by Bonnie Aldrich
"Daddy, how do I get to Heaven?"
"Mom, if I lie, does that mean I'm not going to Heaven?"
"Is cheating a sin?"
"Can I ever be so bad that God will never forgive me?"
Are these the kinds of questions your child is asking? If they are, this is good! Questions like these indicate your child is coming to grips with his sinful nature and how his sin affects his eternity in Heaven.
I hope you welcome these questions. You have the opportunity to help your child understand that he can never do enough good to go to Heaven. That's why God sent His son Jesus to take care of your child's sin.
Yes, Jesus did the work to provide forgiveness for your child's sin. But your child needs to respond to the forgiveness Jesus offers to your child.
How do you help your child respond to Jesus?
Your child is living in a culture teaching that there are many ways to Heaven. It is important that your child hears what God says about this and in His words in the Bible.
Here are three ABC-steps to explain to your child what God says about His love, His forgiveness, and His promise for eternal life in Heaven:
A - Admit that I am a sinner and that the result of my sin is death (Romans 3:23 & 6:23).
B - Believe that Jesus loves me and died for my sin (John 3:16).
C - Confess my sin and receive Jesus (1 John 1:9; John 1:12).
If your child expresses to you a desire to ask Jesus to forgive his sins, walk through the "ABC" and read the Bible verses with him. It is important to read from your Bible as you talk with your child so he understands that this is what God says, not just your views on forgiveness. Pray with him as he makes the most important decision of his life.
If you would like someone to assist you in praying with your child, or if you have any questions about what it means to be a Christ follower, please contact Bonnie Aldrich, Children's Pastor, 598-6767 x. 109 or email her at baldrich@pulpitrock.com.
On Sunday, January 18, 2009, at 9:30 a.m., we will have a "God's Family Birthday Party" celebrating children who have become Christ followers sometime during this 2008. Watch The Front Porch and the ekidz newsletter for details.
Child Dedication is parental recognition of a solemn responsibility and trust to raise your child in the nurture and instruction of the Lord. The Dedication Service provides you, as a parent, an opportunity to make this commitment public before God, your friends, and family.
