Show Them Jesus

1. Beyond Moralism: The Gospel's Core Message

“Sunday school curriculum is relentlessly moralistic. That is, it tells you what to do, but not how to do it.”

The core problem. Many children grow up in Christian homes and churches learning what to do, but not how to do it. This moralistic teaching, focused on behavior rather than the person and work of Christ, leaves kids uncaptured by the gospel. They often leave the church as soon as possible, realizing that lessons about behavior didn't truly change them.

Jesus is the "how." The solution is to take kids back to Jesus Christ and him crucified, as Paul taught. This means making Jesus the central theme of every lesson, not just an occasional mention. The cross is the engine of the Christian life, providing the power and motivation for genuine change, far beyond mere external obedience.

A rock-their-world vision. Our goal is to give children a "rock-their-world" vision of Jesus, convincing them that he is "a zillion times better" than anything else. This supernatural battle requires earnest prayer and faith, not just easy-to-follow lesson plans. When kids are truly captured by the gospel, their lives and eternities are transformed.

2. The Scandalous Nature of True Good News

“This is the great mystery of the gospel in the blood of Christ, that those who sin every day should have peace with God all their days.”

Not typical religion. The good news (euangélion) is not about what we do to earn God's approval, but what Jesus has already done for us. Unlike other religions that demand performance, Christianity offers a relationship based on Christ's finished work. This truth is often scandalous, offending both those who seek worldly wisdom and those who rely on self-righteousness.

Christ died for our sins. The essence of the gospel is that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, died and was resurrected for our sins. He took our place as a substitute, bearing our curse, shame, guilt, and God's wrath. This means that through faith, we are completely accepted and loved by a holy God, despite our ongoing sin.

Beyond forgiveness. The good news is more than just escaping punishment; it's new life. It means we are declared "not guilty" (justification), adopted as God's children, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live holy lives (sanctification). This ongoing reality fuels our confident Christian walk, making us eager to serve God out of gratitude, not obligation.

3. Gospel for All: Constant Fuel for Every Child

“Today, a frightening number of kids are growing up in churches and Christian homes without ever being captured by the gospel of Jesus.”

The "gospel-day" trap. Many teachers fall into the trap of reserving the gospel for specific "gospel days," making it feel artificial and pressured. This approach neglects the constant need for the good news, especially for church kids who may assume they are fine because of their religious upbringing or activities. Studies show many church kids drop out, never truly captured by Jesus.

Unsaved and saved need it. Both unsaved and saved children desperately need to see Jesus regularly. Unsaved kids need the Spirit's new birth, which comes through hearing and believing the gospel, not just "saying a prayer." Saved kids, even those who appear devout, often struggle with insecurity, smugness, or complacency, needing the gospel to grow in genuine love and trust for God.

The cross must grow. As children grow in their understanding of God's holiness and their own sinfulness, their appreciation for the cross must also expand. Without a continually growing grasp of Christ's forgiveness and righteousness, they risk despair or self-righteousness. The gospel is the "double force" that both draws us to Jesus in love and empowers us to flee from sin.

4. Heart Transformation: Love for Jesus Over Rules

“Only that which can go down into the very depths of our spiritual being can produce any change that is worthy of the name. The one spell that can really transform us is THE CROSS.”

Beyond surface behavior. Kids are naturally "factory-preset" to try to earn points with God, even turning gospel lessons into moralistic rules. True Christian obedience isn't just about outward actions; it must stem from a deep love for God. Without this love, "obedience" is often selfish, manipulative, or temporary, leading to pride or frustration.

Love for God is foundational. Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Any "obedience" without this love is not true obedience. The Bible teaches, "We love because he first loved us," meaning love for God grows as we grasp the breathtaking beauty of Jesus and his unconditional love for us.

A new affection. Only a stronger love for Jesus can overpower and displace our love for sin. A "good-news kid" is confident in Christ's love, admits wrongs, confesses sin, and serves God out of joy, not a need for approval. This heart-level change, fueled by the gospel, leads to genuine, lasting transformation and zealous good works.

5. Jesus: The Theme Song of All Scripture

“Christ alone makes all other things suddenly vanish.”

One epic story. The Bible is not a collection of isolated moral lessons, but one epic story about God saving his people, centered on Jesus. Every part of Scripture, from laws and prophecies to poems and narratives, points to Christ's death, resurrection, repentance, and forgiveness of sins. To teach any part of the Bible without connecting it to Jesus is to miss its main point.

Old Testament leads to Jesus. Old Testament stories, like Balaam and his talking donkey, reveal God's character and work, often leaving "unsettled problems" or tensions. These are fully resolved in Jesus. We can teach the Old Testament by asking:

• What is God doing for his people?
• Who is God in this story?
• What problem/tension is left unsettled?
  Then, show how Jesus fulfills or solves these, making the original point even richer.

Avoid "Bad God, Good God." Do not fall into the trap of thinking God's character changes between the Old and New Testaments. God is consistently loving, just, and holy throughout. We teach with Jesus in view not to soften God's image, but to sharpen everything, revealing his white-hot glory and love most fully at the cross.

6. Unveiling Jesus: His Work and Person in the New Testament

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.”

Beyond surface lessons. When teaching the New Testament, avoid reducing stories to simple moral lessons (e.g., sharing from the boy with loaves). Instead, delve into the larger context of Jesus's saving work and the specific details of his person. The Gospels, Acts, and Epistles are saturated with the good news, which we miss if we read them with narrow vision.

