Child evangelism

[evangelist6589]

In the bible there is little support for the level of churches and materials aimed at doing this. I do not think there is anything wrong with this ministry it's just when people neglect to evangelize to men but rather to children is where there is. Problem. Back at BJU I can think of a dozen students that would much rather be doing children's evangelism and setting up camps and sports parks and so forth over witnessing to men. Looking at the book of Acts I do not find support for this nor do I from the life of Jesus and Paul.

Grew up Arminian but moved towards Calvinism after school and the more Reformed colleges and seminaries are doing things closer to the biblical model.

 

[Rolfe]

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 19:14.

 

[Scarlett O.]

In 2015, evangelizing to everyone is so very important. I'm not sure why you left out evangelizing women, but I don't think it was intentional.

Today's children are often times the only ones in the family open to the gospel. I've seen entire families come to Christ beginning WITH the child.

Everyone should be evangelized.

 

[Deacon]

"...and then he laid hand on them."

Jesus would be arrested today!

The benefits of early Christian education is vastly underestimated and the rewards so great.

Rob

 

[gigabyte71]

Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. Deut. 31:12-13 NIV

Is this a Biblical mandate for evangelizing children, not sure, but I wouldn't want to stand in the way of someone who wanted to teach children the Word of God, so that they might 'fear' Him.

One thing I would say, I have seen a lot of children and youth ministries are nothing more than activities, no teaching of God's word. Those types of ministries need to be weeded out of the Church. For example, do you have a youth group who plays softball together as an activity, or do you have a softball team that might occasionally dig into God's word.

 

[Van]

Train up a child in the way he should go...
Building a foundation of knowledge concerning God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit using Biblical stories is what we are commanded to do.
Those that hinder such activities, according to Jesus, are fashioning a millstone as a dubious flotation device.

 

[InTheLight]

In the bible there is little support for the level of churches and materials aimed at doing this. I do not think there is anything wrong with this ministry it's just when people neglect to evangelize to men but rather to children is where there is. Problem. [sic]

Yep, criticize someone else's evangelistic techniques. Always a good thing to do. It's the Master's Way or the highway, I guess.

 

[InTheLight]

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 19:14.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Evan6589: "...but not to children."

 

[Rolfe]

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Evan6589: "...but not to children."

Apparently Vacation Bible School, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Awana, and the like are wastes of time.

 

[Revmitchell]

Probably one of the more pathetic ops.

 

[Rolfe]

I think Evan's Ignore List is soon to grow after reading this thread's responses.

 

[evangelist6589]

Most failed to read the OP. I said there is nothing wrong with child evangelism. It's just when people overemphasize it and place it more important than evangelizing men and women when there is. Problem. Get out instructions from the book of Acts.

 

[InTheLight]

Probably one of the more pathetic ops.

Didn't miss his trademark though.

Grew up Arminian but moved towards Calvinism

Gotta mention the "C" word somehow, some way.

 

[evangelist6589]

In 2015, evangelizing to everyone is so very important. I'm not sure why you left out evangelizing women, but I don't think it was intentional.

Today's children are often times the only ones in the family open to the gospel. I've seen entire families come to Christ beginning WITH the child.

Everyone should be evangelized.

I said that. But the model in Acts is men. Yes women are also to be evangelized. Hmm yes kids are often the only ones open to the gospel, however as a Calvinist I believe God draws His elect to salvation and my duty is just to preach the gospel. It does not matter who is open to the gospel, for God will grant faith and repentance to some. I know you do not agree and so our philosophy of evangelism will differ.

I have seen countless kids whom claimed to come to Christ grow up a false convert and so they are not saved. One problem is that most child evangelism does not preach the full gospel. Does not preach the LAW (Read Romans 2) Hell, repentance, etc...

 

[evangelist6589]

Probably one of the more pathetic ops.

There is. Cottontail rabbit in your yard wanting to play catch with him. Go chase him!!!!!

 

[evangelist6589]

"...and then he laid hand on them."

Jesus would be arrested today!

The benefits of early Christian education is vastly underestimated and the rewards so great.

Rob

Do you see it in the book of Acts? I sure don't. Does that mean it's not important? No. But it's not as important as evangelizing men.

 

[evangelist6589]

Train up a child in the way he should go...
Building a foundation of knowledge concerning God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit using Biblical stories is what we are commanded to do.
Those that hinder such activities, according to Jesus, are fashioning a millstone as a dubious flotation device.

Read my OP again.

 

[InTheLight]

I have seen countless kids whom claimed to come to Christ grow up a false convert and so they are not saved. One problem is that most child evangelism does not preach the full gospel. Does not preach the LAW (Read Romans 2) Hell, repentance, etc...

Evan6589: "Only Way of the Master is an effective evangelistic tool, although it's personally never worked in my efforts."

 

[PreachTony]

I said that. But the model in Acts is men. Yes women are also to be evangelized. Hmm yes kids are often the only ones open to the gospel, however as a Calvinist I believe God draws His elect to salvation and my duty is just to preach the gospel. It does not matter who is open to the gospel, for God will grant faith and repentance to some. I know you do not agree and so our philosophy of evangelism will differ.

I have seen countless kids whom claimed to come to Christ grow up a false convert and so they are not saved. One problem is that most child evangelism does not preach the full gospel. Does not preach the LAW (Read Romans 2) Hell, repentance, etc...

Yeah, people are only telling children about how Jesus loved them enough to die for their sins. They should be telling them how the only way to be saved is to make Jesus Lord over every aspect of your life, and they should be telling them how failure to exhibit your good works proves you are lacking in salvation. Once these kids announce their acceptance of Christ's Lordship, they should be given the Way of the Master starter kit with Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort action figures.* (Paul Washer, John MacArthur, and John Piper action figures sold separately.)

 

[salzer mtn]

A lot of children evangelism has to do with preachers who want to make a name for themselves racking up converts so they, themselves look good.