Evangelism to Children—Children Need the Gospel, Too
Children need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, too. They are accountable for their souls once they reach the age of accountability. They need salvation just as much as adults, and we should not neglect children in evangelism and discipleship by despising and overlooking them.
Satan targets children early; we should too
Last year, I was evangelizing to some children in my neighborhood. They were aged around 5 to 12 or thereabouts. It was a Sunday, and I was asking them about Sunday school and which churches they attended, and what they learned that day. I was horrified to discover that most of these kids, although they attended church (but some didn’t), didn’t know clearly who Jesus was and what he did on the cross or what being born again meant. They were clueless. It made me question just what kids are taught in church these days.
As we talked some more and I asked them more questions about the games they play and talked to them about sin and not playing video games or watching some TV programs or playing certain games, they began to tell on one other. Some were telling me that their friends watch violent video games in a next-door cyber cafe that involve shooting and killing characters. These kids aren’t from well-to-do homes, so most of them go to play video games in a cheap cyber cafe.
I told them these games are not pleasing to God because murder is a sin. I also told them they lead to bad dreams and teach bad behavior, and belong to the devil. Others among them were addicted to soap operas, insulting one another as they played games, refusing to forgive each other, stealing their parents’ money in the house, etc. It was really bad. So, I asked them what kind of dreams they have at night to prove my point.
I was shocked because many of them told me they dream scary dreams, for example, dreaming of snakes (which signifies witchcraft, by the way).
These little children were already exposed to witchcraft and demonic bondage because of the types of games they play and things they watch. One of the boys told me he loved these violent games, and I could tell he wasn’t interested in what I was saying about quitting them. One small boy (probably around 10 years old) was also absconding from school. His friends told me that he sometimes puts on his school uniform but does not go to school and remains at home watching TV. I explained to him that this is a sin and that he would also not prosper in life with such behavior. He seemed convicted and said he would start going to school.
Anyway I finally explained to them who Jesus is and what he did for them and about heaven and hell, and they were eager, and I prayed for them, and they all gave their lives to Jesus, and I gave them some small bibles and bought them some biscuits, which I had promised them if they listened to me till the end. Some of their moms were there cleaning clothes outside and didn’t have a problem with me engaging the kids.
I went back a few months later and engaged the kids again and taught them some scripture verses, and explained the gospel to some new ones I met. This time, some from the first time seemed to have changed. I’d told them to be praying morning and night, and some were still doing it, and some had quit some of the bad behavior. But the boy who loved video games this time just didn’t want to listen to me and didn’t stick around. He seemed very agitated, and I could tell the demons didn’t want him listening to me, and he ran away.
The gospel is for every creature and not just adults
I noticed even when I’d go evangelizing with my former church mates, many people focus on adults and ignore children, but I always made a point to preach the gospel to kids too because once a child is at the age of accountability, they will go to hell if they are not saved or living in sin. The gospel is for all people and not just adults.
Let’s evangelize to children, disciple them, and teach them the truth of God’s word, not a watered-down version. Let’s not be tricked by the devil into thinking that they are not important or won’t understand the gospel; that is a lie. Jesus counts the soul of a child equal to that of an adult. You won’t get more rewards for evangelizing to adults than children.
Satan knows that when children are saved, most of them will be spared many things as they grow up since the Holy Spirit will come to reside in them, and he hates that. Children can be mightily used by God as well as by Satan. Children are very receptive to evil and to the gospel as well. Sadly though, many children are raised by ungodly parents, and this is why they need to hear the gospel message early. The children of today are exposed to terrible amounts and types of wickedness, and many are already addicted to very bad things, including pornography. They need Jesus early.
One of the greatest evangelists who ever lived, DL Moody, said, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!” There must be something he discovered or realized to say this, and I believe it is that when children find Jesus early, they have a higher chance to grow into God-fearing adults who escape the traps of sin that capture children who don’t know Jesus.
I feel that in my case, too, if someone had taken the time to explain the gospel message to me and how to have a relationship with Jesus, I would not have gone through the terrible life I did. Because I always wanted to know God and I wanted to please him, but no one ever explained the gospel to me or took an interest in discipling me, and so Satan swooped in quickly and captured me as a teenager with all manner of depression and bondage, which led me to sin and trapped me early.
Let’s do our best to reach out to the children we come across by the grace and wisdom of God. Amen.
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