Presenting the Gospel to Children I

We’re diverging from our series on the influence of the Puritans on the Great Awakening (US) and the Evangelical Revival (UK) and focusing on God’s work of regeneration in children.

When presenting the gospel to children, we’re really not dealing with anything unique. It’s the same spiritual need in a young person as in an adult. It’s the same gospel, the same Savior, the same work of regeneration.

But we recognize there are peculiar needs when dealing with children. We want to bring these truths to them on a level they can understand. There will be certain differences in what they are aware of.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843) pastored in Dundee, Scotland, an under-churched area with many poor families. There was a revival in the midst of his ministry. At the height of this revival, there were thirty-nine different prayer meetings each week!

In Another Lily Gathered, M’Cheyne tells the story of James Laing, a young boy brought to Christ under his ministry. His story is a wonderful reminder of God’s goodness. We’d like to encourage you to pause the episode and read this story—or to read it on your own afterward. Read it here.

Born in 1828, James was a quiet, reserved child. He was never outwardly wicked like other boys may have been, yet he carried the same sinfulness within. At 11, he showed concern for his soul.

When his dad read the Bible during family worship it was like a “fire in his soul.” But James always found a way to distract himself from what was bothering him.

By 13, he was growing sickly. While away from home, he heard a sermon that caused him to weep. However, simply being bothered about your soul is not the same as being in Christ.

James asked his sister, “Is it true that I have only to believe that Jesus died for sinners? Is there nothing else for me to do?” 
Margaret answered, “It is true.” 

When he read Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” he said he was not afraid to die now because Christ had died for him.

What changed in James?

  • His love for the Word. He especially loved Romans 5, Psalm 103, Psalm 116. M’Cheyne and others would visit him and read the Word to him. James was hungry for Scripture.

  • He loved to sing. 

  • He loved to pray. He could not leave his bed to see others, but he could pray for them. He couldn’t take the Lord’s Supper, but he was not bothered because he knew he would soon be seated at the Heavenly Table himself.

  • He spoke openly to his friends and encouraged them not to wait to seek the Lord.

  • James himself was poor, but asked his sister to give his pair of nice shoes and pants to one of his poor friends. He also asked her to take the few coins he had to go toward buying Bibles for those who couldn't afford it.

James “went to sleep in the Lord,” happy to be with his Savior. 

A reminder to children: No one is too young to embrace Christ.

A warning to parents: Do not go to church and present yourselves as Christians, but live differently at home. Your children are not too young to be converted. Don’t mishandle their souls. Is your house characterized by godliness, by worship? Or by family quarrels, unholy companions, dirty jokes, and worldliness?

Do not act as if God cannot regenerate children. He is able and willing to save.

 

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Behold Your God PodcastCourtney Brewer