“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.” – John 3:16
Understanding God’s Love
As we explore the important topic of salvation, we see how God’s love is the foundation for everything. He cares deeply for each one of us. Through the story of creation and the sending of His Son, we come to understand that God’s love is not just a sentiment but a powerful force that offers us hope and joy. It’s exciting to realize that our relationship with God is built on this incredible love. When we talk to children about salvation, we should share that God’s love is for everyone, and it is offered freely to those who believe. Knowing we are loved can sometimes make the challenges we face feel lighter.
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.” – John 3:16
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
Romans 8:39
“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:39
Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5
Believing in Jesus
Believing in Jesus is at the heart of salvation. It is our faith in Him that transforms our lives. As we teach children about salvation, we should emphasize that believing is more than just acknowledging Jesus. It means trusting Him fully in our hearts. When we believe in Jesus, we are assured of forgiveness for our sins and eternal life. We can show our kids that, through belief, they become part of God’s big family. It’s beautiful to think that every child has the opportunity to accept Jesus and live in His light.
Acts 16:31
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” – Acts 16:31
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” – John 14:6
Mark 16:16
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:16
John 1:12
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
The Gift of Grace
One of the most wonderful aspects of salvation is that it is a gift we receive by God’s grace. We cannot earn it through good deeds or our own efforts. While teaching our children about salvation, it’s essential for us to remind them that grace is God’s unmerited favor. This means that no matter our mistakes, God still offers us love and forgiveness. We can find joy in knowing that it’s not about how perfect we are, but about how perfect God’s love is for us. Embracing grace allows us all to approach God boldly, knowing we are accepted just as we are.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” – 2 Timothy 1:9
Romans 3:23-24
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24
Acts 15:11
“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” – Acts 15:11
The Role of Faith
Faith plays a crucial role in our journey towards salvation. It is our faith that connects us with God and shapes our relationship with Him. When we teach children about faith, we can explain that it means trusting God even without seeing Him. Our faith is the bridge that helps us understand God’s promises and live our lives according to His word. With faith, we can overcome doubts and fears, knowing that God is always with us. Isn’t it wonderful to think that through faith all of us, no matter our age, can experience God’s salvation?
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
1 Peter 1:8-9
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:8-9
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
James 2:19
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” – James 2:19
The Importance of Repentance
Repentance is an essential part of receiving salvation. It means turning away from our wrongdoings and choosing to follow God’s ways instead. Teaching children about repentance helps them understand that it is not about being perfect but recognizing our mistakes and asking for God’s help. This change of heart opens the door for His forgiveness and grace to flow into our lives. When we repent, we are making a promise to God that we want to do better. It’s an important lesson that we can help guide our children through, knowing God is always ready to forgive.
Luke 13:3
“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” – Luke 13:3
Acts 2:38
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” – Acts 2:38
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Matthew 3:2
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 3:2
The Assurance of Salvation
Finally, knowing we are assured of our salvation brings great comfort. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we can be confident in His promise of eternal life. We can instill hope in the hearts of children when they learn that salvation is secure in Christ. This assurance helps us live freely and joyfully, knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love. We can remind our kids to hold firmly to their faith and recognize that God is always with us, guiding us through life. This understanding of assurance builds a strong foundation for their spiritual journeys.
John 10:28
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:28
1 John 5:13
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” – 1 John 5:13
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Romans 10:13
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
Titus 1:2
“In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” – Titus 1:2
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the topic of salvation, it’s clear that God’s amazing love forms the basis of what it means to be saved. Through our discussions about faith, grace, repentance, and assurance of salvation, we can help children understand the depth of God’s promises. It’s not about what we do to earn salvation, but rather how we respond to this beautiful gift through our faith in Jesus Christ. Each time we experience moments of doubt, we can lean on God’s word for encouragement, knowing that He is always there to guide us.
As we nurture our children’s faith, we may find inspiration from other topics as well. Consider exploring forgiveness for kids or delve into forgiveness and salvation to keep building their understanding of God’s love and mercy.
Together, let’s continue to embrace God’s word in our lives, celebrating the good news of salvation for everyone, especially our children.