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Altar Calls
and
Invitations
Acts 16:31 “Believe on the
Lord Jesus, and you will
be saved—you and your
household.”
Acts 26:29 Paul replied,
“short time or long—I pray to
God that not only you, but all
who are listening to me today
may become what I am…
The Altar Call
 In many evangelical traditions, the “altar call,” is
a primary method used to bring people of all
ages to Jesus.
 The altar call can be an effective form of
invitation with boys if the leader will follow some
simple guidelines.
PURPOSE?
• ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
• EXPERIENCE GOD’S
POWER
• ELLICIT A RESPONSE
Response Time
 Every service, class, or club should end with a
time of response
 Salvation is one of many subjects dealt with in
response time
 Employ “Action Points”
REMEMBER,
IT’S ABOUT THE
BOYS!
Let the little children come…
Jesus admonishes us to“let,” little
children come to Him.
He doesn’t say, drag, coerce, force,
frighten, and push.
The altar call is a kind invitation to
repent of sin and trust the Savior.
It is a kind introduction to meet a
good friend.
DON’T…
•Confuse children
with various themes
•Talk about asking
Jesus into your
heart
•Present God as a
cruel judge
•Use big words or
spout abstract
spiritual concepts
DON’T…
•Tell frightening
stories to gain a
response
•Push for response
out your own need
to succeed
•Be afraid to explain the
plan of salvation in
simple, understandable
language
•Do anything that might
offend a little one or
cause him to sin
DO…
• Repeat the
theme
throughout your
service
• Pray about the
established
theme
• Relax, let God do
the work
• Pray for this part
of the service
DO…
• Speak with God’s
authority
• Speak in a soft
loving manner
• Use kid-friendly
language and
concepts
• Be flexible with prayer
options
• Encourage those not
praying to worship and be
respectful
DO…
• Keep it simple
saint
• Repeat
instructions as
needed
• Compliment those not
praying for showing
respect to God and
their praying friends
• Be calm, friendly,
loving…
Why an Invitation?
 Children are lost.
 Opens the door for the work of the
Holy Spirit.
 How will they come if not invited?
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
• Use Scripture.
• Pray that Holy Spirit will bring the
increase.
• Give the invitation after a clear salvation
lesson/message has been presented.
• Make the invitation clear.
YOU CAN…
• Keep it brief.
• Make it personal.
• Be sensitive.
• Force nothing.
WHERE IS THE ALTAR?
•
•
•
•
Where two or more are gathered
Reserved spot
Stretches throughout the camp
Anywhere a boy can pray
STEPS
•
•
•
•
Briefly review the need for salvation
Review how to be saved
Use Scripture
Encourage children to think about
Jesus
STEPS
• Encourage children to respond physically to
show that something spiritual is happening.
• Separate those responding from the rest of the
children.
• Pray with them in a group and then turn them
over to individual altar workers.
WHAT
SHOULD YOU
SAY?
WHEN PRAYING…
•
•
•
•
•
ASK THE BOY WHAT HE WANTS GOD TO DO
PRAY ABOUT THAT
FORCE NOTHING
GOOD TOUCH ONLY
KEEP IT SIMPLE/KEEP IT SHORT
NEVER SAY….
•
•
•
•
Ask Jesus into you heart
Just let go
Just hang on
Sin is black
NEVER SAY…
•
•
•
•
If you’ve done this before, do not come
down
Give your heart to Jesus
Let the blood of Jesus wash you
Pray now or you will go to hell
Final Thoughts
 Pray about this.
 The invitation or altar call is an
important part of child evangelism.
 Never get pushy with children.
 Listen to the responsive child.
Final Thoughts
Listen to God.
Trust God and let him produce
results.
CONTACTING DICK GRUBER
dickgruber.com
[email protected]