Today we continue our detailed look at a presentation given by Jill Nelson at the 2007 Children Desiring God Conference entitled “Presenting the Gospel to Children.” In my last post, I introduced the series (including links to both the audio and the handouts. Thus far we have looked at the following:
- Introduction
- Essential Truth #1: God is the Sovereign Creator of All Things
- Essential Truth #2: God Created People For His Glory
- Essential Truth #3: God is Holy and Righteous
- Essential Truth #4: Man is Sinful
- Essential Truth #5: God Is Just and Right to Punish Sin
Today we will continue with the next Essential Gospel Truth which kids need to understand to combat false gospels and to understand the true and saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let’s get started. ESSENTIAL TRUTH #6 IS:
God is merciful. He is kind to undeserving sinners.
Explanation
In her
talk and in the handouts to the talk, Ms. Nelson gives poignant, concise and theological sounds explanations for each of the truth which will work great with kids. I have included my notes of these explanations below, but I would encourage you to listen to and/or read her full narratives as well.
- So, is there anyone who can help us?
- God can.
- He is merciful and kind to sinners who don’t deserve it.
- He gives us grace which is a free gift.
- We don’t deserve it.
- We can’t work for or earn God’s mercy.
- How does God show his grace?
- He is patient with us
- Doesn’t throw temper tantrums
- His anger is not out of control
- The fact that we are all still alive is proof of God’s grace
- He still must punish sin
- God made a way to save sinners and punish sin
- Most merciful thing.
Illustration
- Luke 15 – Prodigal Son
- How the father showed mercy
- Point to father giving undeserved kindness
- That’s a little bit what it is like
- Assign a child a task
- Give child $1 for the task
- Earned $1
- Later surprise him with another $1
- Did you do anything to earn the second $1
- That’s a little bit of what God’s grace is like
- Tell child you will pay them to an impossible task
- Go move a sofa across the house
- Let them try
- Don’t come up with a solution
- When Dad comes home – decide Dad will move it.
- Still give the child the money
- That’s mercy
- Someone stepped in and did it for you
Implication
The implication of this truth to kids is:
You must depend on God’s mercy in order to be saved.
Scriptural Support
Psalm 145:8
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. [Psalms 145:8 ESV]
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV]