There are over 6 billion people in the world and it is estimated that one in six (or 1 billion) profess Christ.

For several years now missiologists have provided information about the 10-40 window. This is a geographic designation 10 degrees south and 40 degrees north of the equator, and is inhabited by a vast number of people groups that have yet to be reached with the gospel. It is estimated that as many as two-thirds of the lost people in the world live in this window.

Another window of opportunity to present the gospel is the 4-14 Window. This 4-14 window, however, is not a geographic location. The 4-14 window is a chronological, developmental window. This window identifies that children in the age bracket of 4-14 years have a 32% probability of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Researchers now suggest that adults 18 and over have only a 6% probability of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior.

While research into this phenomenon is recent, the phenomenon itself is as old as mankind. Developmental and educational psychologists in the 20^th century discovered a fact of life built into humanity from creation: children grow and mature in a developmental sequence which leads them to be sensitive to and aware of spiritual influences in their middle to late childhood. This tendency is so strong that some educators assert that what a child believes by age 13 remains relatively unchanged throughout their life.

If evangelism is the process of individuals coming to understand the gospel and responding positively to it, how might we aid that process for our children?

First, it is always important to use simple, clear language when presenting the gospel. This is true whether we are focused on winning children or adults. This means we must avoid “Christianese”, with its tendency toward theological language and church slang that often seems obscure to those outside the Church. Using age appropriate lessons and visual illustrations, even acting out stories or playing games, may help overcome this difficulty.

Second, instruction that is simple and clear will aid the process of response to the gospel. A printed sample prayer can aid in reflection. Discipleship classes can be built around this simple, clear instruction, and can be tailored to specific age groups.

Third, age appropriate evangelism understands the implications of development while being sensitive to the 4-14 window. Children’s workers and pastors do not need to be trained psychologists to understand that children process information differently as they grow and develop. Noted psychologist Jean Piaget observed his own children and developed a broader understanding of the human development of thought. A very simplified description of his work shows four stages of development. While Piaget assigned a chronology to those stages, more recent investigations suggest that there can be significant individual variation within the middle childhood years, during which children in the United States begin the early years of elementary education.

Piaget’s Developmental Stages

Sensorimotor Stage 0-2 years

       Largely non-verbal communication

       The idea that objects to not cease to exist when out of sight develops

Preoperational Stage 2-7 years

       Language and symbolic thought begin to emerge

       Intuitive thought is favored over logical thought

       Egocentric thought (If I feel this way, surely you do, too)

Concrete Operational Stage 7-11 years

  Simplified use of time, space, volume and number

       Begin to see the world from other perspectives

Formal Operations Stage 11+ years

       Can now think on abstract principles and hypothetical possibilities

       Inductive and deductive reasoning are now used

By Clint Cook

Since Christmas was just a few weeks ago, I thought I would share a short story about my four year old grandson, Samuel. With the family Christmas tree sparkling and the house decorated, it was no surprise that my grandson could barely contain his excitement about Christmas.  Shortly before Christmas, my daughter shared that Samuel had spent hours keeping busy by finding an old toy or other common item like a shoe, and wrapping it up in scrap Christmas wrapping paper.  When his “gift” was wrapped, he would carry the “gift” gently, sit in front of his mom and dad, and proceed to tear open the package to reveal the old, worn toy.  He would go so far as to practice his expressions of surprise and excitement so he would be ready when the real Christmas morning came.

I admit I have never heard of a child wanting to practice for Christmas in this way, but Samuel believed it made absolute sense to practice so he would be 100% ready for that special day – Christmas.

That story reminds me of what all believers should be doing in this new year of 2015.  Each and every Sunday this year we will gather together and, in some sense, unwrap the joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus through our worship and service to the Lord.  For some, this time of worship may actually look and feel a little old, worn, outdated, and no longer worthy of our excitement.  It is then that we must remind ourselves that each new worship experience is essentially a rehearsal or practice for that special day.  On that special day, there will no longer be things that are old, worn or boring.  Everything will be new!  On that special day we will see our Savior face to face!  The joy and excitement will be everything that the Apostle Paul said that it would be:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Until that special day comes, each worship service should be a holy rehearsal.  We must practice our expressions of joy by rejoicing with new believers in their newfound faith and baptism.  We must practice our words of praise and adoration by proclaiming our love and appreciation for our Savior through preaching, singing and prayer.  We must direct our overwhelming anticipation for that special day by communicating an urgency for the lost to accept Christ as Savior through the services in our churches and our testimonies of God’s forgiveness, provision, and guidance to our friends, families and co-workers.  This holy rehearsal is not a child’s game – it is the most important thing any of us can do in 2015!

May all General Baptists practice, practice, practice until that real day comes!  May this year of 2015 be marked as a continuous celebration of worship, service and proclamation of opening the greatest Christmas gift ever – JESUS!