The five simple tips for teaching the gospel to kids can be counted on one hand. Literally, all you will need are the five fingers on your hand. These five easy pointers will help you gain confidence in your own witness. As you teach the gospel to your little disciple, you will be reinforcing the points into your own memory bank.
Here is a quick glance at the five steps of the gospel:
- A thumbs up is a good sign: GRACE
- Pointing a finger back at me: SIN
- Middle finger is the tallest: GOD
- Ring finger for promise: JESUS
- Pinky is the smallest like a mustard seed: FAITH
The Gospel Presentation For Kids: Hands Down Simple
Many people are visual learners. When we use the gospel hand, it makes learning the five steps easy to remember. Each finger signifies a different part of the gospel. The hand and each finger serve as a visual reminder as we recall each piece of the gospel. Having only five key points to memorize makes it easy and simple for any age.
The Gospel Hand
Where did I learn the gospel hand? I went through an amazing ministry at my church that taught us how to effectively, and confidently share the gospel. This was an evangelism program where we went out into the community and had real conversations with strangers. We learned how to practice being bold in our faith and navigate through invigorating discussions on who God is.
Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy is the book we used to equip ourselves to go out and make disciples. I highly recommend getting this book and going through it with a friend or others in your church. This link will take you directly to the book to purchase through Amazon. There is so much more that goes along with the gospel hand in this book and it is powerful. Fun little tid bit, Billy Graham wrote the forward.
Heads up: Return To The Lord is reader-supported. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! I only recommend items I have personally used.
Grace
First, we have GRACE, which is the thumb. What is grace? Grace is something we are given that we do not deserve. Heaven/ salvation is the gift God is offering us. We cannot earn our way into heaven, and we most definitely do not deserve to go to heaven.
The Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary defines grace as such. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.
The definition of grace is rich and beautiful. There is so much depth to it, and we have only scratched the surface. The Google definition doesn’t do the word justice. Take your study of the Bible to a deeper level with the Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary. Use this link here and you can add it directly to your Amazon cart.
So, hold up your thumb and say, “Heaven is a free gift. It cannot be earned or deserved.”
Sin
Second, we have SIN, which is the index finger. Sin is something we all have committed and were all born into. We sin in our actions, our deeds, and our thoughts. Sin is an immoral act against God. In short, our sin separates us from God who is holy and righteous.
Point your finger at yourself and say, “Man is a sinner and cannot save himself.”
God
Third, we have God, who is represented by the middle finger. God is holy and righteous and of the highest authority. God is all loving and is completely just.
Look at your tallest finger and say, “God loves us and does not want to punish us. But God is just and must punish sin.”
Jesus
Fourth, we have JESUS, who is represented by the ring finger. Jesus will one day be united with his bride (the Church). Therefore, it is easy to remember Jesus keeping his promise like a husband and wife. Jesus made it possible for each of us to go to heaven with his incredible sacrifice. Because we know a man cannot save himself, this means the Jesus is 100% God. As God, Jesus chose to live among us as 100% man as well.
Hold the promise around your ring finger close to your heart and say, “Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. Jesus died on the cross for all our sins. He rose again from the dead, and purchased a place for us in heaven.”
Faith
Finally, we have FAITH, which is represented by the smallest finger, the pinky. To understand faith, it is easiest to understand what faith is not. Faith is not intelligence, nor is it knowledge. Saving faith is also not temporary. Throwing out a quick prayer to avoid discomfort or pain in a temporary moment is not faith that saves.
Faith is putting your hope and trust in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Saving faith is the belief and conviction that Jesus rose from the dead and conquered the grave.
Hold up your pinky, and remember faith the size of a mustard seed. Now say, “Saving faith is not head knowledge and is not temporary. Saving faith IS trusting in Jesus Christ ALONE!’
Sharing The Gospel With Kids Is Fun
Sharing the gospel with kids is fun because you get to watch their faith, and hearts grow. Your child’s heart is open and ready to receive the truth and love of Jesus. Adults over think everything and allow their pride to stand in the way of seeing who Jesus is. There is a reason why Jesus said, “You must be like the little children to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 18:17 ).
When you talk with children about Jesus, their minds start to race. They’ll ask you a million questions. As you explain the gospel to them, you will be using unfamiliar words. Be ready to expand on their vocabulary. For your own study, pick up this phenomenal dictionary for your home, Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary. My husband got this dictionary from Amazon, which my link will direct you to when you click on it.
Related: I also recommended this Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary in a previous post: 3 Ways To Worship Jesus
The conversations that open up while you teach your kids the gospel will test your knowledge. What you don’t know or aren’t quite sure of, you can learn together. The answers you do know, gives you the opportunity to expand on the topic with your child. This grows their confidence in you as their spiritual leader.
Teaching The Gospel To Kids Doesn’t Have To Be Complicating
Teaching the gospel to your kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep yourself humble and hungry to learn yourself. When you don’t have the answer to a question, seek to find the answer.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13
God’s word is a living Word. When you seek answers and understanding, the Holy Spirit will guide you. Our relationship with God will forever be growing and deepening. We will never know the full depth of God, so enjoy in the seeking and learning.
Teaching The Gospel To Kids Supported By Scripture
Don’t just teach the gospel to kids without showing them how the Bible supports each claim. Help your child connect to the truth in God’s word by understanding what it says. You don’t want to teach your child to just believe what someone says about what the Bible says. Guide your children on how to study the Bible and how to research truth on their own.
The gospel isn’t just a feel-good sentiment. The good news of the gospel is our redemption, our salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus. The gospel is the good news that Jesus defeated death and we can live forever with him in peace.
For each of the five steps of the gospel hand, here is scripture that support each claim:
Grace
- “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23
- “By Grace we are saved through faith, not of works, so that no man can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Man
- “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
- “Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
God
- “God is love.” 1 John 4:8
- “God has loved us with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
- “God will by no means clear the guilty.” Exodus 34:7
- “The person who sins is the one who will die.” Ezekiel 18:4
- “Your [God] eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” Habakkuk 1:13
- “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23
Jesus
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:1 and 14
- “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
- “Jesus Christ bore our sins in his own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24
Faith
- “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” Acts 16:31
- “You believe there is one God; that is good! Even the demons believe, and they tremble.” James 2:19
The Gospel Is The Good News: Tell Your Kids About This Saving Grace
The grace of God is a great gift. Our sins kept us in our shame, but Jesus Christ has wiped away our shame. Jesus did all the work on the cross because we could not save ourselves. All we have to do is accept his free gift of salvation. When we turn away from our sins, and follow Jesus, we are made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Share your faith with your child and start to watch their faith blossom. Let your child know about God’s grace. Tell your kids the purpose of life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Go deeper in your evangelism: Get your copy of Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy easily with the provided link.
More posts you will enjoy: The Armor Of God: How To Pray Scripture Over Children,
I Love To Wrap My Children In The Word Of God