Teaching World Evangelism Through Christian Parenting

How can we help our kids view themselves as part of the global church? While it’s interesting to learn about other cultures, when it comes to Christian parenting and teaching kids about the wider world around them, global evangelism needs to be our main motivation. Kids, and adults alike, should learn to consider and feel concern for the millions of people around the world who don’t have the opportunity to know what Jesus has done for them.

For many believers, Christian parenting often places an emphasis on instilling the Gospel and Christian life principles into young minds. But without being intentional about teaching kids to think of their brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries, we can neglect helping our children and teens to view themselves as part of the global church. Here’s how to teach world evangelism to kids through Christian parenting.

1. Help Kids See the Big Picture

First, when considering how to teach global evangelism through Christian parenting, help kids see the big picture by reminding them that we’re just a small part of God’s Kingdom. It’s easy for the Western church to think “well there’s us, we’re the church, and then there’s everybody else who are—yes, technically a part of the church too—but they’re just a tiny corner.” Not only is this kind of thinking potentially harmful, it’s also factually incorrect. In reality, three-fourths of believers live outside of North America and Europe. That means that three-fourths of believers have a far different culture than Americans and Europeans—a culture it’s our responsibility to teach our kids to respect and pray for through Christian parenting. We can tell our kids, “We are just a teeny tiny part of God’s big, worldwide church.” 

2. Avoid Western Superiority

Second, avoid the trap of slipping into a superior tone when teaching kids about other countries or the mission efforts of Christians there. Avoid world maps that place your country in the center, visually reinforcing that everything revolves around “us”. Instead, make a point to identify positive traits in other countries, emphasizing how privileged and humbled we are to be their brothers and sisters in Christ.

For instance, our Korean and African brothers and sisters are known for their dedication to prayer. Chinese and Middle Eastern believers are known for their courage in faith, because they can lose their jobs, homes, or even their family for believing in Jesus. Many believers in other countries are known for loving to gather and worship so much that their church services go much longer than ours. Many sacrifice dearly to simply own a Bible, and face much persecution and personal risk for believing in Jesus. We can learn much from worldwide believers’ great love for Jesus. Take a proactive approach in Christian parenting by celebrating the efforts and faith of these other believers around the world!

3. Teach Kids to Think of Other Christians as Family

Third, while using Christian parenting to teach kids about global evangelism, it’s important to emphasize how these other believers and people in the world aren’t just names, faces, or the population of a country far away—they’re family. Our brothers and sisters in Christ, or people who desperately need the saving grace of Jesus. This connection we can have with other people we’ve never even met simply through the love of Jesus is sacred. Help kids experience this by talking about how, when Christians travel, we can meet believers in other countries and right away have a special connection with them. Because the most important thing in our lives and in theirs—belief in Jesus—is something we share in common, that connection is stronger than even with the people in our own culture.

4. Get Kids Involved in Missions

Fourth, when teaching world evangelism through Christian parenting, help kids feel involved in the action by telling them how the church of Jesus is growing in other countries and how children like them are, and can be, a witness. You can get many stories and photos about children in other countries who are active in the mission field and their communities by subscribing to Impact Magazine, through Child Evangelism Fellowship®.

It’s important that when talking with kids about what’s happening in missions, you use the word “partnership” frequently. Describe how we can assist others who are doing the work, and thus be a partner to them and to God’s Kingdom. Then, move into the responsibility God has given this particular group of children that you are teaching to also be witnesses to those around them. It can be helpful in moments like this, and indeed in all aspects of Christian parenting, to pray together as a family for how you can use the knowledge, abilities, or material blessings you are privileged to have to benefit world missions. Let God be your guide in practical steps you can take, while keeping an open mind.

5. Consider Supporting Missionaries as a Family

Last but not least, as Christian parenting often involves leading by example, consider raising children in an environment where world missions are their responsibility, by regularly supporting a mission organization or believer as a family. This support can take on many forms, whether financial or simply committing to pray for them every week. CEF® has many global ministry options who could use your help, such as our Box of Books program where you can choose a country to support a national believer holding Good News Clubs® in their schools. Through Box of Books, you can send a box of Bible lesson visuals to that needy teacher and country, who can then travel from school to school, or even from group to group in a refugee camp, teaching children about Jesus. Visit www.cefonline.com or click this link for a full list of ways you can give and support mission efforts as a family. Get proactive with your Christian parenting and help children experience the excitement of being part of God’s world-wide church! It’s time we raise a generation of global Christians.