Illustrations by Mark Herron

Shuddering shoulders. Gushing tears. Gasping for air. Worst of all, she was huddled in the fetal position.

Hearing Lindseys cries from the corner of the hall, I hurried over and crouched down next to the distraught student. She wailed at me through her tears, Why didnt I say more? Why didnt I say more? God counted on meI messed upand now Davids gone!

Lindsey, tell me what happened.

Peering at me through her streaked mascara, she began her story: With one minute left in the class, I started talking with David. He asked me what I did over the weekend. I said I went to church. He asked if I read the Bible. I said most days, but not every day.

Lindsey wiped her tears and added with a shaky voice: Then he told me, I went to church once, but that was a long time ago. After that, the bell rang and we went our separate ways. I should have said morethat was probably his last chance to hear about God. Maybe he wouldnt have killed himself. Tears erupted again.

As a school counselor, I knew I had to say a silent prayer quickly and choose my words carefully: Lindsey, when David asked you what you did over the weekend, what went through your mind?

I knew I should mention church, but I was afraid he would make fun of me.

But did you say it anyway? I asked.

Yes.

Lindsey, God knew there was only one minute left in class. If He had wanted you to say more, He would have caused your conversation to start earlier. You said exactly what God wanted you to say. He used you to remind David about God and His love for David. We dont know what happened in Davids life in the hours between your conversation and when he committed suicide. I believe God divinely used you to remind David of His love for him.

Lindsey blinked to clear her tears.

Lindsey, God picked you to say those brief comments about Him, because He knew you would be faithful and strong enough to say those words. Since you were faithful in that one-minute conversation, God knows you will be faithful with similar situations in the future. God is proud of you, and I am too!

Lindsey managed a smile and gave me a big hug.

Lindsey had not become an on mission Christian over night. I can think of many reasons why she was able to rise to the occasion with teens who needed Christ, such as David. The first was her decision for salvation at a young age. Lindsey accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of eight. Her parents took her to church and Sunday school, encouraging her to attend even when she became a teen, the age when kids often rebel. Her early faith in Christ and her solid grounding in biblical teachings gave her the foundation of knowing Gods love for her, and the courage to help others to experience His love too.

For 25 years Ive worked with thousands of children ages six to 19 as a teacher, counselor, youth director, or coach in Christian schools or public schools and in part-time or full-time ministry.

Most of my experiences with young people have been wonderful, but some have been challenging because of the coarsening of society and its effects on our students. Unfortunately, Ive seen more and more Davids in our schools, kids who choose suicide or other kinds of violence. I was even called upon to help counsel students at neighboring Columbine High School after its horrific tragedy. I know how much the younger generation needs to know and depend on Christ for their strength, direction and hope.

Ive found that kids who have a solid faith in Jesus Christ and learn the fundamentals of being on mission Christians grow up to have a rich Christian walk in adulthood. So, how can we help children develop that kind of faith in God and a lifestyle of sharing Him with others?

One of the most quoted verses in the Bible for parents is train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). A new nationwide survey by Barna Research Group provides some statistical support for that notion: seven of 10 American adults (71 percent) had a period of time during their childhood when they regularly attended a Christian church. A majority of those who attended church as a youngster still attend regularly today (61 percent), while a larger majority of those who were not church-goers as children are still absent from churches today (78 percent).

Keith Johnson of Group Publishing in his article Sharing Faith in Christ, Childrens Ministries Magazine, says, eighty-five percent of people who receive Jesus Christ as Savior do so between the ages of four and 14.

Thats the time in a childs life to lay a foundation for an on mission lifestyle. Children can learn the value of being on mission through the experiences that help them share Jesus, says Rob Carr, childrens mission education strategist for the North American Mission Board. They can learn to pray for specific people who need Jesus, to partner with each other in service and to present the gospel to people. Children have an I can do it too approach to mission work. They want to tell people about Jesus and His love for them.

So, how can you share Christ with your children or grandchildren? Remember that talking about salvation with children should be done in age appropriate terms. You cant talk with a 7-year-old the same way you talk with a 17-year-old.

Dr. Mary Manz Simon, practical parenting specialist, says, As parents we are compelled to meet our childrens needs in developmentally appropriate ways. As Christians we have the responsibility to tell Gods story. This means that as Christian parents we use our God-given talents and knowledge of our child to support the childs journey with Jesus.

It begins when we hold a childs hand before a meal, bow our head and say, Thank you, Jesus. A year later, we sing hymns as we rock a feverish toddler to sleep. Then our preschooler sees Christian compassion when we help an elderly neighbor carry groceries into the house. In the next season of life, our third grader gets a look at forgiveness when we forgive the car pool driver who is lateagain. And so it goes.

As we model Christian behavior, our child sees the results of our personal commitment to Christ. This lays the groundwork. At some point, the parent realizes that talking about individual responsibility for a commitment is appropriate and that the child is readyprobably for the beginning of many conversations.

Pointers for developmental stages:

Ages 2-6
Keep the message of salvation simple. Check for understanding. Ask questions.

Be careful of the phrase ask Jesus into your heart. One little boy went home from church in tears. He told his mother that he wanted to accept Jesus into his heart, but he couldnt because Jesus was too big, and He wouldnt fit.

Dont pressure them to make a decision for Christ. They may do it just to please you.

Ages 7-11
Love them unconditionally. Children will understand Gods love for them through your actions toward them.

Help them realize that God is in charge of the universe, and that He will always be with them.

Let them know they dont have to do anything to earn their salvationits a free gift from God with no strings attached. Kids can use the On Mission to Share Jesus (OMTSJ) bracelet above to share Christ with their friends.

Ages 12-15
Walk the talkyour kids are observant and critical at this stage and will be watching your life. Will they want the faith you have?

Assure them of your love for them. During the time of puberty, they feel unloved.

Peers are more important than ever. Make sure they are in a youth group. Many kids this age accept Christ as their Savior at camps or retreats.

Ages 16-18
Dont play Holy Spirit by trying to manipulate circumstances spiritually.

God knows whats going on.

Be ready at all times to talk about spiritual things. There will be moments when they are ready to talk.

They will long for independence more than ever. They may reject your advice. Remember God will be with them. Pray constantly for them.

Bringing our children or grandchildren to faith in Jesus Christ and encouraging them to become on mission Christians is a process and the greatest privilege of all. Some children make the decision to accept Jesus as their Savior and remain committed to Christ all their lives. Others go through a time of rebellion and seem to turn their backs on God. One girl, who became a Christian at the age of seven, rebelled in the severest of terms. She got into drugs, promiscuity and Satanism, but her mom kept praying for her and continued loving her. At 25, she returned to her faith in Christ, and she is serving God whole-heartedly now as a youth director. In Lael Arringtons book World Proofing Your Kids, the author quotes Book of Virtues author Bill Bennett as saying, It has been said that there is nothing more influential, more determinant in a childs life than the moral power of a quiet example.

As a grandparent you may wonder how much of an impact you can have on your grandchildren. In Light Their Fire For God, Anne and David Harper share three important roles grandparents can play in childrens lives:

1. Encourage the grandkids through letters and phone calls or spending time with them. 2. Pray for them.

3. Teach them Gods Word. A grandparents unconditional love in making children feel special can instill a sense of acceptance in children that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Your support and faith as parents or grandparents is the biggest factor in a childs salvation. Even though it may seem impossible at times, love them unconditionally but make them accountable for their actions. Yes, Jesus loved His disciples, but He also rebuked them when it was necessary. You have the most difficult job in the world! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Walk the talklive your faith authentically before your children. Your life may be the most influential Bible they will ever read. God handpicked you to be the parent or grandparent of the children in your family. He will give you everything you need for the job He has called you to do. If you need help, plenty of qualified people can assist you. God believes in youso you can believe in your children and pass your faith on to them.

Dr. Mary Manz Simon adds, At every stage of a childs journey, by direct teaching and modeling Christ-like behavior, we nurture a child to grow up with Jesus. During the seasons of life, we miss opportunities. We mess up (and so do our children). But as on mission parents and grandparents, we take seriously the words of the psalmist who wrote, We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done (Psalm 78:4). And when we embrace those words, a child isnt the only one to grow up with Jesus. We grow, too.

Sandy Austin is a school counselor in Lakewood, Colorado, and author of the forthcoming book Angry Kids and Parents Who Love Them (Beacon Hill Press, 2002).