Explaining Salvation to Your Child, Part 2

August, 2003

by: Brock Bolde

Last month we began a six–part series on salvation. In part one I tried to explain the importance of you helping your child to understand their need for salvation. Helping them to understand their condition is imperative because if they do not understand that they are lost then they will never understand their need to be found. As simple as it sounds, many parents become so enamored with their children that they fail to properly establish this critical point! Once our children see their need for a Savior, then we can properly teach them the many wonderful truths about salvation; which brings us to the second part of this series — the gift of salvation.

The Bible is unmistakably clear in showing us that salvation is a gift from God. I know of no better verse to confirm this then Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

As parents, we must do everything that we can to help our children to accept this gift in faith. A good way to help your children to grasp this concept is to explain it in terms that they can understand. Most children get some type of a gift on their birthday. When they get this gift they have done nothing to earn it. The gift is freely given at the discretion of the giver. And just as this gift is received with great excitement and anticipation, so is the gift of salvation to be received. We must help our children to understand that salvation is the greatest gift of all; a gift that is far more precious than any earthly present. Far too many young people are seeking the gifts of this world. It is my fear that many of our children are becoming like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do “to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) They want to know what they must do in order to be saved but, like the rich young ruler, they don't like the answer they receive. After telling this young ruler to keep the commandments, Jesus goes on to say: “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22) What Jesus was really telling this rich young ruler is “Believe that I am the Promised One of the Old Testament. Have faith that I am really the Son of God and therefore of far more value than your earthly riches. Trust in my teachings and you will find true riches.” In order to be saved our children must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They must believe that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and that “no one comes to the Father but through Him” (John 14:6). This is the faith that our children must have if they are to be saved and it is this true faith that will go hand–in–hand with the “repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)

God has offered each of us His gift of salvation. But unlike other gifts, this gift can only be opened in faith. It cannot be earned or bought; it is a gift. Our children need to understand this principle if they are to truly understand what it means to be saved. This is the second part of a six–part series in helping our children to fully understand salvation.