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Home , Acts 9

SAUL’S CONVERSION

FAMILY NEWSLETTER FEB 23 - MAR 16

THE CREEDS OF STORY IN FOCUS: OUR FAITH ACTS 9:1-22 This year we are focusing on teaching some foundations of our faith. Most of our story choices have been based around the Apostles Creed. This rotation MEMORY VERSE focuses on teaching from the following We encourage families to make scripture memorization statement of faith: a priority in their faith journey! Consider implementing an incentive program as a family to encourage your children in their memorization journey. This can be “I believe in the holy Catholic Church as simple as a sticker chart or even include prizes or and in the communion of saints” special family activity rewards.

Or as we like to paraphrase it for kids: “This means that anyone who belongs “I believe that through my sins to Christ has become a new person. will be forgiven and I will have new The old life is gone; a new life has be- life” gun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

We hope that in this rotation kids will be able to: • Know the story of ’s conversion on the road to • Believe that God changes hearts - He As we explore the topic of conversion can turn even the hardest heart to through the story of Saul it brings Himself to mind the wonderful privilege and • Worship God – for the wonderful work serious responsibility of helping He did in Saul children become followers of Jesus. • Explore how Jesus can change our life This newsletter features an article • Recognize Saul (aka Paul) as a main written by Pastor Lee that helps contributor to the early church and the begin a fresh dialogue about leading our children towards a relationship • Identify that the story comes from the with Christ. book of Acts and it follows the gospels and the into heaven Join the conversation by reading the Celebrate that we can encounter the • article at the end of the newsletter. same Jesus that Saul encountered today BACKGROUND CONTEXT OF SAUL’S STORY: • Jesus ascended to heaven with a command to His followers to witness of Him in all the world after receiving the Holy Spirit. • The Holy Spirit is given to Jesus’ followers at and they proclaimed the mighty works of God in foreign languages • 3000 repented and were baptized • The believers lived in community, worshipping God together and caring for each other • Daily, more people were saved and joined in their fellowship • Peter performed miracles, spoke in the temple, gave glory to God for the healing and pointed to the resurrection of Jesus • Peter called the Jews to repentance for forgiveness of sins • Peter and John were arrested for speaking about the resurrection of Jesus • Peter and John spoke a defense before the Sanhedrin • Peter and John are commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore, and threatened when they refuse to • The believers pray for boldness and are strengthened by the Spirit • Signs and wonders are done by the apostles, and more and more believe • The apostles were arrested by the Jewish rulers and put in prison, but were freed by an angel and told to preach in the temple • When the apostles are found again and told to stop preaching Christ; they refuse and continue preaching Jesus as the Christ • The Jewish leaders are enraged and want to kill them; convinces them to let this movement run its course, for it will fail if it is not of God • The apostles are beaten and commanded again to stop preaching, they rejoice at being worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name • Stephen is arrested and sentenced to death on false charges • Stephen is stoned • Like Jesus, Stephen asks that the sin of his executors not be held against them • Saul (aka Paul) approved of Stephen’s execution • Saul ravaged the church, going from house to house dragging off men and women and putting them in prison • The church scatters, preaching Christ as they go

SOME THOUGHTS ON SAUL’S CONVERSION BEFORE MEETING JESUS: • Saul is breathing threats and murder against the followers of Jesus • Saul is zealous – making it his mission to stop “the Way” in its tracks. He is leading the persecution, going out of his way to track down and arrest followers of Jesus. Damascus was a 6-day journey from , by foot!

