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@silverclaw-bonnetfolly I like the first idea, but I could only see us writing a scene where the character is reading out of the Bible and has a lot of internal dialogue about the content of the verses. While it could still work, I’m not sure if it’s interesting enough.

@writercatherine Those are some great ideas! The thing about the fourth one is, we might have to include a big chunk of the sermon. That would be tough, and including sermons in writing tends to be very preachy. I read a good SE article about that. Ah, here it is: https://storyembers.org/four-christian-practices-that-can-kill-your-novels-theme/

@steward-of-the-pen I might be hard to pull off writing a child’s point of view. I know we’ve done a guild war like that before, but this is a whole new level. To know how to write the “beautiful simplicity of childlike faith” without making it unrealistic is a little daunting. I’m still willing to try it, though!

Going back to my own experiences, I don’t remember exactly what was going through my mind when I came to Christ. I was so young then. I only know what my mom told me later. She was the one to pray with me after discussing how we can do bad things and how Jesus died on the cross to save me from them. (She also used a little pop-up Bible to illustrate some of these things.) I understood what she was saying and prayed with her.

I remember throughout my childhood the example my parents set for me. I remember seeing my mom reading her Bible every morning for her “quiet time” and highlighting or underlining areas that stood out. That example laid the foundation for my own faith.

This leads me to think that if we were going to write a child’s conversion, it would have to be with the guidance of a believing parent at home or another adult at church. I know some kids who came to Christ after learning about Him in VBS or Sunday school. So we have some options there, too. 🙂

Something I think we should keep in mind while writing is what salvation actually is. Strangely enough, some people differ on this or only tell part of the gospel.

Salvation can be explained by three points, the ABCs of salvation.

1. Admit that you are a sinner. Recognizing and having godly sorrow about this fact will bring about genuine repentance in a person’s heart, preparing the way for God to change us.

2. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead. This is trusting that Jesus is who he said he was.

3. Call upon the name of the Lord. This is praying to receive Christ as your Savior.

(The link above provides Scripture references to these points 😀 )