As parents, we face a million big questions daily: Is this the right snack? Should I have said that? Can you actually survive on Goldfish and juice boxes? But perhaps one of the most important (and slightly intimidating) questions is: Is my child ready to accept Jesus?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone in wondering! It’s a big step in their faith journey, and you want to be sure they understand what it means. That’s where the ABCs of Salvation come in. They’re simple, straightforward, and easy enough for kids to grasp (and hey, helpful for grown-ups too).

So, let’s break it down and see if your little one is ready for this life-changing decision:

A is for Admit

To follow Jesus, we first admit that we’ve made mistakes (yes, even the toddler-level meltdown over mismatched socks counts). The Bible calls these mistakes “sins,” and our Sin is what separates us from God. Understanding this is key to recognizing why we need Jesus in the first place.

Ask your child, “Do you know what sin is? Can you think of a time you made a bad choice?” If they can explain it in their own words and understand the need to say sorry, they might be ready for step one!

B is for Believe

Believing means trusting that Jesus is who He says He is—God’s Son who loves us so much He took our place for the wrong things we’ve done. That’s right, He chose to die on the cross for our sins, so that, we could one day be with Him for eternity if we choose to follow Him.

Here’s a great way to explain it:
“Remember when someone helped you clean up a big mess you couldn’t handle by yourself? That’s kind of like what Jesus did for us—except on a much bigger scale!”

If your child believes in Jesus and understands why He came, they’re on their way to step two.

C is for Choose

The final step is choosing to follow Jesus. This means making Him the leader of your life—not just for today but forever!

Talk with your child about what following Jesus looks like daily. Maybe it’s being kind to others, praying, or reading the Bible together. Ask them, “Would you like to ask Jesus to lead your life and help you make good choices?”

If their eyes light up and they’re eager to say “yes,” they might be ready to take this incredible step of faith!

Keep It Simple

Kids don’t need a theology degree to start following Jesus (thank goodness, right?). Keep the conversation simple and meet them where they are. Let them ask questions, even if they’re as big as “Why doesn’t God have a cellphone?” or as small as “Can Jesus see me eat this cookie?”

Above all, let them know that following Jesus is a journey, not a one-time event. They’ll grow in their faith as they grow in life, and you’ll be there to guide them every step of the way.

Your Role in Their Decision

If you think your child is ready, celebrate! Lead them in a simple prayer, and let them express their heart in their own words. Then, keep nurturing their faith with family Bible time, prayer, and conversations about Jesus. Remember, staying consistent with it is key!

And if you’re unsure? That’s okay too! Keep planting seeds, asking questions, and trusting God’s timing. After all, His plan is always perfect—even better than your snack-packing skills. 😉

Let’s raise the next generation of faith-filled world changers, one ABC at a time!

HAS YOUR CHILD RECENTLY SAID YES TO FOLLOWING JESUS? Let us know. We would love to get you some free resources.