SAUL ENCOUNTERS CHRIST ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS • Saul is on his way to Damascus when suddenly Jesus appears to him in a blinding flash of light. • The light is described by Paul as “brighter than the sun” (:13) • Jesus called him by name. Saul was chosen on an individual basis and pursued by God for a purpose – for the good of all God’s people (the building of the church). (Gal. 1:15) • Jesus identifies strongly with His Church; persecuting His people is persecuting Jesus personally. • This encounter with Christ is the basis for Paul’s conversion, and he appeals to it in defense of his apostleship (1 Cor. 9:1) and of the certainty of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15) • Saul is blinded by the light -quite a different picture than before the encounter with Jesus! He was a powerful man bent on destruction of the church, coming into Damascus with authority and determination to arrest all he found; now he is helpless, dependant on others to lead him and totally harmless. SAUL IS TRANSFORMED • The Lord sends Ananias, a disciple at Damascus, to heal Saul • Ananias responds to God’s request by reminding God that Saul of Tarsus has done much evil against God’s people and is in Damascus only to persecute more. • Ananias obeyed, and went to the house where Saul was staying. Ananias believed that God would change the heart of Saul and do what He said in using him to bring the gospel to many, and so he greeted Saul as “brother”. • The Lord tells him again to “Go”, this time giving His reason: “for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” And then He continues (perhaps assuring Ananias of His justice?), “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” • By using Ananias, God also was connecting Saul to the church in Damascus, and giving him at least one advocate to commend him to the believers there. Nothing more is said about Ananias’ role in Saul’s life, but it does say that Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus, and it likely isn’t a stretch to assume that Ananias helped to bring Saul into fellowship with them. • Saul is given physical (and spiritual) sight, and responds by being baptized • Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. This was a physical sign of conversion – of Saul’s spiritual eyes also being healed along with his physical eyes. As Ananias laid his hands on Saul, the Holy Spirit filled him, and he arose to be baptized in response to the salvation he had received. • Saul broke his fast – he now knew and had responded to the revelation the Lord had promised would come in Damascus, and it was time to eat again and be strengthened. • The revelation he received: that God had chosen him to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles and to receive special instruction from Christ. • The whole account is rather ironic and draws attention to God’s sovereignty and His grace. This is one of the most drastic conversion stories in the history of the church, probably the most drastic conversion recorded in . God took a man who was so violently resisting His purposes with everything he had, and not only turned him around, but made him into one of the most fruitful evangelists and leaders the church has ever had; it highlights the truth that there is no one who can stand against God. There is no heart too hard for God to soften, no opposition to His work too fierce for Him to use for His purposes. This story, as with the whole of Acts, gives us assurance that the work Christ has begun, He will complete – “and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD? • God is sovereign. • His plans for His church cannot be foiled • He changes hearts - He can turn even the hardest heart to Himself • He chooses people to do His work • He can afflict and heal people • Jesus is the risen Lord • Jesus identifies closely with His church (persecuting the church = persecuting Jesus)

WHAT RESPONSE DOES THE LORD WANT FROM US? • Worship – for the wonderful work He did in Saul • Faith: • that even in the face of adversity, God works to build His church – His plans cannot fail • that He can bring anyone to faith in Him • that Jesus is continuing to work in the world though He is not present physically • that Jesus knows about and feels the things that His Church is going through • that the gospel is indeed true • Courage to continue proclaiming the gospel and living in obedience to it • Acceptance of Paul and his apostolic authority WHERE AM I GOING ?

GRADE 1-3 GRADE 1-3 PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN GRADE 4-6 GIRLS BOYS A GLOWING LOAVES & FEB 23 THOU ART WITNESS @ FISHES BIBLE TIMES SQUARE 9:30 STUDIO FISHERMANS. COOKING CO. NET A GLOWING STORY @ LOAVES & FEB 23 WITNESS @ NEW CREATION @ BIBLE TIMES FISHES 11:30 FISHERMANS. THOU ART STUDIO SQUARE COOKING CO NET A GLOWING LOAVES & DRAMA @ MAR 2 THOU ART KIDZ RADIO @ WITNESS @ FISHES PALESTINE 9:30 STUDIO SOUL STATION FISHERMANS. COOKING CO PRODUCTIONS NET

MAR 2 COMMUNION SUNDAY 11:00 ALL AGES JOIN THEIR FAMILY FOR THE CHURCH SERVICE.

DRAMA @ MAR 9 KIDZ RADIO @ PALESTINE 9:30 SOUL STATION PRODUCTIONS A GLOWING NEW STORY @ MAR 9 WITNESS @ LOAVES & FISHES CREATION @ BIBLE TIMES 11:30 FISHERMANS. COOKING CO THOU ART SQUARE NET STUDIO A GLOWING GAMES @ MAR 16 WITNESS @ KIDZ RADIO @ BIBLE TIMES SQUARE PALESTINE 9:30 FISHERMANS. SOUL STATION PRODUCTIONS NET

MAR 16 MOVIE @ PALESTINE PRODUCTIONS 11:30 ALL AGES IN THE CHAPEL

CURRENT VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE Thou Art Studio (Preschool/Kindergarten) KIDZ RADIO @ Soul Station Ruth Laflech Andrea Anderst Story @ Bible Times Square – Games @ Palestine Productions Tamara de Vry Craig Weston Drama @ Palestine Productions – Movie @ Palestine Productions Deanna Fuellbrandt Amy Thiessen Loaves & Fishes Cooking Company Preschool Buddy – 9:30 Olga Hammond Christine Glanz Glowing Witness @ Fishermans.net Preschool Buddy – 11:30 Miranda Lee Jennifer Winters Bible Times Square Hall Monitor – 9:30 Rena Bruins Steph Christensen New Creation @ Thou Art Hall Monitor – 11:30 Stephanie McKinnon Jaclyn Hotz SPOILER ALERT!!

