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One of the most heartbreaking experiences in Barrouallie is working with children who know they are going to Hell, but don’t clearly understand the gospel.

Yesterday a boy named Renerick came to visit and I asked him “if God asked you why he should let you into Heaven what would you say?”  His response was to “say please” and “promise that he would be good.”  After hearing the Gospel Renerick said he was ready to accept Jesus, but didn’t quite understand it yet.

The problem is children like Renerick have a head knowledge of the Gospel but it hasn’t impacted their hearts.

One of the best ways move from the head to the heart is a “three-minute Gospel

1. This is a Gospel presentation that focuses on major Bible themes
2. Is linked to Bible stories you tell
3. Can be explained very quickly (under three minutes)
4. Is easy to memorize
5. And uses pictures

The goal of a three-minute Gospel is for the child (or adult) to memorize the Gospel, which then allows the Holy Spirit to bring conviction

The best three-minute Gospel presentation I’ve found comes from Centri-kid camps and uses five major points

1. God Rules:  The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in
   charge of everything. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17
2. We sinned :  We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. Romans 3:23; 6:23
3. God Provided:  God sent Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
4. Jesus Gives:  He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity.  This is the best gift ever! Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9
5. We respond:   Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10,13

It is true that this Gospel presentations a bit “basic” but we as Christians need both a three-minute Gospel, and a 30 minute Gospel.

•  The three-minute Gospel is shared repeatedly until a person understands the Gospel
• The thirty-minute Gospel explains God’s truth to those who understand God’s plan, but reject it, or have lots of questions.

I live for the moment when Renericks eyes will light up because he fully grasps the Gospel. But until that day my job is to repeatedly share God’s plan and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.