by Kathy Scherrer, Kid’s Quest Parent

I am in a unique and fortunate position of having two children that were receptive to the message that was delivered during Starting Zone, and also being a student in Christianity 101. One of the points from this week’s class is the beautiful straightforwardness of what Christians need to “do” to be saved, and that is to simply believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins.

The children in Starting Zone heard the same message, but in a way that was so welcoming and enthusiastic. LeAnne explained how there are two families that we can be part of. Each of us is born into a family, and this was easy for the children to understand. Then they learned that there is also God’s family, but that we are not born into this family. I remember hearing this message as a child and feeling a sense of fear that I could be left out, and I could see the worry on my oldest daughter’s face because she deeply desires to be part of God’s family just as I did.

LeAnne went on to explain, that to become a member of God’s family, we need to understand the choice that we each need to make. Using the following verse, dissecting it, and really understanding what each part of this verse means, the children were comforted by how uncomplicated their decision is.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The use of symbols was incorporated to help us remember each part of the verse. Chances are when these children see a heart, a cross, a chair, and a gift box, they will think of how “God gave,” “God loved,” “We believe,” and “We receive.” God gave us his son because he loves us and wants us to be part of His family, so when we believe in Him, we become part of that family for eternity.

As an adult it boggles my mind to consider how important this is for us to believe and the impact it has on our lives, both here and in Heaven. I will do everything I can to help my children begin their spiritual journeys as Christians and hopefully we can learn together how to live righteously and in a way that will please our Father.