OVERVIEW OF STORY @ BIBLE WORKSHOPS AND YoungerTIMES kids will enjoySQUARE an interactive story time using simple games that help them imagine being a part of the Bible Story. This story time will help young children OBJECTIVES: to easily learn and relate to Saul’s conversion. Throughout an entire rotation children learn through a variety of learning styles, repetition and varying story viewpoints. The entire rotation is designed to increase memory retention, dig deep into scripture and inspire a long term faith journey. PreschoolGAMES through Early Elementary students will play games that teach how Jesus can transform our lives. To get the best view of the overall teaching objectives, Games include special focuses on Jesus changing our we’ve broken them down by workshop for you to see. lives from lost to found, alone to part of a family, blind to seeing, scary to peaceful, tangled to untangled.

Upper Elementary students will explore how God made Saul a new person through 3 puzzle type games. THOU ART STUDIO - Discussion will focus on personal application and how God’s transforming power can impact our own lives. ByPRE-K creating a glow-in-the-dark & KiNDER story board, kids will discover how Jesus changed Saul’s heart. DRAMA @ THOU ART STUDIO - PALESTINE GRADE 1-6 There’sPRODUCTIONS not better way to experience a story than to be Using a box of random objects, kids will review the story of part of the story! Younger children will act out parts of Saul’s conversion and then make a transforming Shrinky- the story as the leader narrates and older children will Dink craft that will help them to remember that Jesus perform their very own scripted reenactment of Acts 9. helps us to be a new creation.

LOAVES & FISHES KIDZ RADIO @ COOKING CO. Early-UpperSOUL Elementary STATION students will create their very Saul’s story is filled with adventure. Even after he became a own radio show interviewing key characters in the life follower of Christ he experienced rocky roads. What better of Saul. A few sound effects and scripted prompts will way to learn about Saul than to make a little Rocky Road help kids to dig deeply into the scripture passage. ice cream?!

