5. Overemphasizing a change of heart can actually discourage a child.
If we teach children only about the personal change that God does in hearts, then we may inadvertently discourage them. When these kids become aware of their sins, they may become introspective and worry, “How can Jesus live in my heart when I still get so angry?”
Once again, we must teach children to look outside themselves to the love and forgiveness that comes because of Christ’s death and resurrection (Galatians 2:20). As Octavius Winslow says, “One simple believing [look at] Christ will produce more light and peace and joy than a lifetime of looking within ourselves for evidences and signs of grace.”
6. A prayer to accept Jesus into your heart is neither commanded in Scripture nor found as a description of conversion.
Some may say, “But what about Revelation 3:20?” Many quote this verse and take it to mean that Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts begging to come in. Revelation 3:20 states, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” The verse is used as a justification for the need to say a prayer to ask Jesus into your heart.
The problem with this understanding is that it misses the larger context. When looking closely at this passage, the broader message of repentance and faith is clear (see number 7 below). We misuse Revelation 3:20 if we lead children to pray a “sinner’s prayer” or “ask Jesus into their hearts” without their fully understanding and owning the gospel’s demands for repentance and faith.
7. God saves only those who turn away from sin and delight in his Son.
In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea. He rebukes the church for being “lukewarm” in their love toward him (3:16). Drawing on imagery from the prophet Hosea, he compares this church to an adulterous young girl who pursued lovers because of their riches. She thinks herself to be wealthy with no need for her Savior husband. But when her wealth runs out, she is exposed as pitiful, poor and blind (Hosea 2:3; 3:1; 12:8; Revelation 3:17).
As a scorned husband, Christ pleads with the church to repent from false lovers and delight in him again (Revelation 3:19-20). He knocks on the door of his bride’s bedchamber, the door of the church, (Song of Solomon 5:2-3), and he promises to renew their marriage by covering her shame and preparing a wedding feast (Revelation 3:18, 20). Jesus is calling the church and its members to turn away from their sinful pursuits and pursue him. He wants to be their delight, and he requires total repentance (3:17).
8. Leading a child in a “sinner’s prayer” may give the child false assurance.
We must never give our children the impression that a prayer for mercy (a “sinner’s prayer”) guarantees their eternal destiny. It does not. Human hearts long to find assurance in things we can manipulate—our own knowledge, emotional experiences, prayers or our works.
We must discourage children from seeking assurance in such things, and we must never give false assurances. False assurances can endanger a child’s soul (Matthew 25:31-46). Without true repentance and faith, there is not a true conversion. And “the last state is worse than the first if the ‘convert’ becomes disillusioned and hardened against the real gospel.”
