The Bible has a lot to say about teaching children the faith and bringing them to know Christ. Here is an overview of key biblical principles related to evangelizing and discipling children:
Children can have faith
The Bible shows us that children are able to exercise faith in God from an early age. Jesus himself said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). He did not consider children too young to understand and believe. Elsewhere when children praised Jesus in the temple, he affirmed their worship (Matthew 21:15-16). Paul also referred to Timothy having sincere faith from childhood (2 Timothy 1:5). So scripture affirms that children can have genuine faith in Christ.
Teach children about God from an early age
Several passages speak to the importance of instructing children in the faith from an early age. The book of Proverbs says “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). God told the Israelites when giving them his law that “these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The pattern throughout the Old Testament is parents repeatedly instructing their children in the knowledge of God. In the New Testament, Paul tells fathers to bring up their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). So a key biblical principle is that evangelizing and discipling children should start early in childhood.
Parents have a special responsibility
While the whole church should be involved in evangelizing and discipling children, the Bible places a special responsibility on parents. They are to teach their children about God and raise them up in the faith within the home. As seen above, Moses commanded the Israelites to impress God’s words on their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and Paul called upon fathers to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This parental duty can be traced back to the very beginning, as God said of Abraham “I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice” (Genesis 18:19). Parents have a sacred duty for the spiritual state of their children.
The church community has a role
While parents have the primary duty, the wider church community also has a responsibility to evangelize and disciple children. Paul tells the Corinthians that “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children…I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:14-15). He spiritual parented the Corinthian believers through his apostolic teaching. Similarly instructing children was part of Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The whole church should be involved in teaching children to obey Christ’s commands.
Use age-appropriate instruction
When teaching children we should keep in mind their level of understanding. The apostle John recognized the different spiritual maturity of believers when he wrote 1 John, addressing some as “children” and others as “fathers” (1 John 2:12-14). Paul taught that in understanding we should be like children in evil, but in thinking be mature (1 Corinthians 14:20). Proverbs 22:6 quoted above implies teaching should vary based on the child’s stage of development. So when evangelizing and discipling children, instruction should be tailored to their age and what they are able to understand.
Focus on scripture
The emphasis when evangelizing and teaching children should be on the simple message of the gospel as contained in scripture. The Bereans were commended as noble for examining the scriptures daily to see if the things Paul taught were true (Acts 17:11). We should follow that example and point children to God’s word. The scriptures are able to make one “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). As Jesus prayed to the Father “sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Keeping bible teaching central is vital for the evangelization of children.
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who enables someone to come to saving faith in Christ. Paul said “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). He also affirmed that we are saved by grace through faith, and that faith is itself a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). So we should pray for the Holy Spirit to open children’s hearts to the gospel message. We can plant and water the seeds through evangelism and discipleship, but it is God himself who brings about the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Evangelizing children is a spiritual work dependent on the Spirit.
Set an example of godliness
Our own example speaks volumes when evangelizing children. Paul told Timothy “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Children are watching our lives. We need to model the faith we want them emulate. Paul said “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). There should be congruence between our words to children and our actions. Timothy’s own faith was impacted by the “sincere faith” he observed in his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). Our godly example is a powerful form of evangelization.
Don’t underestimate children
Scripture warns against treating children like they are unable to understand spiritual truths. When the disciples tried to prevent children from approaching Jesus, he rebuked them and said not to hinder children from coming (Matthew 19:13-15). We should not underestimate what God can do in a child’s heart. Jesus praised God for revealing spiritual truths to “infants” that were hidden from the wise (Luke 10:21). While we should adapt our language and instruction methods to their age and maturity, we should not doubt their capacity to comprehend the gospel message if it is presented in appropriate ways.
Respond with joy
We should rejoice greatly whenever children express faith in Christ. The gospels record how people were overjoyed at the triumphal entry when children started shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” in praise of Jesus in the temple courts (Matthew 21:14-16). Jesus himself said “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). We should celebrate children coming to faith like adults. In fact, Jesus said to let them come to him and not hinder them (Matthew 19:14). Childlike faith should be enthusiastically encouraged, not dismissed or downplayed.
In summary, key biblical principles for evangelizing children include reaching them at an early age, parental responsibility, church involvement, age-appropriate instruction centered on scripture, dependence on the Spirit, modeling godliness, not underestimating them, and responding with rejoicing. The Bible encourages bringing children to faith in Christ from a young age and continuing to disciple them throughout childhood in the home and church.
