“I haven’t chosen Jesus but I haven’t chosen satan, so, I’m ok…right?”
Children are able to understand and implement many basic spiritual truths. For instance, they understand they are a sinner, they cannot go to Heaven because of their sin, they are separated from God and they must accept the gift of payment for sin through the blood of Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
Children are able to understand and implement many basic spiritual truths. For instance, they understand they are a sinner, they cannot go to Heaven because of their sin, they are separated from God and they must accept the gift of payment for sin through the blood of Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
Many children understand these truths and they choose to accept Jesus payment for their sin~some choose not to accept or are not ready. A few years ago, I learned that some children fail to realize that these truths mean that they are on satan's side or his team. They know they haven't chosen Jesus, but they haven't chosen satan either, so, they think they are in some safe middle ground until they choose a side.
The following illustration has help me on several occasions with just such an audience.
To prep: Make a sign that says, "God" and a sign that says, "Satan."
Place the satan sign above the door you will have all the children enter through. Place the God sign above the other door. If you do not have another door, place the sign on the opposite wall.
Ask: What door did you enter through? (Choose one child to read what it says above the door)
Ask: So, everyone entered through the "Satan" door? (Typically this will stir some comments like, I didn't have a choice, I didn't know, It's your fault-you made us come in that one)
Ask: Did you know that when we entered into the world, we were automatically on Satan's team. We didn't have a choice, just like you didn't have a choice as to which door you entered today.
(Talk about being born after Adam and having the mark of sin)
Say: So we all entered the world on satan's team. Satan is glad to have everyone start out on his team and he does all he can to try to keep you there. He is really good at tricking people into wanting to stay on his team. He is called the master of lies.
Sometimes we don't realized we are on Satan's team because we compare ourselves to others who "sin more than we do" or because we go to church or we know stories from the Bible. But the truth is, we are on satan's team until we choose to be on God's team.
God made a way for you to choose His team. There is only one way to join God's team and that is to believe in His Son, Jesus and choose to accept His payment for your sin (the sin of all mankind).
End with the salvation message and an opportunity to choose to accept Jesus as their Savior.
There are many different wordings and things you can add to this illustration. I pray it helps!