A GLOWING WITNESS MOVIE @ PALESTINE

[email protected] black lights and glowing paints, students will KidsPRODUCTIONS will watch an animated movie that visits Jerusalem explore how Saul’s conversion changed him into a glowing during the time of the New Testament church. They witness for Christ. Students will then have the opportunity will see first hand a time when Christians were to create a glowing poster that delivers their own message persecuted and will be reminded that God can change about Jesus to others. circumstances. The movie reviews the story of Moses (which was taught last year) and the story of Saul. FOOD ALERT UPCOMING VOLUNTEER Listed below are the foods that will appear during this rotation. If your child has OPPORTUNITIES allergies, sensitivities or restrictions, it is 1 – THOU ART STUDIO – Preschool/Kindergarten the parent’s responsibility to provide an This set of lessons helps our youngest students learn about alternative food option. If you have any the entire Holy Week as they discover that Jesus dies on the further concerns please talk with Andrea or cross and rose again. The teacher in this workshop will lead Marla at least one week prior to the session the children through a variety of simple crafts and story of concern. times. Preschool and Kindergarten children thrive with consistency and feel supported when they feel comfortable LOAVES & FISHES COOKING CO: with the people around them - this leader will be spending Children will be making a Rocky Road ice cream each week with the same group of children. dessert that helps them to tell the story of Saul. 4 Teaching Times (Mar 23 @ 9:30, Mar 30 @ 9:30, April 6 @ • Chocolate Ice Cream 9:30, April 13 @ 9:30) • Pretzels • Hardening Chocolate Sauce • Mini Marshmallows 2 – BIBLE TIMES SQUARE – Preschool/Kindergarten This set of lessons helps our youngest students learn about MOVIE @ PALESTINE PRODUCTIONS: the entire Holy Week as they discover that Jesus dies on the • Pretzels cross and rose again. The teacher in this workshop will lead • Juice Boxes story time, themed games/playtime and snack. Preschool and Kindergarten children thrive with consistency and feel STORY @ BIBLE TIMES SQUARE: supported when they feel comfortable with the people • Kinder Surprise Eggs around them - this leader will be spending each week with the same group of children. 3 Teaching Times (Mar 23 @ 6 – SCHOOL OF INVESTIGATION @ SOUL 11:30, Mar 30 @ 11:30, April 13 @ 11:30) STATION Volunteer will dress up and act as the head The following workshops are part of a themed rotation professor/trainer at the School of Investigation. studying Jesus’ trial. Children have been recruited as Kids will pretend to train as an investigator by investigators and will be collecting evidence that Jesus is playing several games that teach about the innocent of his charge of Blaspheme. Each workshop will help trial of Jesus. One game focuses on listening students gather their evidence and learn more about the story closely to the story, another at creating the of Jesus’ trial. Help the students stay in theme by calling them scene of Jesus’ trial and remembering all the investigators, asking to see their briefcases and notes and details and another game that helps to teach using legal terms. the difference between guilty and innocent. 2 Teaching Times (Mar 23 @ 11:30 – Grade 1-3, 3 – EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT @ LOAVES & FISHES Apr 6 @ 9:30 – Grade 4-6) COOKING CO As a volunteer, you will dress up and act out the role 7 – JUDGE of Mary Magdalene. Through the use of a scripted Get ready for some acting! Dress up as a judge monologue you will tell children about the most significant and use the script provided to set the stage proof you have seen that Jesus is the Son of God – His for Jesus’ trial. Help us wrap up this rotation Resurrection! As you tell the story you will be creating by returning to the stage to host the final trial Orange Pomanders as a reminder of the spices used for the where students will for once and for all prove burial of Christ. 3 Teaching Times (Mar 30 @ 9:30 – Grade that Jesus was in fact the Son of God and He 1-3 Girls, Mar 30 @ 11:30 – Grade 4-6, Apr 6 @ 9:30 – Grade still lives today! 2 Teaching Times (Mar 23 @ 1-3 Boys) 9:30 April 13 @ 9:30 & 11:00)

4 – CROSS EXAMINATION @ FISHERMANS.NET 9 – Pre-K/Kindergarten Buddy – 9:30 Dress up as Peter, an eye witness of the life of Christ and 4 Buddy Times (Mar 23 @ 9:30, Mar 30 @ 9:30 help students fill out an interview worksheet as they cross- April 6 @ 9:30, April 13 @ 9:30) examine you for evidence of Jesus’ innocence. You will tell about Jesus’ life through stories and video clips. 3 Teaching 10– Pre-K/Kindergarten Buddy – 11:30 Times (Mar 23 @ 11:30 – Grade 4-6, Mar 30 @ 9:30 – Grade 3 Buddy Times (Mar 23 @ 11:30, Mar 30 @ 11:30 1-3 Boys, Apr 6 @ 9:30 – Grade 1-3 Girls) April 13 @ 11:30)

5 – PHOTO EVIDENCE @ CHAPEL 11 – Hall Monitor – 9:30 4 Times (Mar 23 @ Using a white screen and a bright light, students will create 9:30, Mar 30 @ 9:30, April 6 @ 9:30, April 13 @ shadow stills displaying bible stories that prove Jesus is the 9:30) Son of God. Each shadow still will be photographed with a Polaroid camera so that the proof can be added to their 12 – Hall Monitor – 11:30 briefcases and presented to the judge at the final trial. 3 Times (Mar 23 @ 11:30, Mar 30 @ 11:30 2 Teaching Times (Mar 30 @ 9:30 – Grade 4-6, Mar 30 @ April 13 @ 11:30) 11:30 – Grade 1-3 Boys and Girls) LET THE CHILDREN COME On the wonderful privilege and serious responsibility of helping children become followers of Jesus. Written by Lee Bertsch. Feb 2014

