In his book Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, Christian researcher George Barna claims, “If people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, the chance of their doing so at all is slim.”
To support his statement, Barna reported research in which he discovered that while there is a 32 percent probability for someone between the ages of 5 and 12 to believe in Christ, there is only a 6 percent probability for someone 19 or older – a notable 26 percent decrease.
Barna’s findings, coupled with those of other Christian researchers, have led to what is now coined the “4-14 Window,” or the ages at which most individuals are believed to come to know Christ.
The 4-14 Window entails its particular age frame for multiple reasons. According to Dr. Dan Brewster, former director of international academic programs for Compassion International, children are one of the most exploited, victimized, and suffering demographics globally, making them more receptive to messages of faith and hope.
“People tend to be receptive when their lives are disrupted. The poor and exploited tend to be much more receptive to the Gospel. There is no people group today whose lives are more disrupted than those of children and youth,” Brewster said.
UNICEF reports that one billion children currently lack necessities such as food and water. U.S. Census data indicates an increasing child poverty rate. Children are exploited, manipulated, and abused by online predators. They are on the frontlines of today’s culture wars, constantly being immersed in conflicting ideologies. They are the ones who suffer most when marriages end and home lives are disrupted.
In the face of statistics such as these, the world looks pretty bleak for the next generations. But is it?
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”
The tides of history shift over time, but what we have in common with those who walked before us is that we are all broken people in desperate need of a perfect Savior – a Savior who has already come to earth, lived a perfect life, paid for our sins in full, and promised to return one day to make all things right.
Jesus, the same Jesus who revealed the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children (Matthew 19:14), also promised that in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33). What would be an otherwise bleak promise is instead radically transformed by His next promise that we can take courage because He has already overcome the world.
It’s easy in the face of today’s troubles and the overwhelming sprawl of technology to warn children of the dark road that lies ahead. It’s easy to focus on the deep depravity of mankind instead of the mighty works God is actively doing through His people.
Each of us cannot forget the little lights of ours – lights that may start off small but when joined together illuminate the love of Christ at work in our world. These lights form the torch that must be handed off to the next generation.
“A church that is great at helping 4- to 14-year-olds flourish spiritually will attract those who are looking for a church to call home. If a church wants to be missional with families, it must be missional with the kids,” said Steve Chang, pastor of Living Hope Community Church in Brea, California.
It can be easy for a church member to check out of kids’ ministry if they themselves do not have children or their children have grown into adults. However, it is precisely those volunteers – the volunteers who have no other reason to be attending church camp in the scorching summer sun than the transforming love of Jesus – that have the opportunity to make the most impact.
Children notice relational investments. They notice what questions they’re asked; they notice who helps them glue popsicle sticks together. They can easily discern which volunteers care and genuinely want to spend time with them.
How are you actively engaging with the children in your congregation? What steps are you taking to leave a legacy of faith for younger generations?
It’s been said that “the Gospel moves at the speed of relationships,” and ultimately, the gospel is about a Father wanting a relationship with His children so desperately that He sent His only Son to die for us all.
That’s the life-changing love today’s children need to see. That’s the life-changing love with which they must be equipped to face tomorrow’s challenges for eternity’s souls.
