Most churches stress the importance of passing the gospel on to future generations. We often refer to the family as a primary mission field. To emphasize this reality, we point to passages such as Deuteronomy 6:6-7a, which says, “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children.”

As a negative example of what can happen if we fail in this mission, we point to passages such as Judges 2:10, which warns, “That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.”

While many people claim total agreement with the importance of this focus, there is one issue that seems all too prevalent. Many parents miss out on the joy and the blessing of actually leading their children to faith in Jesus.

All too often, parents entrust that privilege to their pastor. While the pastor is always more than willing to talk to their children, the parents are passing up one of the greatest privileges — and most special moments — that anyone could have.

Many parents miss out on the joy and the blessing of actually leading their children to faith in Jesus.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many churches to stop having activities on their campuses. But within our church, we saw God use this time to provide two families in our congregation with the perfect opportunity to experience the blessing of leading their children to make a commitment to Christ.

I received a message from both sets of parents telling me that their children had received Jesus as their Savior. And this happened while we were away during the stay-at-home order.

Then, during the invitation at the end of our first public worship service once we began gathering again, these two young people, ages 8 and 9 , came forward to make a public profession of faith in Jesus.

The church played a part in this because both of these children are extremely active in Sunday School, Awana, children’s choir and the other children’s ministry opportunities that we provide.

But when the pivotal moment came, the parents were ready. They didn’t rely on a virtual meeting, a phone call or a text message. They provided the necessary leadership to help their children make this life-changing decision. That is a moment that neither they, nor their children, will ever forget.