CONCLUSION:

            The first step in understanding the age of accountability is to know there is no certain numerical age in which a child graduates into the age of accountability. It has been said  children are the future leaders of the church. However, let us not forget they are the church of today. Children are as much a part of the faith journey as adults. Children get excited about their love for Jesus. They want to tell others at school, on the ball field, or on the school bus. “One kid leading another kid to the foot of the Cross for a life-changing encounter with Jesus is one of the most prolific and effective means of evangelism in the nation”(Barna. Pg. 49). Faith can begin early in a child’s life, but parents and the church need to be involved in the process. We cannot just leave their spiritual development up to chance. Children can posses the faith necessary for salvation. There is no age at which we can automatically pronounce their readiness to make this decision. Many factors play a role in the accountability of children. Instead of looking for a numerical ‘age’ of accountability, children’s faith should be based on their understanding of God’s Word and why He loves us so much that He gave His one and only son, Jesus, in our place for the redemption of our sins. Until that understanding parents and loved ones can be assured God loves the little children and protects them in His arms of love. “Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world” (George Frederick Root, Clare Herbert Woolston).
And that is my 2 cents worth.

AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY FACTORS:

            There are indicators to look for and questions to ask when it comes to a child’s age of accountability. Scripture is important in understanding a child’s readiness to make the most important decision of their life – to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.  The most important part of leading a child to Christ is to remember you do nothing to make it happen. The Holy Spirit prompts the child and moves them to a decision.

Factors to Consider:

*Developmental Maturity                                                                                                                                                                                                                        *Level of Intelligence                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 *Spiritual Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       *Home Environment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                *ABOVE ALL…God’s Timing

There are some signs of accountability of which to be aware  when talking with children about making a decision to be a Christ follower. Children must understand all of them. But more importantly they should understand there is only way one to be with God in heaven-“Jesus told them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, HCSB).

If a child is not ready, don’t feel like a failure or that the child rejected Christ.  More than likely the child is just not ready.  You are a seed planter. The Holy Spirit convicts, not you. Home environment is important. Developing a biblical worldview in children is an important focus. One must start young so the biblical worldview is solidly in place during childhood but continues into adulthood. He gives two paths to moral decision making—“the bottom line is that a person’s moral foundation is either based upon Christian spirituality and God’s Word, or it is based on worldly perspectives” (Barna, 2003, p. 53).  However, we should remember with God all things are possible.

The following is a list of questions to ask children. Remember to avoid “churchy” words like justification, sanctification, judgment, etc. Words like grace and faith can be difficult, as well.

1. Sin
   1. What is sin?
   2. Who sins?
   3. What are some things people do that God does not like?
   4. Do you ever do anything that God does not like?
   5. What are some things you do that God does not like?
   6. Does God ever sin?
   7. What would we do to heaven if God let us there with sin?
   8. If God cannot let us into heaven with sin in our lives, where are we going to go when we die?
   9. Does God still love us in spite of our sin?
2.  God’s special plan
   1.  Who is the world? (John 3:16)
   2. Do you know about the special plan God has so all people (sinners) can have their sins can be marked out (forgiven) so we can live with Him forever in heaven?
   3. Who is Jesus?
   4. What did Jesus do for us?
   5. Just because Jesus died for the sins of the world, does that mean that everyone automatically goes to heaven?
   6. What things must you do if you want to get to heaven God’s special way?
   7. Admit, Believe, and Confess: This is God’s way.
   8. Can you do one of those really well and still get to heaven?  What about two of them?
   9. If you were to die today where would you go?  Why?
   10. Have you done the three things God requires?
   11. Does all of this make sense?  Is there anything you do not understand?
3.  Your Choice
   1.  Would you like to do the things God requires, so you can go to heaven?
   2. What does God want you to do right now?

                Some of these questions may be intimidating. Let’s start with a definition of sin that children can understand.  Sin is the bad things you do because you have chosen your way instead of God’s way.  Since we need to repent of our sins, repentance is another word children will need explained. For children,  repentance can be described as turning away from your sin and choosing to follow Jesus. Some other terms that are commonly used:

• Saved – When you have asked God to forgive your sin and asked Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord.
• Born Again – When Jesus becomes your Savior and Lord; when you are born into God’s family.
• Give your Heart to Jesus – When you ask Jesus to come into your life to be your Savior and Lord.
• Come Forward – When you walk to the front of the church during a special time of a Worship Service and talk to someone about asking Jesus to be your Savior and Lord or to let others know about a previous decision to ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord.

