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Targeting Children

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by canadyjd, Aug 6, 2007.

?
  1. Yes

    16 vote(s)
    64.0%
  2. No

    7 vote(s)
    28.0%
  3. I don't know

    2 vote(s)
    8.0%
  1. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Should we target minor (under 17) children, on the street or in a public place, for gospel presentation without their parent's permission? I don't mean Christian kids talking to their own age group. I mean adults, going out for the specific purpose to preach the gospel to young teens and pre-teens.

    peace to you:praying:
     
    #1 canadyjd, Aug 6, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2007
  2. mmetts

    mmetts New Member

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    I voted for spreading the Gospel message to minors.
     
  3. Filmproducer

    Filmproducer Guest

    Depends on the situation and the age of the children, IMO.
     
  4. Joe

    Joe New Member

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    It depends. On a street corner is not a good place because the child's parent may become alarmed.
    If a child is visiting in our home and the parents are not christians, then it's fair game :thumbs:

    I have also spoken with a few kids who rode their bikes to the park. They are pre-teens.

    I thought of inviting them bike riding with our family very soon, hopefully their parents will allow it. For now, I will ride my bike hoping to run into them.
     
    #4 Joe, Aug 6, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2007
  5. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    Well, considering how many children get turned loose on their own to run the malls or Walmart parking lots, I can see having an organized effort to reach those (older) teens.

    Younger children shouldn't be approached by a stranger. A couple perhaps would be able to speak with parents and then with their permission the child. I for one am very fussy about who I allow to speak to my child in any way other than a casual word of greeting. I'm even more fussy about who talks to my child about religion.

    I'm not going to automatically approve someone because they happen to be holding a Bible in their hand.
     
  6. jshurley04

    jshurley04 New Member

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    Target, KIDS!

    It is actually a yes and no answer to your question. The problem is that our society is very hyper sensitive about children and child preditors and frankly, our churches do not have the best reputation any longer.

    It must be done very carfully otherwise we risk being accused of being inappropriate with children when we are simply trying to speak a word of truth to them.
     
  7. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. I don't talk to young children, other than a casual hello, without their parent's permission.

    peace to you:praying:
     
  8. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for voting all who voted.:thumbs:

    peace to you:praying:
     
  9. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    The way each of us lives shows the Gospel, or lack of it, to every person we are in contact with, regardless of age.

    If a little kid tells me I'm really nice, I can always say, "Thank you. Jesus changed me from the yucky person I was before!"
     
  10. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    And that is an age appropriate response as well.

    I probably would say something like, "but I was born with original sin, in total depravity, but I am now clothed in the forensic righteousness of Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the second person of the Trinity, who has shed His grace on me (which means unmerited favor), (which means I can't work my way to salvation), so that I may be regenerated into a new creation, (which means I am born again) capable of responding in faith and love.":laugh:

    "Jesus changed me from the yucky person I was before" is going to make so much better sense to a child.

    peace to you:praying:
     
  11. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    I think there are ways to do this without being alarming. Shouldn't we be aiming towards the parents as well?
     
  12. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Of course we should. I asked this question as a follow up from the news/current events thread concerning the Gideons.

    Someone stated the Gideons were targeting the same age group of children (elementary/middle school) that we all should be targeting. I disagree. I don't think we should be "targeting" children.

    I just don't think we ought to be engaging children in these kinds of conversations without their parent's permission.

    peace to you:praying:
     
  13. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    A couple of weeks ago, my wife took the kids to the local pool. She was sitting under the shelter (out of the sun), while the kids played and swam. (It is a very small public pool)

    A man came over to my 5 yr. old and started talking to him, asking where his parents were, etc.. My wife immediately confronted him, as they were only a few feet away. He introduced himself as the new pastor at one of the churches in town, and invited her to church.

    Now, my son wasn't in trouble, wasn't doing anything wrong or dangerous, and was being supervised by my wife and his siblings (10 and 16). The man never explained to my wife why he had chosen my son to talk to. He didn't say he looked lost or frightened or looked to be in trouble. He just walked up and started a conversation with a five year old.

    Now, I want to give the man the benefit of the doubt about his motives. He probably thought since my son is so good looking, his daddy must be too (sorry to disappoint), and maybe wanted to recruit good-looking people to his church.:laugh:

    The point is, however, my wife didn't know him, my son didn't know him, and he should have known better. We tell all of our children not to talk to strangers. And a stranger is every adult we don't know personally.

    peace to you:praying:
     
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