How to Explain the Gospel to Children: Sharing Jesus with the Next Generation
- Boundless Team
- Mar 22
- 6 min read
Explaining the Gospel to children means sharing the good news of Jesus through simple, age-appropriate language and relatable stories. By focusing on God’s love, our need for a Savior, and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, parents and mentors can guide the next generation toward a lifelong relationship with God. This guide provides practical tools and biblical foundations to help children understand grace, forgiveness, and the transformative power of following Christ today.
Starting the Conversation
There is no greater joy than seeing a child begin to understand the massive, world-changing love of God. As parents, grandparents, and mentors, we often feel a bit of pressure when it comes to "getting it right." We want them to understand the depth of the Gospel without making it sound like a complicated lecture.
The truth is, Jesus loved children. He welcomed them when others tried to push them away. Explaining the Gospel isn’t about using big theological words; it’s about sharing a beautiful story of a Father who loves His children and went to great lengths to bring them home.
In this installment of our Evergreen Faith Library, we are looking at how to bridge the gap between complex spiritual truths and the curious heart of a child.
Bible Verses to Share
When we talk about the Gospel, we always start with the Word. Here are a few foundational verses that are perfect for sharing with children:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Matthew 19:14: "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith: and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
1. Start with God as the Creator
Before a child can understand why they need a Savior, they need to know who God is. We start by introducing God as the loving Creator of everything.
Take a walk outside. Point at the birds, the trees, and the stars. Explain that God made all of it because He is powerful and creative. But most importantly, tell them that God made them.
In our 16 Fundamental Truths, we acknowledge that there is one true God. Helping a child see God as a personal Creator helps them realize they aren't an accident. They are a masterpiece designed by someone who loves them deeply.
2. Explaining the Problem: What is Sin?
This can be the trickiest part. We never want to make a child feel "bad," but we have to be honest about the human condition.
A simple way to explain sin is by calling it "missing the mark" or "choosing our own way instead of God's way." You might explain it like this: "God is perfect and good. But sometimes, we all do things, say things, or think things that aren't good. Have you ever disobeyed or been unkind? That’s called sin. Sin is like a big wall that keeps us from being close to God."
It’s important to emphasize that everyone has this problem: even adults. This levels the playing field and shows the child that they aren't alone in needing God’s help.
3. The Solution: Jesus is the Bridge
Once they understand that sin separates us from God, you can introduce the "Bridge."
God didn’t want to be separated from us. He loved us too much to leave us on the other side of that wall. So, He sent His Son, Jesus.
Explain that Jesus lived a perfect life: He never sinned. Because He was perfect, He could take the punishment for our "not-so-perfect" choices. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He built a bridge over the gap of sin. Now, because of Jesus, we can walk right across that bridge and be with God forever.
This aligns with the Assemblies of God belief in the Salvation of Man: that through Christ's sacrifice, we are redeemed. You can hear more about this in our Sunday Sermons.
4. The Response: How Do We Follow Him?
The Gospel requires a response, but for a child, this shouldn't feel like a scary test. It’s an invitation to a friendship.
We often use the "ABC" method to help children remember how to respond:
A - Admit: Tell God you have sinned and you're sorry.
B - Believe: Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died and rose again for you.
C - Choose: Choose to follow Jesus and let Him be the leader of your life.
Invite them to talk to God in their own words. There is no "perfect" prayer; God hears the heart.
5. Practical Tools for Parents
Sharing the Gospel isn't a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle. Here are a few ways to keep the conversation going:
The 3 Circles Method: Draw three circles on a piece of paper. One for God’s Design, one for Brokenness (Sin), and one for the Gospel (Jesus). Use arrows to show how we move from brokenness back to God’s design through Christ.
Use Visuals: Use blocks or toys to represent the "gap" sin creates and use a cross-shaped object to represent the bridge.
Tell Your Story: Children love stories. Tell them about when you first decided to follow Jesus. Why did you do it? How has He helped you when you were sad or scared?
Model Grace: When you make a mistake as a parent, apologize to your child. Show them what it looks like to receive God’s forgiveness and start fresh.
6. Trusting the Holy Spirit
As you share, remember that you aren't doing this alone. We believe in the work of the Holy Spirit. Even when your child is very young, the Holy Spirit is working in their heart, drawing them toward God.
You don't have to have every answer to every "Why?" a toddler or elementary-schooler might throw at you. It’s okay to say, "That’s a great question! Let’s look at the Bible and see what God says."
If you need support or want to pray with others about your family's spiritual journey, feel free to visit our Prayer Wall.
Common Questions Children Ask
"If God loves me, why does He let bad things happen?" Explain that God is sad when bad things happen, too. But when the world was broken by sin, it brought sadness with it. Jesus came to help us through the sad times and to one day fix everything.
"Where is Jesus now?" Tell them that Jesus is in heaven, but through the Holy Spirit, He is also right here with us. He promised never to leave us or forsake us.
"What does it look like to follow Jesus?" Following Jesus means trying to love people the way He did, listening to what He says in the Bible, and talking to Him every day.
A Legacy of Faith
When we explain the Gospel to children, we aren't just giving them information; we are giving them a foundation for their entire lives. Whether they are shift workers, students, or world-changers in the making, knowing that they are loved by the Creator of the Universe changes everything.
We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. This mission starts in our own homes and extends to the ends of the earth.
A Prayer for Your Child
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the children in my life. I ask that You open their hearts to understand Your incredible love. Help me to use simple words and a loving heart to share the Gospel with them. May they grow to know Jesus as their Savior, their Bridge, and their best friend. Guide us as a family to follow You every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do you have questions about sharing your faith with your kids? Or maybe you're looking for a community of believers to grow with? We invite you to join our Bible Study Club to connect with others who are navigating the same journey.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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