Introduction I write on this topic with eagerness but also kingdom is infinitely greater than that of any of with caution. There are few things that us, parents included. He sent Jesus to make matter more to us than helping our children to a way for us, not to set up a difficult obstacle become vibrant, trusting followers of Jesus. course in order to weed out those who don’t But though we are inclined to reduce our get it all exactly right from beginning to end. ways of helping to a set of simple fool proof steps, children are unique and salvation We should also reflect upon the fact that the is such a profound experience that such a sovereign work of God in the lives of our formula is hard to find. The scripture remains children is done wisely, lovingly, tenderly, our sufficient guide in all matters of faith and firmly, and persistently. Our role is to be practice, but it does not offer a precise set of partners with and instruments of the Holy instructions that pertain specifically to helping Spirit who does the real work of transforming children respond to the gospel. There are, the human heart and making us alive to God. however, a number of biblical texts that bear From the moment a child is conceived it is upon this topic and which I trust are the good to be praying for sensitivity to that work primary guide in the thoughts I present. of the Spirit, to pray for our own strength to These ideas are not infallible like the model that of which we speak, and to pray scriptures I draw upon and so you are for the Spirit’s prompting for what to say and welcome to dissect, add to, and subtract from when. what I have written as you also prayerfully consider this matter in your own context and in As we observe Jesus working with people we your discussion with others. can discern his sensitivity to the uniqueness of each individual and their situation. We can A Word of Encouragement anticipate the same to be true of the work It is easy for us to be overcome with anxious of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our children. thoughts in this matter, perhaps doubting our So as partners with him, we will want to be own ability to communicate well and fearing attuned to the unique ways that each child what will happen if we do not do everything learns, interacts with others, and processes just right. Let’s pause and remember that their experience of God. God’s desire to bring our children into his Do We Press for a Moment of notion of a singular moment of conversion. A Decision or Lead Them in a Longer person can be dead or alive, born or not born, Process of Conversion? in a kingdom or outside but not somewhere in between. But perhaps those analogies are The experience of conversion can be notably meant to emphasize the contrast between different for children who grow up in a the before and after, and not necessarily the household of faith. Many testify that they can time lapse of that transition. This may being never remember a time when they did not love stretching the analogy too far, but consider Jesus or feel their hearts inclined to him. That the fact that there is a 9 month period in the is not to suggest that they somehow managed womb before birth when all of us consider the to skip over the “all have sinned” part, but that person to be real and alive. Perhaps there their experience of conversion is markedly are situations in which conversion is more of a different from someone like Paul who was for process than a point in time, especially when many years a Christ-hater. we take into account the mental development of children and the environment of faith in There is a second way that conversion which some of them grow up. for children in a household of faith can be different from others. Most would agree that three things need to happen for a person to become a child of God:

1. There are some truths that need to be heard and understood from the Word of God. “Faith comes from hearing the message” (Romans 10:17) 2. There must be a conscious, personal, credible, sincere response to what was heard about Christ, described in the New Testament with words like repenting, believing, receiving, confessing, following or some combination of those words. We also need to give serious consideration to 3. A sovereign work of transformation by the two other statements in the scripture. One of Holy Spirit described in the New Testament Jesus final commands was to go and make as a resurrection (Ephesians 2:5), a new birth disciples. We must not miss the point that (I Peter 1:3), a new creation (II Corinthians Jesus command was not to go and make 5:17), a transfer to a new kingdom (Colossians converts, but disciples. Of course, the making 1:14) plus various other analogies. of a disciple starts somewhere! But we need to keep that beginning moment in perspective We would all agree that points 1 and 2 cannot and make sure we get on with the process of happen in the life of a newborn child. We can helping others become fully devoted disciples also be quite certain that an 18 year old will be of Jesus. fully capable of understanding and responding as outlined in points 1 and 2. As children grow Also, the clearest instruction we have in from newborn to adult, is there some precise scripture concerning our responsibility to moment when they go from “not able” to “fully children is not to “press them to ask Jesus into able” to understand and respond? With all we their heart”, but “bring them up in the training know about child development and our own and instruction of the Lord”. (Ephesians 6:4) personal experience we would conclude that The long term process is emphasized over to be most unlikely. It is most often the case a singular “get saved” moment. Of course, that children go from “not able” to “somewhat repenting of sins and believing in Jesus will be able”, to “a little more able” and finally to “fully essential to such training. There is something able”. But all through those developmental unique about the moment when anyone does stages, children may desire to express the that for the first time. But as we learn more stirrings in their heart toward Jesus in some about the scope of our sinfulness and more way. What language and concepts can we about the person of Jesus, we will want to go use to help them understand and respond further in repentance and deeper in our trust. to those stirrings as much as possible? Is This will be particularly true for children who it essential to be able to identify a specific are growing in their capacity to understand moment when, because of what they said and these things. So there is value in periodic did, that is their day of salvation? review and renewal of our commitment to When we look at the analogies of salvation Christ, making it clear that this is not a matter as listed above (resurrection, new birth, entry of being saved all over again. It is interesting into a new kingdom), they all support the to note that when Paul referred to the genuineness of Timothy’s status (II Timothy but a stirring brought about by the Word and 1:5), he described a process in which faith Spirit, you have a book launching. The first was transferred to him from his grandmother entry is made. As much as possible enter the and mother, without reference to a particular actual words used by your child. Right away conversion experience. this does three things:

a) It takes seriously the beginning of something that has eternal implications. b) It makes clear that there is a story to be completed. We celebrate the beginning but we do not make more of it than we ought. c) It provides a natural context for conversation about spiritual things to continue and a safe environment for asking questions.

Such a way of recording the process of becoming a disciple might be valuable in overcoming a problem that many young converters to Christ often experience. For example, a child asks Jesus into his heart as a 7 year old. That is celebrated as the day of salvation. As that child grows older the memory of that fades and might become a little suspect. What really did I understand? Was I serious? What relevance does that have today when life is so different for me? It has fostered doubt and cynicism among many. But for a 16 or 18 year old to be able to An Idea to be Considered and look over a story covering all the years rather Scrutinized than a single fuzzy memory when they were 7 I am not trained and experienced in working might be a helpful thing. with children so this idea may be of limited value but I offer it up none the less. One time Consider Peter as a case study. at a baptismal service in our church I used a We can pull out several incidents from the two volume book on history to illustrate the gospels and put together an outline of his “before and after” being declared in the act journey with Christ: of baptism. Volume 1 was my story before I a) His initial “come to Jesus” moment. became a follower of Jesus. Now that I am a John 1:40-42 new creation in Christ, nothing more is being written in that book. Thanks to the gracious b) After a miracle of Jesus, he work of Jesus, Volume 2 is now being written confesses his sin and leaves his boat to – a much better story with a much happier start following Jesus. (Luke 5:1-11) ending! c) In a moment of fresh insight, he confesses his belief in Jesus as the Would something of that order be helpful Christ, the Son of the Living God. as you guide your children in developing a (Matthew 16:13-17) vibrant relationship to Jesus? You could d) When people by the thousands begin a journal-like process for each of your turned away from following Jesus, Peter children, using an actual book with a heading: declared that he was committed to go “The Story of Jesus and Me” or “The Story with Jesus. (John 6:60-69) of Jesus and (Child’s Name)”. In that book e) Peter has an encounter with the Holy would be recorded every new development or Spirit on two occasions. (John 20:22 & response that the child makes to the truths of :1-4) scripture and particularly the person of Jesus. Regardless of the age of your child, the first We may choose to identify a particular time they express voluntarily their desire to moment in that story as Peter’s real trust Jesus or to become a Christian, and you conversion. Or we may simply rejoice in the sense it is more than pressure from an older reality that “he who began a good work in us sibling or a desire to please mom and dad, will carry it on to completion”. (Phil, 1:6) Ways to Speak with Children about saving work of God in our lives and give the Faith and Conversion impression that it is our efforts in following Consider now a number of different ways Christ that saves us. that the scripture gives us to express or conceptualize our relationship to God. It III. I will go to Jesus and be included in is good to be familiar with several of them something great he is doing. because one child may grasp the truth more A prominent biblical reference here readily with one expression and another would be II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if child in a different way. Or by using several anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; ways to describe it, children will have a fuller the old has gone, the new has come!” understanding of their relationship to God. Other biblical references that offer a similar emphasis are those that refer to us becoming I. I will ask Jesus to come to me and live God’s children (I John 3:1-2) or being adopted inside of me. into his family (Ephesians 1:5). We are being You will likely recognize this as the most included in a great family or household. We common way that we, in our tradition, present live in a highly individualistic culture and that the initial step of becoming a child of God. We often spills over into the way we think of being invite people to “ask Jesus into your heart” a Christian. For children to get a start with this or “invite Christ to come into your life”. We sense of joining with Jesus in something great speak that way because the scripture does: he is doing with a whole company of people “Yet to all who received him, to those who has its advantages. In addition children believed in his name, he gave the right to readily relate to the experience of joining up become children of God”. (John 1:12) “… the with and belonging to a group. glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory”. (:27) IV. I am lost in the dark but I will trust Jesus to bring me to a safe place. There is emphasis here on our need of a The most striking reference in this way Savior and what Jesus brings to us when of understanding conversion comes from he comes to live in us, e.g. forgiveness, Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us cleansing, eternal life. However, if this is the from the dominion of darkness and brought us only way we speak of salvation with children, into the kingdom of his Son in whom we have some misconceptions may