The Gospel in Kid-Speak

• Posted on sdgale
• in 'CHOP Talk' Blog
• on July 29, 2013
• Comments Off on The Gospel in Kid-Speak

My church just finished a week-long Vacation Bible School (the hottest week of the year, I might add).  Kids ages three through nine roamed the grounds of the church for two hours each day.

At the start of each session I had the privilege of opening in prayer and telling a story.  I’m not very good at telling stories and I’m not the best at communicating with kids, despite enjoying kids and having grandchildren.  I once tried my hand at writing a children’s book based on Isaiah 6 entitled, The Angel Who Had Six Wings.  The title caught publishers’ eye.  The writing caught their gag reflex.

Nevertheless, I was excited to tell this story to the children at VBS because it was the story of the gospel.  Each time I would emphasize that this story was not make-believe.  It was true.  And it was the most important story they would ever hear.

I told the story in six chapters, two a day.  For each chapter I included a symbol and a title that I would add to the white board.  Like any good story there was tension, plot development and a hero.   I would start the story anew each day, getting a running start to the next chapter.  Pretty soon the kids knew what was coming and they helped explain the symbols or titles.

They actually seemed interested and engaged, looking forward to the next installment.  I have to chalk that up to prayer.

Six chapters at two a day meant the story was complete by Wednesday.  I left them with a cliffhanger asking them if they want to be part of the story. Tomorrow I would tell them how.

On Thursday I reviewed the whole story with the kids’ help and told them they could be part of the story by trusting in Jesus to save them from their sin and make them a friend of God again (theme of the VBS). Rather than lead them in a prayer (my aversion to Second Great Awakening manipulation tactics), I told them I’d give them a booklet (which included the symbols).  Their parents could read the booklet and explain it to them.  If they were ready, their parents could lead them in prayer to trust Jesus, using the guidelines in the booklet.

At Friday’s closing program with parents present, I had the symbols and titles already on the white board. The kids and I explained the gospel to the parents and visitors.  I told the parents what I had told the kids about the booklet the evening before and informed them each goodie bag had a copy.  I followed up with a letter sent to each home.

Here are the symbols, titles and story line. [Click here to see a copy of the booklet, including the symbols.]

1. [the shining sun, “God”] God made them and all things, for friendship with Himself.
2. [an x, “Sin”] Sin broke that friendship and messed things up.
3. [a downward pointing arrow, “Love”] While they were helpless to do anything, God sent His Son Jesus; why?—because of His love.
4. [the cross, “Jesus”] Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for sin.
5. [a crown, “Trust”] Jesus has to be more than a friend; He had to be in charge of their lives.
6. [a question mark, “You”] To be part of God’s story they had to put their trust in Jesus.

My challenge, as one who is not a born story teller and not a natural relater to kids, was putting things in simple, concise and clear terms.  I wanted the kids to get the story but I had the comfort of knowing they’d be getting the booklet that spelled things out in greater detail and knowing the parents would be included in the mix.

I find greater comfort in the fact that whether kid-speak or adult-speak, the gospel finds its way to the heart only through the operation of the Holy Spirit.  My  prayer is that it will.