How to Share Jesus With Children: A Practical Guide for Parents and Leaders

When parents brought children to Jesus, the disciples tried to send them away. Jesus was indignant. Children were not a distraction from His mission; they were at the heart of it. Here is how to help the children in your life know Him.

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Why it matters

Many Christians say they first trusted Jesus as children. Childhood is a season of openness, trust and big questions. Timothy knew the Scriptures "from infancy" through his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). God's people were told to talk about His words "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road" (Deuteronomy 6:7) — faith passed on in everyday life.

Start with integrity

Work with parents. Outside your own family, share faith with children only with their parents' knowledge and permission.

Follow safeguarding. In church or outreach settings, follow your organisation's child-protection policy: two adults present, never alone with a child, background checks where required.

Never pressure. Children want to please adults. Invite, explain and answer questions — but never manipulate a response with fear, rewards or emotional pressure.

Live it first. Children notice whether faith is real at home more than what is said on Sunday.

Explaining the Gospel simply

God made you and loves you

God made everything, including you, and He loves you more than anyone ever could (Genesis 1:27; 1 John 4:9–10).

We have all done wrong

Sin is when we choose our way instead of God's — like lying, being unkind or not listening. Everyone sins, and sin breaks our friendship with God (Romans 3:23).

Jesus came to rescue us

God sent His Son Jesus. He never sinned, but He died on the cross to take the punishment for our wrong, and then He came back to life (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

We can be God's children forever

If we say sorry to God, trust Jesus and follow Him, He forgives us and makes us part of His family forever (John 1:12).

Use their words, not ours

Avoid unexplained church words like "saved", "repent" or "asking Jesus into your heart" without explaining them. Ask the child to tell you back in their own words what they understood.

By age

Under 5

Short Bible stories, simple songs, bedtime prayers, and lots of "God loves you" and "Jesus is your friend."

5–8

Read a children's Bible together, talk about right and wrong, and explain the cross in simple terms. Answer every question warmly.

9–12

Read a Gospel together. Discuss honest questions. Encourage them to pray in their own words and to think about following Jesus personally.

Teens

Respect their questions and doubts, share your own story, and point them to Jesus Himself. Learn more about Teens

Everyday ways to share Jesus at home

Pray together daily

At meals and bedtime, let children pray too — short and real. See How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say.

Tell your story

Share how you came to know Jesus, in age-appropriate words. See How to Share Your Testimony.

Talk about God in ordinary moments

Nature walks, hard days and answered prayers are all openings.

Serve together

Let children help with outreach, baking for neighbours or packing care kits. Faith grows as it is lived. See How to Serve Your Community.

Say sorry when you get it wrong

Modelling repentance and forgiveness teaches the Gospel powerfully.

When a child wants to follow Jesus

Gently ask what they understand, explain any gaps, and pray with them in simple words if they want to. Celebrate, tell their parents if they are not yours, and keep walking with them: reading the Bible, praying and connecting with a church. Faith that begins in childhood still needs to grow. See How to Disciple Someone.

Questions people ask

How do you explain the Gospel to a child?

Use simple words: God made you and loves you; everyone has done wrong things, which breaks our friendship with God; Jesus died for our wrong and came back to life; and if we say sorry and trust Him, He forgives us and makes us part of His family forever.

At what age can a child become a Christian?

There is no fixed age in the Bible. Many children understand and trust Jesus young. The key is a genuine, unpressured response, followed by ongoing discipleship as they grow.

How do I share Jesus with my kids without pushing them away?

Live your faith authentically, pray together, answer questions honestly, invite rather than pressure, and let them see you say sorry when you get things wrong.

Can I share the Gospel with other people's children?

Only with their parents' knowledge and permission, and in church or outreach settings by following safeguarding and child-protection policies.

What Bible verse is about bringing children to Jesus?

Mark 10:14: 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'

Raise up the next generation

Our free New Believer Guide is a gentle seven-day journey that older children and teens can work through with a parent. Open the guide

Next steps

Share your testimony · Share Jesus with family