Below is a presentation of the gospel for children on the internet. Besides the squiggly letters and a few childish sound effects, what do you think about it? Was the gospel presented clearly?

If you hadn’t noticed, the video started every time you visited this blog. That became annoying, so instead of embedding it here, you can access it through the following link:

The Gospel for Kids

Is it just me or did heaven seem to be the ultimate goal of salvation in this video? Did Jesus die so you can go to heaven? While heaven will be the future home of all believers, I doubt the wisdom of presenting heaven as a reason for receiving Christ. The real goal of salvation is to reconcile sinful man to God, thereby restoring the relationship (2 Cor. 5:18-21). Even eternal life is more than living in heaven for eternity. Jesus himself equated it with knowing God the Father (John 17:3). In other words, eternal life is an eternal relationship with God.

So, why make heaven the big deal? Perhaps the author of the video thought kids wouldn’t understand their need to be made right with God. Or maybe heaven is more of a drawing card when compared to God himself. Our attempts at preaching the gospel to children have simplified the gospel into something that doesn’t get the real message across. That’s more serious than you may think. It could be that children will get the idea that the gospel is simply a formula you have to know to get to heaven, when it is actually our only way to know God.

Think about that.