Salvation: A Guide For Parents
There’s nothing like watching our kids grow and celebrate big milestones such as their first steps, birthdays, and new school years. But of all the moments we celebrate, few carry as much significance as the moment a child decides to follow Jesus.
Whether your child is starting to ask big questions about God or they’re ready to make that decision to follow Jesus, we want to come alongside you as you have conversations about faith and help your child take their next steps.
Here’s a quick look at what we believe about salvation and how we talk about it in eKidz.
What We Believe And The Language We Use:
You can find our church’s full statement of beliefs here.
In eKidz, we use simple, memorable language to help kids understand what it means to follow Jesus. We call it the ABCs of salvation.
A – Admit you are a sinner and need a Savior. (Romans 3:23)
B – Believe Jesus is God’s Son and died to forgive you of your sins. (Romans 10:9)
C – Choose to live your life for God. (John 1:12)
We want kids to understand that everyone has sinned, Jesus is God’s Son, He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and then He rose again. Because of what Jesus did, we can be forgiven, have a relationship with God, and choose to live our lives for Him.
How We Share The Gospel In eKidz:
In Elementary (1st-5th grade), kids regularly have opportunities to hear the gospel and learn what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. Once a month and during special weekends like Easter and Christmas, we intentionally create space for kids to hear the gospel, talk about what they heard, and ask questions.
Here’s what it can look like:
Hear the Gospel: Kids hear an age-appropriate message about who Jesus is, what He did for us, and what it means to follow Him.
Ask questions: Kids have an opportunity to talk with an eKidz Leader about what they heard. We want kids to know their questions are welcome and give them space to continue learning and understanding.
Partner with parents: If your child has additional questions or expresses interest in making a decision to follow Jesus, our team will let you know. We believe this is an important moment for your family, and we want to equip you to continue the conversation at home.
Continuing the Conversation at Home:
Your child doesn’t need to have all the answers before they can start talking about salvation — and neither do you!
Our Parent Talk: Living for Jesus Card is designed to help you continue the conversation. It includes questions you can ask your child to help them talk through what they believe and understand, along with the ABCs of Salvation and a prayer you can use as a guide if your child is ready to make the decision to follow Jesus.
If your child makes the decision to follow Jesus, let us know by scanning the QR code on the Prayer Card and completing the form. Our eKidz team will follow up and help your family celebrate this important decision, including coordinating with your campus team to give your child a Salvation Bible Kit.
What’s Next: Baptism
When your child makes the decision to follow Jesus, that’s something worth celebrating!
As they continue growing in their relationship with God, baptism is an opportunity for them to show their family, friends, and church community they’ve decided to follow Jesus.
When your child is ready to learn more about baptism, work through our All About Baptism guide together. It will help your family talk about what baptism means and determine whether it’s the right next step for your child.
FAQs:
How do I know if my child is ready? You don’t need to have every answer. It’s okay to tell your child, “I don’t know, but let’s learn together.” Open the Bible together, pray, and keep the conversation going. You can also connect with your eKidz Director if you need help navigating a question.
What if I don’t know how to answer all their questions? That’s totally okay! This is a great opportunity to sit with your child and discover God’s truth together. You don’t need a theology degree to talk to your child about Jesus. This is a great opportunity to slow down, open the Bible, pray, and discover God’s truth together.
Does my child need to say a specific prayer? There aren’t special words your child has to say to be saved. Prayer is an opportunity for your child to talk to God about what they believe and the decision they are making. If your child is ready, the prayer on the Parent Talk: Living for Jesus Card can help guide the conversation, or your child can pray in their own words.
What if my child isn't ready yet? That’s okay! Asking questions is an important part of learning and growing in faith. Celebrate their interest, keep the conversation open, and continue helping them learn about who Jesus is and what He has done for them.