When our boys were 2, 3, and 4, we began to try to explain the gospel to them.
Not surprisingly, it was difficult to break down the complex truth of the divine exchange of our sin for His holiness that happened on the cross. Since we were still a few years away from our own testimonies of salvation making sense to them, we seemed a little stuck at the “Jesus died to set you free from sin” stop on the road of Christian understanding.
Then one day, my boys had a BIG fight.
I stared at those two angry little men and preached the gospel in language they could understand.
“Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons and he is very selfish. He always puts what he wants before the good of everyone else- even his own friends. Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots and puts himself at risk when it is necessary for the good of others- even his own enemies. Optimus loves others more than himself. Are you going to be like Megatron or like Optimus?“
The question hung like a noose around their selfishness. They groaned and hung their heads.
Prior to this, any time we ever asked them if they wanted to be like Jesus, they always said, “YES!!” We would then tell them what the Bible said about being peacemakers, apologizing and forgiving, etc.
Like good little “Christians”, they would say sorry, forgive, play again- and then fight the minute their wills were crossed again.
But now they knew, choosing to be selfish was worse than not being like Jesus- it meant they were Decepticons. My boys hated Decpeticons. NO ONE wanted to be a Decepticon.
By contrast, everyone wanted to be like Optimus. Optimus was awesome and the greatest leader they had ever heard of.
But now they knew, being like Optimus would mean they couldn’t have their own selfish way.
Like the rich young ruler, my boys were counting the cost of a godly life. And they were grasping that all that they love about Optimus is also want they should love about Jesus, which made Him much more real to them.
This is how I learned that teaching kids about the gospel means you have to go into their world and explain it in terms they can understand.
It’s not always easy to do, but it is the best way to help their young minds grasp the meaning of the Kingdom of God, not just teach them to give the correct answers to spit out in Sunday School.
When the gospel hits their hearts dead-center, you will know. They will ache with the pain of their sin and rejoice at the power of God’s salvation.
And that moment will shine with glory.
