The Barna Group in 2004 did a survey of 922 Christians. The question they got asked was what age were they when they got "saved." Here is the results of the survey:
43% saved before the age of 13
16% saved between the ages of 14-17
18% saved between the ages of 18-21
23% saved from the age of 22 and beyond
With this information we can develop a trend with the ages of when a person receives Jesus in their heart. To make the assumption that children are more likely to accept Jesus then an adult would be correct. It is said that a person's moral foundations are developed by the time they reach the age of 9. After this development takes place the harder it is to get someone to change their beliefs. So what does one do with this information? The church needs to look at the numbers and make some changes. The changes need to be made in the focus and energy at reaching the younger generation, kids and students. The earlier a church can develop these groups of people the less likely they will walk away from the church by the time they reach adulthood. The problem is that most churches are focused not on these age groups but reaching adults. Reaching adults does make sense because that is the second highest percentage, but that includes such a wide range of ages. So what should the church do? The church needs to start ministering to this generation. There is a flow chart that needs to be followed:
The church needs to reach first the younger generation. In turn they will bring in their parents and then the church must minister to the parents. Lastly the parents will minister to their children. Reaching or ministering to adults is not wrong. A parent must first have a relationship with God before they can teach their children. Ministering to adults is important, but not as important as today's churches are focusing on.
Bible verse that support this claim:
Duet. 6
Psalm 78
Ephesians 6
Mt. 19:14
