have a degree in Bible, but they must be cognizant of what they
are doing.

Second is conviction. Is your child truly convicted of sin, and believes he/she is lost? Sometimes, this desire is out of understandable curiosity or because some friends the same age have been baptized. Your child may bring it up once out of curiosity. However, repetitive requests and inquiries probably point to true conviction.
One good way of handling this, should your child not bring it up repetitively is to make this deal with him/her. If they don't bring salvation up again, promise to do so with them at their birthdays until they are ready. Of course, this is not done in a badgering way, but just so interest is not lost.

Third is maturity. Parents know better than anyone else the individual maturity of their children. We all know that some children are more serious and studious than others. Such children come to this age of decision more quickly than others.

Fourth is prayer. When we are talking to our children about this most important of all decisions, we should pray with them about it. James said: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it wfll be given to him' ( James 1:5).
We have an excellent video in our library entitled 'Is Your Child Ready" by David Sain. I recommend it to you as well as this article.

June 2, 1996

Related Articles:

Baby Talk -Mar 27, 2005
When Was Naaman Cleased? -Jul 27, 1997
Becoming a Christian -Jan 01, 1997
Sweeter than Honey -Oct 08, 1995
Is Baptism Merely a Symbolic Act? -Jun 11, 1995

Print this Article

Discuss this Article

Back to the Sermon Page



Is Your Child Ready to Become a Christian? by Steve Hale "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea' ( Matthew 18:6, NKJV). This question, 'is your child ready to become a Christian,' is a tough one. People mature at different ages, and have had varying opportunities for spiritual growth. Whereas one person might be ready at nine, another might not be ready at 14. So, this is tough! How do you help your child make the right decision? Consider these points: First, is knowledge. How much does your child know about the word and the plan of salvation? Rather than asking a question like: 'Did you know that baptism washes away your sins," you might ask "what does baptism do?" In this way, you are finding out how much your child knows. Of course, they don't have to have a degree in Bible, but they must be cognizant of what they are doing. Second is conviction. Is your child truly convicted of sin, and believes he/she is lost? Sometimes, this desire is out of understandable curiosity or because some friends the same age have been baptized. Your child may bring it up once out of curiosity. However, repetitive requests and inquiries probably point to true conviction. One good way of handling this, should your child not bring it up repetitively is to make this deal with him/her. If they don't bring salvation up again, promise to do so with them at their birthdays until they are ready. Of course, this is not done in a badgering way, but just so interest is not lost. Third is maturity. Parents know better than anyone else the individual maturity of their children. We all know that some children are more serious and studious than others. Such children come to this age of decision more quickly than others. Fourth is prayer. When we are talking to our children about this most important of all decisions, we should pray with them about it. James said: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it wfll be given to him' ( James 1:5). We have an excellent video in our library entitled 'Is Your Child Ready" by David Sain. I recommend it to you as well as this article. June 2, 1996 Related Articles: Baby Talk -Mar 27, 2005 When Was Naaman Cleased? -Jul 27, 1997 Becoming a Christian -Jan 01, 1997 Sweeter than Honey -Oct 08, 1995 Is Baptism Merely a Symbolic Act? -Jun 11, 1995 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM