Social media has become a dominant force today, and children use their smart devices to learn about the world. This phenomenon has led to a trend in Western countries where people are returning to using basic phones.
In this context, figuring out how to pass on the gospel to the next generation indeed poses a challenge. Twenty years ago, Sunday School was booming, with the hope of implanting the gospel in children's minds through exam-oriented education. However, the outcome fell short of expectations, as the percentage of these children becoming Christians when they entered society was far less than anticipated.
The best way to spread the gospel is not through exam questions or forcing children to memorize key points. Jesus’ way of spreading the gospel was not like a teacher highlighting important points in a classroom. Instead, He took his disciples into the people; he moved from place to place, responding to people’s needs. When someone was sick, he healed them; when someone was confused, he provided answers; and when someone was hungry, he allowed them to pick grains on the Sabbath, breaking the law.
Here are four suggestions on how to pass the faith to children.
Tell the story of Jesus well
Before telling the story of Jesus, we should not be obsessed with making children believe that Jesus is the Savior. We just need to share his life story, his love for neighbors, his adherence to covenants, and his sense of responsibility. Speaking about Jesus’ inner pain, joy, anxiety, and weaknesses, we should also be prepared to answer the children's questions.
Explore the outdoors with children
We cannot pass on the responsibility of spreading the gospel to children through mobile apps. Don’t let them hold smart devices to experience God’s greatness through a screen. God created mountains and seas, not screens. By observing the grandeur of nature, we can experience God’s greatness and our smallness—His creation and our place within it.
Adhere to the principles of covenant
In interactions with children, we often say, “We can do it, but you can’t because you’re still a child!” This makes them feel unequal. When making rules, we should include ourselves as well. If we tell children not to smoke, then we must not smoke either; if we tell them not to hold onto their phones all the time, then we shouldn’t do it either. Let children experience the power and equality of the covenant so that when they read about God’s covenant, they will understand His constraints and His deep love for people.
Experience God’s love
God, with unfailing love, does not just meet our material needs. When the devil tempted Jesus, he could have satisfied the flesh, but that is not love but bondage. God’s love for us is shown through giving His only Son to bear our sins. We can show love through our interactions with children to make them feel this kind of love, or we can help neighbors in need, which lets them experience love firsthand.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
今天是个自媒体的世界，孩子们用眼睛在智能终端了解世界。正是这种原因，在今天的欧美兴起了回归功能机的潮流。
在这样的背景下，我们应该怎样将福音传承给下一代，这的确是一个难题。二十年前，如火如荼的主日学兴起，他们希望通过应试教育的方式，将福音嫁接在孩子的脑海里，但是结果却事与愿违。这些孩子走进社会之后，成为基督徒的比例与人们的当初预期相差甚远。
传福音的最好方式，不是将福音变成试题和重点，逼着孩子去记住这些知识点。耶稣传福音的模式，不是像我们老师一样在课堂上划重点。而是带着门徒，走进人群；从一个地方到另一个地方，并且是回应着人们的问题。有人生病了，他就医治；有人困惑了，他就解答；有人饿了，他就打破律法允许人在安息日掐麦穗。
如何给我们的下一代传承福音，这的确值得我们思考。下面给出4个建议。
首先，讲好耶稣的故事。
讲耶稣的故事之前，我们内心就不要有让孩子一定要相信耶稣是救主的应试执念。我们讲耶稣的故事，就讲讲他的成长经历，他对于邻舍的爱，对于契约的遵守，对于责任的承担。同时，我们也要讲述耶稣内心的痛苦、喜乐、焦虑和软弱之处。然后我们也要做好准备来回答孩子的问题。
其次，带着孩子观察世界。我们不能把向孩子传福音的责任，推给手机APP。让孩子抱着智能终端，在镜头里感受上帝创造的伟大之处。上帝创造的是大山、大海，不是一个屏幕。
只有观察大自然的雄浑，我们才能体验到上帝的伟大和我们的渺小；体验上帝的创造和自我的位置。
第三就是我们要坚持契约的原则。在和孩子互动的过程中，很多时候说，“大人可以，你不可以，因为你还是孩子！”让他们体验不到平等的关系。因此，在制定规则的时候，我们就应该把自己也包含进去。告诉孩子不能抽烟，那么家长也不应该抽烟；让孩子不抱着手机，那么家长也不能抱着手机没完。让孩子从小就感受到契约的力量和平等。等到他们阅读到上帝的契约时，他们就能明白上帝对自己的约束，以及对人深沉的爱。
第四呢，除了平等还有爱。上帝爱我们，不是停留在满足我们的物质需求上。魔鬼在试探耶稣的时候，他可以满足他的物质欲望。但是那不是爱，而是束缚。上帝爱我们，将他的独生子赐给我们，担当我们的罪。那么如果想让孩子感受到这种爱，可以通过我们和孩子互动中的爱。我们也可以力所能及地帮助那些需要帮助的邻舍们，让孩子感受到爱。
如何与下一代的互动中中传承福音？
Social media has become a dominant force today, and children use their smart devices to learn about the world. This phenomenon has led to a trend in Western countries where people are returning to using basic phones.
In this context, figuring out how to pass on the gospel to the next generation indeed poses a challenge. Twenty years ago, Sunday School was booming, with the hope of implanting the gospel in children's minds through exam-oriented education. However, the outcome fell short of expectations, as the percentage of these children becoming Christians when they entered society was far less than anticipated.
The best way to spread the gospel is not through exam questions or forcing children to memorize key points. Jesus’ way of spreading the gospel was not like a teacher highlighting important points in a classroom. Instead, He took his disciples into the people; he moved from place to place, responding to people’s needs. When someone was sick, he healed them; when someone was confused, he provided answers; and when someone was hungry, he allowed them to pick grains on the Sabbath, breaking the law.
Here are four suggestions on how to pass the faith to children.
Tell the story of Jesus well
Before telling the story of Jesus, we should not be obsessed with making children believe that Jesus is the Savior. We just need to share his life story, his love for neighbors, his adherence to covenants, and his sense of responsibility. Speaking about Jesus’ inner pain, joy, anxiety, and weaknesses, we should also be prepared to answer the children's questions.
Explore the outdoors with children
We cannot pass on the responsibility of spreading the gospel to children through mobile apps. Don’t let them hold smart devices to experience God’s greatness through a screen. God created mountains and seas, not screens. By observing the grandeur of nature, we can experience God’s greatness and our smallness—His creation and our place within it.
Adhere to the principles of covenant
In interactions with children, we often say, “We can do it, but you can’t because you’re still a child!” This makes them feel unequal. When making rules, we should include ourselves as well. If we tell children not to smoke, then we must not smoke either; if we tell them not to hold onto their phones all the time, then we shouldn’t do it either. Let children experience the power and equality of the covenant so that when they read about God’s covenant, they will understand His constraints and His deep love for people.
Experience God’s love
God, with unfailing love, does not just meet our material needs. When the devil tempted Jesus, he could have satisfied the flesh, but that is not love but bondage. God’s love for us is shown through giving His only Son to bear our sins. We can show love through our interactions with children to make them feel this kind of love, or we can help neighbors in need, which lets them experience love firsthand.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
How to Pass the Gospel to the Next Generation?
