Grounded Ep 2: Sharing the Gospel

Join Mark and Charles on the "Grounded, a Train Up Parents Podcast" as they discuss the critical role of parents in communicating the gospel to their children. In this episode, the hosts, Mark and Charles, focus on how to communicate the gospel to children and on the importance of parents' roles. Charles Draper shared a story about how his two oldest daughters, Hadley and Evelyn, came to know the Lord about three years prior. One night while discussing the story of Samson during a nightly devotional, his middle child, Hadley, asked, "Dad, I want to make sure I'm going to heaven. How do I do that?" His oldest daughter, Evelyn, then said, "I want to make sure I'm going to heaven, too". They walked the girls through the plan of salvation, including the concepts of sin, Christ's death on the cross, the need for a savior, accepting Jesus as Lord, and surrendering their lives. The girls made a decision that night. Charles and his wife, Betsy, initially had doubts and questioned whether the girls were too young or whether they had forced the decision. He reminded himself, however, that "the spirit moved" and that parents shouldn't stop what the spirit is doing. They later made sure their daughters understood what the decision meant before they were baptized. Mark shared a similar experience with his oldest daughter, Ashley, who asked how a person is saved. He discusses the concept of "church language," such as "asking Jesus into your heart," and the importance of ensuring that a child truly understands what it means to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. He referenced Romans 10:8-9, stating that we must "confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord," which means making him master. He emphasized that Christ clearly proclaimed the gospel in Mark 1:15, saying, "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel". The speakers stressed that faith cannot be transferred from parent to child; children must make it their own decision. They discussed the importance of planting seeds from an early age, comparing the process to the "law of the harvest". Waiting for that seed to grow is an active process that involves cultivating the soil, keeping out "weeds," and continually engaging with children. They emphasized that parents should be diligent in sharing Christ with their families and prioritizing time with the Lord. Romans 10:17 states, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God," highlighting the necessity of sharing the gospel. They warned against allowing culture or technology, like the algorithm, to disciple children. The parent's role matters because God has prepared them to share the gospel with their children.