Helping Your Child Say "Yes" to Jesus
At Grace City, we believe one encounter with God changes everything—and that includes your kids.
As a parent, there’s nothing more meaningful than seeing your child begin a relationship with Jesus. But knowing how to explain salvation in a way they’ll understand can feel overwhelming. This simple guide will help you lead that life-changing conversation with confidence.
As a parent, there’s nothing more meaningful than seeing your child begin a relationship with Jesus. But knowing how to explain salvation in a way they’ll understand can feel overwhelming. This simple guide will help you lead that life-changing conversation with confidence.
What Is Salvation?
Salvation means becoming part of God’s family. It’s when we say "yes" to following Jesus—believing that He died for our sins, came back to life, and wants to be with us forever.
When a child says "yes" to Jesus:
When a child says "yes" to Jesus:
- He forgives all their sins
- He gives them a new heart
- He promises to always be with them
How to Explain Salvation to Your Child
Use this simple four-step explanation to help your child understand the Good News:
- God loves you: God made you and loves you! He wants to be your best friend. (John 3:16)
- We all sin: Sin is when we do things our way instead of God’s way. Sin keeps us apart from Him. (Romans 3:23)
- Jesus came to fix that: Jesus lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and came back to life so we could be close to God forever. (Romans 5:8)
- Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus changes everything: If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive you, He will! You’ll be part of God’s family forever. (Romans 10:9)
A Prayer You Can Say Together
If your child is ready to follow Jesus, here’s a simple prayer to help guide them. Encourage them to use their own words too—what matters most is their heart.
“Jesus, I believe You are God’s Son. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and came back to life. I’m sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. I want You to be my forever friend. Help me follow You. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
“Jesus, I believe You are God’s Son. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and came back to life. I’m sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. I want You to be my forever friend. Help me follow You. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
What’s Next After Saying Yes to Jesus?
Here are some next steps to help your child grow in their new faith:
- Celebrate! 🎉 This is the biggest decision they’ll ever make—celebrate it together!
- Talk about Baptism: Baptism is the next step after salvation. It’s how we show the world we’re following Jesus.
- Pray together: Teach your child that prayer is just talking to God—anytime, about anything.
- Read the Bible together: Start with a kid-friendly Bible. Great places to begin: Any of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
- Stay connected: Grace City Kids is here to help your child grow, make friends, and keep learning about Jesus in fun, age-appropriate ways.
Need Help or Have Questions?
You don’t have to figure this out alone! If you’re not sure if your child is ready, or you’d like help with the conversation, our Grace City Kids team is here for you.
You don’t have to figure this out alone! If you’re not sure if your child is ready, or you’d like help with the conversation, our Grace City Kids team is here for you.