My daughter asked me this question over our fast-food handburgers and fries after a hot, yet exciting morning of soul-winning. In over 100 degree weather, the two of us had seen a young mother call upon Christ as her Savior and invited many others to Sunday services. My two sons had gone with other church ladies and seen several more accept the Lord. So her question was clearly not about fruit. She was wondering about her role in the process.
“Since adults share the gospel, why do you bring us soul-winning with you?”
It is a valid question. Why should we bring our children soul-winning? I have intentionally set aside time each month to take my children out on visitation. Once they are old enough to stand quietly next to Mommy, walk for an hour or two without complaining, and smile politely without constant reminder, I begin taking them. For my children, this has been around age three. I don’t go for too long (little legs grow weary) and I may not make it every week. But they catch on quickly that inviting others to church and meeting the spiritual needs of others is more important than their own comfort.
What can little ones do during calling hours? Why suffer the little children to work for Him?
1. Little children can effectively invite strangers to church. Never under-estimate the power of a tiny fist knocking on a door, raising a tiny tract, and waving it in a shocked face. Very quickly, I teach my little ones to say, “Hi! My name is ____________ and I’m from ____________________ church. Would you come to Sunday School with me?” These sweet words from innocent (and clean, well dressed!) lips will surprise the listener enough to make him think twice before slamming the door. And the seed is sown.
2. Little children can learn to speak up for the Lord. By knocking on the door, handing out the tract, smiling sweetly, and making polite conversation, the young ones are learning valuable public speaking skills that will help them in ministry. They will not be afraid to share their faith on the playground, invite their soccer friends to church, or encourage their family members in Christ when they have done so before strangers often. Learning to politely and cheerfully answer whatever greeting they receive – or even the occasional rudeness – helps build perserverance, etiquette, and perspective in relationships. They see not everyone accepts “God’s free gift.” They experience the joy of reaping when someone finally comes to church. They identify more clearly with the Sower and His seeds.
3. Little ones can Pray. The “silent partner” during the gospel presentation is the most important, we know. Little hearts can plead with the Spirit, “Lord, please save this lady! Please help her see she needs You! Jesus, help her listen to your Word and accept Your gift today!”
It is worth the extra time and effort to include soul-winning outreach in our child rearing. I can think of no more important lesson to teach our children than “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laboreres into His harvest.” We, as a family, have already seen the blessings in our own home from such lessons. Two of my children have covenanted with our pastor to pray daily if God would have them “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Another child has had opportunity to share his faith alone on the community playground, following his mother’s pattern for “do you know what the Bible says?” And one of my children accepted Christ as her own personal Savior after going out Soulwinning with her Sunday School teacher.
Thursday mornings, we study the most important subject of all.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that winneth souls is wise.
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth.
~ Proverbs 11:30, 31
Leave a Reply