occasionally redemption, the forgiveness of sin”. develop. E.g. it may encourage the idea that Jesus comes as a helpful addition to The strength of this approach in explaining my life rather than as Lord of my life; it may things to children is that it puts a lot of encourage a perspective of something emphasis on what God does for us to make finished (I now have received assurance a difference. Being lost in the dark because of safe passage to heaven) rather than of disobedience might be a concept that something begun; it may lead to confusion children readily grasp. And it also emphasizes among really young children who wonder how that if Jesus had not come looking for me Jesus can be shrunk to fit inside of them. (Luke 19:10) I would remain lost. Finally this approach includes the idea of being brought II. I will follow Jesus because he asked me to into something great God is doing that and I trust him. includes a lot of other people. This is the most common way that Jesus got things started with people during his V. I am wasting away in a place far from God, time on earth. He made it a general way but I want to go home again. to understand our relationship to him with The biblical references here is, of course, the such statements as: “Whoever follows me story of the prodigal son, or as others urge will never walk in darkness, but will have the us to call it, the story of the waiting father. It light of life”. (John 8:12) There are several may not be the most effective way to introduce advantages, I think, to this terminology in young children to the concepts of salvation as speaking with children: they understand they will not have had much if any experience the idea of following someone and they of willfully distancing themselves from God instinctively know that you follow those you and wasting much of the blessing God has love and trust; it puts more emphasis on Jesus already given. I include it here because it as the master of our lives; it leaves no doubt may be the most effective way to present that when we start with Jesus, we start a life of the gospel to older children who have gone obedience that continues on. through some overtly rebellious stages. I add it also simply to point out that there are many The one thing to guard against in this ways to introduce the meaning of the gospel presentation of the truth is that it is possible that encourage a response. to minimize the grace of God and the Caution about Viewing Faith Perhaps this is timely moment to read Primarily as Mental Assent to Truths something Paul wrote to Timothy: “Yet I am about God not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able There is always a certain amount of to guard what I have entrusted to him for that understanding that precedes our initial day.” (II Timothy 1:12) It is worth pointing experience of God’s salvation. Can we out that Paul spoke of knowing “whom” identify a list of essential truths that must be he believed, not “what”. The two are not understood and believed in order to be saved? completely separable because we do not Would such a list include all or most of the believe in someone like Jesus without knowing following? Would there be others you would certain things about him. But it certainly shifts insist on adding? our focus to a person we trust rather than our mental assent to a set of propositions about 1) God is love and he loves us. God as the means by which salvation is made 2) God’s word is true. effective. In all the stories of conversion in the New Testament, the single most common 3) Knowledge of our sinfulness and element is belief in the person of Jesus. Often its offensiveness to God. it is not really stated how much the individual understood about the salvation process but 4) Understand genuine repentance. they did have a strong inclination in their hearts to love and trust the person of Jesus. 5) Understand the death of Jesus That is what matters most, for as Paul said in as a perfect atoning sacrifice and a Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth victory over death. “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be 6) Understand salvation by grace saved.” through faith and not our own good works. This is suggestive in terms of how we approach children. We can never go wrong 7) Know that Jesus is the Son of in giving them ample opportunity to learn God come as a man and that he is about Jesus such that they will be drawn to the way, the truth and life. him and inclined to trust him. Children will often express a delight in Jesus and even 8) Know what idols are and a love for him before they demonstrate any renounce them. great sorrow over their sinfulness. We should 9) Know what the world represents not do anything to contrive repentance, but and what it means to turn away rather simply encourage children in whatever beginnings with Jesus they are ready to make. from it. As one man said, “Jesus first catches the fish 10) Grasp the extent of God’s offer and then cleans them”. of forgiveness and know how to be assured of that. 11) Knowledge of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. 12) Understand Jesus as Lord and the meaning of submission to him.

We would naturally say that the more a person understands at the point of entry in God’s kingdom, the stronger the beginning. But then we reflect on biblical examples like the thief on the cross who was promised paradise by Jesus after saying only: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” We are not told how much he knew and understood but the impression we get is that it was minimal.