Imputation for Kids—and Grownups, Too
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 9:05AM 
From Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware:
Like a play that moves the story forward through its series of Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3, the salvation story of the Bible moves the plan of salvation forward through three acts.
In Act 1, Adam sins in the garden, eating the forbidden fruit, so that his sin is charged not only to him but also to all who have come from Adam (Romans 5:12-19) Just like if you used your dad’s credit card to buy something, charging the expense to him, so God charges us with the sin of Adam. In so doing, this brings to Adam and to us both the stain and bondage of sin in our inner lives and the guilts of sin before a holy God.
Act 2 involves God the Father taking all of that sin—both the sin we received from Adam and all of our own sin—and charging that sin to Christ. As we’ve thought about earlier, when Jesus died on the cross, he bore our sin and took the punishment that we deserved. Even though he was sinless and innocent of any wrongdoing, yet for our salvation, God the Father put our sin on his Son and satisfied his own just wrath against our sin through his Son’s death. As Paul states, “For our sake he [God the Father] made him [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin” 2 Corinthians 5:21a).
Act 3 is crucial to the story of salvation, and it involves God the Father now crediting us with the righteousness of his own Son when we put our faith solely in Christ. To credit means to add something positive that increases the value from what was true before. When you deposit money into a savings account, you credit the account by the amount of that deposit, making the account more valuable than it was previously. God does this with sinners who turn to Christ in faith. At the moment that they trust Christ alone for the forgiveness of all of their sins and the only hope they have of receiving eternal life, he credits them with the righteousness of his own Son. The remainder of 2 Corinthians 5:21 makes this point. The whole verse reads, “For our sake he [God the Father] made him [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
What do you think? At what age would a child be able to understand this explanation?
Reader Comments (7)
I think, given the use of analogies like a father's credit card and bank accounts, an 8 year old would be able to grasp it. When my kids were younger, like 5 or 6, they knew we used a credit card, but they did not really understand that one had to pay back the debt on it. They thought it was like "free money." But then again, kids seem so much "older" these days.
These are such good explanations, I think a new Christian of older years would really benefit from it.
I think that's about right. I'm going to review the book and I'm trying to judge the appropriate age and I'm thinking 9 or 10 and up.
I think the content would be perfect for a new Christian of any age....and perfect for a teen theology course. But the title kind of limits its use.
Hi Rebecca,
I've just started reading this book to my girls, 10 & 8, and I was thinking about what age I would recommend it for. I think 8-12 is about perfect but a younger child listening (6-7) would probably get a fair bit out of it. Any younger than that wouldn't understand it, I don't think.
Juanita
Thanks for posting this. We are using this with our two older children, 8 & 6. I'm always amazed at what the 6 year old grasps. I expect that he doesn't get it and then he answers some tough questions. My 8 year old is often in a world of her own :) and doesn't pay close enough attention. It really depends on the child. Also, we start pretty early to at least familiarize our children with terms, words, and ideas. Priming the pump for when the Spirit moves in them and they begin to really get it. Additionally, we use other texts (fox's book of martyrs & pilgrim's progress) to keep bringing out the doctrine/theology they are learning. My husband likes this book so much that he adapts it to use in his Boy's Brigade group and has given copies to the other leaders too.
Anyway - there's my 2 cents and experience. This is a great book!
I would love to be able to use this in our youth ministry. I'm continually amazed at how kids, who have been in Sunday school and church for years still need explanation made for them.
Thanks to everyone--for the original post and the comments. This is very timely. We are needing some supplemental material for church and this might just work for us.
Question: How long are the chapters?
The chapters are short—2 or 3 pages long.