Why Read to Children About the Gospel?

How old were you when you became a Christian? All of us who claim Christ as our Savior have that defining moment when we were turned “from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18). For me, it was when I was just a child.

Several years ago, I read a book by George Barna that spoke of the importance of sharing the gospel with children. He said that after several studies, they

…discovered that the probability of someone embracing Jesus as his or her Savior was 32% for those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4% for those in the 13-18 age range; 6% for people 19 or older. In other words, if people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, the chance of them doing so at all is slim.

—Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions

In another place in the book, he said, “By the age of 13, your spiritual identity is largely set in place.” Perhaps, parents and churches need to place more emphasis on winning their own children to Christ.

These results are borne out as true in my own experience. As I interact with parents, they tell me of their children who go off to college and then fall away from their faith.

I know that I was provided a strong spiritual foundation by my parents and church community. Because of this fact, when my college professors tried to put doubts in my mind, it pushed me toward Christ—not away!

For many years now, I’ve wanted to provide tools for parents and churches to reach their own children with the gospel. That’s how The Peaceable Kingdom series was born.

May God use it to draw His little ones to Himself.

[For more online information about this topic, see the Barna article here: “Evangelism is Most Effective Among Kids.” www.barna.com/research/evangelism-is-most-effective-among-kids]