A Simple Way to Explain the Gospel to Children - Enjoying the Journey
Few things are more important than children hearing and understanding the gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ openly received little children (Matthew 19:14), and taught that every one who is saved must come with the simple, humble faith of a child (Matthew 18:3). It is beautiful to see the plainness with which our Savior explained divine truth!
As the Master Teacher, Christ had an amazing way of using everyday things as object lessons. His parabolic approach is a reminder that He wanted His hearers to see what they heard Him say. When I began teaching and preaching the Bible many years ago, I was privileged to work with children. This was more than good experience; it was an education in how to present truth in a succinct and simple way. If we can learn to speak effectively to young minds we can communicate with anyone.
Perhaps you are familiar with “the wordless book” that has often been used in children’s ministry. The use of color to communicate truth is an effective gospel tool. On January 11, 1866 Charles Spurgeon spoke to a group of orphans who were not yet able to read. In his message he used three pieces of paper to illustrate the gospel: a black page to represent sin, a red page to represent the blood of Jesus, and a white page to represent the clean heart.
Hudson Taylor took this gospel illustration to China and used it effectively. Evangelist D.L. Moody, who began by teaching the Bible to children on the shores of Lake Michigan, added the color gold to represent God and Heaven. Over time, green was added to picture spiritual growth that should follow salvation.
Some time ago my friend Tom Sexton gave me a beautiful bookmark on “The Gospel In Colors” along with some pins and bracelets that display the five colors. (Five Star Christian Ministries provides several helpful evangelism tools. Click here to visit their site.) I had the privilege to speak to a wonderful group of children this week and used this illustration. It was a tremendous way to both teach them the gospel and encourage them to carry the message to others!
This is not new. David wrote in Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Colors communicate!
God created colors and gave us the ability to discern them. In Genesis 9 He set a rainbow in the cloud as a reminder of His promises. At the end of the Bible, in Revelation 4, a rainbow encompasses the throne of God in Heaven. I personally believe that when we enter the presence of God there will be colors never before known here on earth. Our infinite God has so much brilliance and beauty yet to display!
But for now, we can use color to help show the beautiful truths represented in the gospel. Here is a simple way to remember essential gospel truth and share it with others:
GOLD – God loves you and desires for you to be with Him in Heaven forever.
BLACK – All people have sinned and have hearts that are dirty because of our disobedience.
RED – Jesus Christ shed His blood to pay for our sin and to cleanse our hearts.
WHITE – Our Lord not only died, He rose again from the dead to give us eternal life and clean hearts.
GREEN – Once we come to know Christ we are to grow spiritually and go share the truth with others.