The work of Jesus. Understand the overarching storyline of each New Testament book. For example, Jesus's encounter with Mary and Martha, on his way to Jerusalem, teaches that he frees us from the pressure of serving God, inviting us to simply come to him. The Good Samaritan parable, in context, shows Jesus as the ultimate "neighbor" who loved us, his enemies, making it possible for us to love others.

The person of Jesus. Kids need to be "wonder-struck" by Jesus himself, not just what he gives them. By slowing down and observing details in Gospel accounts—like Jesus touching a leper or his gentle response to Martha—we reveal his audacious self-confidence, compassion, humility, and unwavering love. This "longest list" of Jesus's perfections helps kids see God's true character and fall in love with the man himself.

7. Cultivating a Gospel-Centered Environment

“Let such as have received great things from God maintain a certain greatness of spirit suitable to their interest in him.”

Beyond planned lessons. Our teaching extends beyond formal lesson times; every interaction and the overall environment we create teaches something. A "good-news environment" in classrooms, camps, and homes is crucial, contrasting with the world's performance-based culture. This environment is:

• Sin-aware: Expects everyone to have problems only Jesus can fix.
• Grace-aware: Celebrates Christ's work and gives God credit for growth.
• Heart-focused: Addresses inner attitudes, not just outward behavior.
• Jesus-delightful: Communicates that nothing is more enjoyable than Jesus.

Dealing with misbehavior. When kids misbehave, avoid mere scolding or guilt-tripping. Instead, address the heart, offer genuine forgiveness, and confess your own struggles. This models repentance and creates a safe space for kids to admit sin, knowing that the best place to be caught in sin is next to Jesus, who offers both condemnation-free forgiveness and power to change.

Good-news encouragement. Build "Christ-esteem," not self-esteem. When you see growth in a child, credit God's work in their life, not their own efforts. In discussions, use questions that connect the good news to daily life, fostering gratitude, confidence, hope, and comfort. In worship, choose songs that praise God for his saving work, ensuring Jesus, not gimmicks or entertainment, is the primary draw.

8. Fighting Sin: A Gospel-Powered Battle

“The oil of joy is poured chiefly into a broken heart.”

Repentance is grace. The Christian life is a lifelong war against sin, but it's fought with God, not for God's approval. Repentance is a gift, a "holy act" that honors Jesus and the cross. Kids need to understand that their identity in Christ as "holy brothers" empowers them to fight sin, rather than defining them as "sinners trying to be holy."

Beneath the surface. Surface sins (e.g., enjoying lewd music) are like a shark's fin; the real monster lurks deeper. We must help kids identify the underlying idols or fears (e.g., selfish desire for thrills, fear of disapproval) that fuel their sin. At the deepest level, sin is often rooted in unbelief—a failure to fully trust that Jesus provides ultimate joy, approval, and security.

Rely on the Spirit. Kids have no power in themselves to conquer sin; true change comes from the Holy Spirit. We must urge them to relentlessly seek God through his ordinary tools:

• God's Word: Reading the Bible and hearing it preached.
• Prayer: Constant, dependent communication with God.
  These disciplines are not magic or bargaining chips, but oxygen for running the race, connecting kids to the Spirit's power and bringing them closer to God himself.

9. Prayer: The Heartbeat of Gospel Living

“The great duty of prayer is to catch a sight of God in heaven, and Christ at his right hand.”

Why we struggle. Many teachers, like the author, struggle with prayer due to pride, fear of discomfort, or a performance mindset. Yet, prayer is "the chief exercise of faith" and foundational to living out the good news. It's where we acknowledge our weakness and tap into God's power, making us effective teachers and authentic believers.

Prayer is condemnation-free. Prayer should never make us feel guilty. We have access to God only through Jesus, who intercedes for us. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, groaning on our behalf. God is our loving Father, eager to hear our prayers, no matter how imperfect. This truth frees us to approach him with confidence, not fear or a need to impress.

On-the-spot and no-rules. Cultivate a culture of prayer by practicing "on-the-spot" prayer whenever a need arises, teaching kids to turn to God for everything. Implement "no-rules" prayer in groups, emphasizing that prayer is about honest communication with the Father, not pious postures or fancy words. This builds a habit of constant dependence on God, fostering a deep sense of his presence and care in every aspect of life.

10. Integrity: Living the Gospel You Teach

“Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

Practice what you preach. Students demand integrity from their teachers. It's not enough to teach the good news; we must live it out daily, demonstrating its power and conviction. The author's personal failure to accept a skiing invitation due to pride and insecurity highlights how easily we can betray the gospel we proclaim, prioritizing worldly reputation over Christ's righteousness.

Daily repentance and revival. We constantly mess up, serving idols and putting fears before God. But the good news offers tremendous hope: we can repent daily, treasure God's forgiveness, and believe in our identity as his beloved children. Growth isn't about sinning less on our own, but about increasing dependence on Jesus in our weakness, teaching the gospel first to our own hearts.

Dying to self. Living the gospel means dying daily to the world's cheap honors and self-absorbed desires. When confronted with personal sin, like the author's anger at camp, it's an opportunity for grace: confessing sin, turning to Jesus for forgiveness, and embracing sonship. This leads to genuine humility, renewed joy, and a willingness to serve others, even when it means sacrificing personal pride.