Are you aware that the optimum time for reaching children for Christ is between 8-12 years of age? This is the period when most children reach the“age of accountability—a time of life when one is aware enough of God to respond to Him” (Dr. William Hendricks in his book, A Theology for Children).

In the last decade, George Barna’s research revealed several supporting findings:

1. By age nine a person’s moral foundations are in place. After age nine, most people simply refine their views.
2. By age 12, many people have determined the personal significance of Christ’s death and resurrection.
3. People who accept Christ before their teen years are more likely to remain committed Christians as adults.
4. Consistently explaining and modeling biblical principles are critical factors in the spiritual development of children.

(From Barna’s 2003 book, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions)

Sunday School teachers are in a unique position, along with parents, to consistently explain and model the biblical truths. For many children, the Sunday School teacher is their only source for hearing, understanding, observing a model. All of this underscores the importance of foundational teaching with preschoolers and children.

Here are a few tips for children’s Sunday School teachers as they deal with children and salvation…

• Treat each child and his decision individually.
• Avoid group appeals.
• Encourage children to express personal ideas and feelings.
• Involve parents.
• Listen carefully to the child’s questions and answers.
• Leave the door open for future conversations.
• Keep the conversation on the child’s level, and use the Bible.
• Follow-up.
• Talk with parents and offer assistance.
• Encourage children to make public their decision.
• Reassure children who are not ready.

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Marie Clark is the Bible-Teaching and Discipling Team Leader for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. She has taught children in a variety of settings in her church and also directed a week-long children’s camp for more than 20 years.

It seems outreach to guests and potential Sunday School members gets harder and harder in today’s culture. Chili, Cards and Calls has become an annual fall event for Nall Avenue Baptist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, to make a large number of contacts in a short time.  The premise is simple: challenge Sunday School leaders and members to come eat chili, then choose whether to reach out through postcards or phone calls. Most years, a Pizza, Pens, and Phones variation is held in late winter or early spring.

Here is what the Sunday School leaders do to make it work. Get the leadership on board, then:

• Promote It. Chili, Cards, and Calls is promoted in the bulletin, church newsletter, and Sunday School departments/classes for three weeks prior to the outreach date. The meal is both a motivation and a reward for coming. Highlight no cooking, no dishes, plus fellowship. Even child care is provided for preschoolers!
• Make It a Churchwide Event. Each class is asked to have at least two members participate, though many classes have five or more. Hey, it’s a fun evening! Sign-up sheets provide members a way to make a definite commitment and also help cooks know how much chili to prepare. Because it is a church-wide fellowship with Adult class members, it offers encouragement to Preschool, Children, and Youth teachers who may feel isolated.
• Prepare for It. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers for members and prospects are available by class, plus a generous supply of postcards. (Your church can make its own postcards on 8 ½ x 11” cardstock, cut into quarters.) Volunteers are enlisted to make chili or bring basic chili accompaniments. 

Supper is served from 6:00-6:30 p.m. After brief instructions, adults pick up their class ministry lists and begin calls or writing cards—whichever they are most comfortable doing. Messages should focus on positives such as what is happening at the church, the next study topic, or an upcoming social or special church event.  The goal is to contact every guest from the last six months, recent absentees, and as many other members as possible; don’t forget to include the faithful attenders just to say thanks!

What a thrill to see classes gathered around tables writing notes or making a call. Grade school children, as young as 1^st grade, love sitting with teachers who help them write postcards to their peers. Of course teenagers display their own unique styles when writing cards. Adults who finish early often join Preschool teachers to be sure every small child receives their very own piece of mail. Everyone is on their way home no later than 7:30 p.m.

Most recently, 55 adults, youth and children participated—representing one out of every six people present in Sunday School the previous Sunday. In less than one hour, more than 300 cards were written and 40 phone calls made. Perhaps best of all, some adults who had never been involved found out they could participate and enjoy being involved in outreach and inreach activities.  Perhaps Chili, Cards and Calls can help your Sunday School reach out and stay in contact.

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Marie Clark is team leader for the Bible Teaching & Discipling Team of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. She is a member of Nall Avenue Baptist Church where she currently serves through the Welcome Ministry.