Share the Gospel
Share the Gospel
| Article Index |
|---|
| Share the Gospel |
| Preparing to Share |
| Four Key Responsibilities |
| Home Delivery Guidelines |
| Other Approaches |
| All Pages |
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Sharing the Gospel with any child requires special care and sensitivity. As your church prepares for Christmas and for sharing the Gospel with the children of prisoners, it is very important to understand the following:
- The way that a child of a prisoner sees life, and in turn the way they may hear the Gospel presentation, can be very different than what one might expect from a child. The trauma they have experienced may have made it difficult for them to focus, find meaning, or show their feelings.
Volunteers should be honest, sincere, and positive A volunteer's genuine concern, unconditional love, and smile can begin to bring healing.
- The home may be a stressful environment for the child and the family. Court appearances, prison visits, financial strains, frequent relocations, and interpersonal tensions all test a family to the breaking point. If there has been drug or alcohol abuse, neglect, or physical abuse, stress at home is greatly increased.
Volunteers' individual and group prayer times prior to meeting witb children and their caregivers will strengthen, calm, and keep them relying upon God.
Most children with a father in prison live with their mothers. If mom is behind bars, they often live with a grandmother, other relatives, family friends, or in a foster home. When speaking about God, especially God the Father, a child's thoughts and feelings may span a wide range, including feelings associated with grief over a missing earthly father.
Volunteers can allow children to honestly express themselves while volunteers express positive truths about God. Children need to know that their Heavenly Fatber, God, is different than any human being and that He is altogether good.
- More than other children, a prisoner's child is apt to misbehave or feel anti-social as a result of a parent's imprisonment. Frequently, caregivers must move from place to place to find work or to avoid exclusion. The child may stop trying in school, may separate from friends and become a loner, or retreat from relationships that invite too much intimacy. A child may fear a God that wants to love them despite their actions and behaviors.
Volunteers should show respect for caregivers and children. Do not be discouraged. Remain positive.
Phases of Angel Tree
Phase 1: Preparation and Recruitment(September - November)
Phase 2: Gifting and Evangelism
(December - January)
Phase 3: Going beyond Christmas
(February - August)
How to Share the Gospel
-- Share the Gospel-- Preparing to Share
-- Four Key Responsibilities
-- Home Delivery Guidelines
-- Other Approaches
Delivery Tips
-- Pray before, during, and after deliveries.-- Call ahead to set up a delivery day and time.
-- Call again when you are in the neighborhood and just minutes away to let the family know you are coming, and to confirm directions. A car phone or cellular phone is helpful.
-- Always make deliveries during daylight hours.
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