Explaining the Sinner's Prayer to Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most beneficial lessons we can teach kids at church is how to pray the sinner’s prayer. As we help children understand this important concept, we are paving the way for them to begin a personal relationship with Jesus. Today, we will help you navigate the steps to teach the sinner’s prayer in this step-by-step guide. 

Our easy Step-by-Step Guide uses "the 5 Ws" - who, what, where, when, and why - to help kids see the reason to pray the sinner’s prayer. We also will be adding in ‘how’ so you can lead by example to show them how it’s done.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Sinner's Prayer for Kids

1. WHO is Jesus?
2. WHAT is sin?
3. WHERE can I go from here?
4. WHEN should I pray the prayer?
5. WHY is this prayer important?
6. HOW is it done?

Step One: WHO is Jesus?

We begin with Jesus because learning who He is helps us to recognize His love for us and our need to follow Him. 

Start by asking, “Do you know who Jesus is?”

 Then share: “Jesus is God’s son. He is fully God and fully man and came into the world to save us from sin and death. Jesus spent his life teaching, and healing, and then died on the cross for our sins. He loves us so much that He laid down His life for us. Then he rose from the dead defeating sin and death!”

Step Two: WHAT is Sin?

Next, we explore the problem of sin. 

Ask: Do you know what sin is? 

Explain: Sin is when we do something wrong. Things like lying, stealing, or speaking harshly to a sibling. Sin is bad and it separates us from God because God is good. The problem with sin is that this separation from God leads to death.

Step Three: WHERE do I go from Here?

Our next step is to reassure the kids that there is a solution to this sin problem. 

Ask: Do you know what the solution to this problem is? Where can you go from here?

Explain: Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we can ask forgiveness and we will receive it! We will no longer be separated from God, but instead have a personal relationship with Him! This is called accepting Jesus into our hearts. From then on, we can get to know God better by praying, reading our Bibles, and trusting Him as He is always with us. One day when we die, we will go to heaven instead of being punished for our sins. We will live forever with Jesus! The Bible says, ‘But God is faithful and fair. If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins. He will forgive every wrong thing we have done. He will make us pure’ (1 John 1:9).

Step Four: WHEN Should I Pray the Prayer?

After children understand their need for forgiveness encourage them to pray the sinner’s prayer. 

Ask: Do you know when you should pray the prayer to ask for forgiveness?

Explain: Whenever you are ready. As soon as you recognize your sin and need for a savior. That is when you should pray, ask for forgiveness, and ask Jesus to come into your heart to change you to be more like Him! I’m inviting you to pray that prayer with me today!

Step Five: WHY is this Prayer Important?

Reiterate what you have already explained so kids see just how important it is to pray this prayer and receive salvation in Jesus. 

Ask: Do you know why this prayer is so important?

Explain: When we ask Jesus to come into our hearts our lives change forever. He frees us from our sins, helps us to be filled with goodness and love, teaches us to have faith and trust in Him, and we are no longer stuck in sin and darkness. We will still make mistakes and sin sometimes, but God will help us walk away from sin and no longer want to do it. He will make us stronger day by day to resist temptations. Our lives will change here on Earth. Not only that, but it gives us hope for the future.  We will no longer be punished for our sins, but we will be forgiven and have eternal life!  Without Jesus, there is no hope. With Him, we have hope and a future!  The Bible says, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life (John 3:16).

Step Six: HOW is it Done?

Pray the sinner’s prayer as an example to the kids and invite them to pray it to receive forgiveness! Here is one example of how to pray the prayer from Billy Graham’s book The Heaven Answer Book:

Invite: You can pray this prayer in your heart to Jesus today and be forgiven for your sins. If you are ready, pray along with me.

Pray: Oh, God, I know I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins, and I want to turn from them. I trust Christ alone as my Savior, and I confess Him as my Lord. From this moment on, I want to serve Him and follow Him in the fellowship of His church. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

An Extra Step: Celebrate!

If any children decide to pray the sinner’s prayer, celebrate with them!  It’s encouraging to let them know that the angels in heaven are celebrating: “I tell you, it is the same in heaven. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin” (Luke 15:10).

Be sure to share the good news with the child’s parents and invite kids to talk to their parents about their decision to follow Jesus.  

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

There is nothing more important than deciding to follow Jesus. When we make a point to invite children into this decision process, we shine the light of Jesus on their hearts. As the Holy Spirit works to convict them of their sin, we can encourage them to take the brave steps to ask for forgiveness and be made clean. 

Next, we can give insight into what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  It’s to be born again into a new life. Leaving the old ways behind and stepping out in faith to trust and obey God. This brave new step is just the beginning of a lifelong journey for these new believers. We can continue to guide them along the way by sharing God’s word, and wise advice, and encouraging children to seek Jesus with all of their hearts!

We hope this easy step-by-step guide helps you to share the gospel with the children in your ministry. It’s not easy to talk about sin or for us to admit that we are sinners and need a savior. 

The good news is we have God’s truth on our side and as we plant the seeds for kids to see their need for Jesus, the Holy Spirit is at work in their hearts. Let's join Jesus in His great commission and share this hope that we have in Jesus with the children that we serve!