And that is my 2 cents worth.

CHILDREN AND SALVATION:

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10, HCSB)

            Do children posses what it takes to express a faith in Jesus Christ? Definitely yes! “Our children must one day make the faith their own and give themselves to God, but God graciously draws them toward that day,” (Stonehouse. Pg. 131). Children are able to desire a relationship with God when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Man cannot understand the ways of God. God loves children and wants the best for them. He protected the children in the Old Testament and spoke against those who would try to harm children in the New Testament. “Jesus didn’t talk just to adults. He interacted with children during his ministry years and said things about them that we should consider as we think about our work with children,” (Keeley, pg. 37). Many of the interactions Jesus had with children had to do with healing. Jesus also used children as an example for adults to see how they should live their spiritual life. God even says children believe in Him. “But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!” (Matthew 18:6, HCSB).

“Chart of James Fowler’s Stages of Faith.”   Table 2

James Fowler‘s stages of faith development helps to shed light on not just the cognitive but the faith development progress of children. His research is developed along with the research of Kohlberg’s and Erik Erikson’s research in child development. The chart is seen previously.

Fowler’s stages of faith development would indicate the time of accountability would be in Stage 3-Synthetic-Conventional-the early teen years. However, Fowler’s development and other development specialists have done years of research and published many articles. However, the research cannot account the hand of God. There are other issues that take a role in the faith development of children. “The burden of faith formation clearly rests on the quality of parenting and the availability of a healthy religious environment for the nurturance of basic trust” (Ratcliff, pg. 103).

And that is my 2 cents worth.

CHILDREN’S VIEW OF GOD:

Since children have knowledge of God and are born into sin,  when do they develop that sense of right and wrong?   Children are still sinners because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We do not have to teach children to hurt others, to lie, or be disobedient to parents. As we teach them to do what is right, we are also teaching them sin. Children need to understand early on in life that actions have consequences. However, children are not subject to the ‘law’ or accountability in the spiritual sense.  Paul sums this up in Romans 7 beginning with verse 8, “And sin seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me.” This emphasizes the point children must understand they are doing wrong in order for them to understand they need a Savior.

There is a time when our faith is humble, willing, and alive. This time is before know better—as children. Our faith is not yet comprised by the cynicism we learn from the world, which is just another result of original sin. Jesus uses this example to show adults what their spiritual life and faith life should look like. “I assure you,” He (Jesus) said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Some children know right from wrong early in life, but do they understand this sin is against God?   Even though children are born into sin, they need to understand what sin is and that it goes against God. “Apparently teaching children what is right or wrong is not sufficient to guarantee that children will act on what they have been taught is moral” (Stonehouse. Pg. 94).

According to Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Reasoning chart as depicted in Table 1 listed below, moral development under the age of six is based on a fear of punishment and desire for rewards. Also, it is not until children are in the high school years; they base their decisions on what is best for the cause or social good and not until early adulthood moral decisions are based on the rights of other individual persons. This is the time when children begin to own their faith. Leaving their faith and/or moral development to chance until then will not ensure they will develop into morally conscious adults. “Because everything is ultimately a spiritual and moral issue, the more intentional and clear minded we are regarding their spiritual development, the better off they will be for the duration of their lives” (Barna, Pg. 32).  This development begins in Stage 0. They understand there is a consequence, good or bad to their actions. This moral development should be partnered with spiritual formation. “A growing love for Jesus causes them to want to please him and to be like him. This gives them a reason to be moral” (Stonehouse. Pg. 123).

Spiritual formation and instruction from the Bible about God and His love for us will help children to do what is right based on the love of Jesus and not because of a punishment of Hell. This can be unhealthy spiritually. However, living a life of love as indicated in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us,” (HCSB) instructs us to the ‘why’ as given in the original command Jesus mentions as the second greatest commandment-“The second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27 (HCSB).

*Stages 1 through 5 are adapted from Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral reasoning as described in Kohlberg (1975, 1978, 1981); Stage 0 is adapted from William Damon (1977) and Robert Selman (1980). TABLE 1

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