Teddy Bears and Testimonies: Helping Kids Share Their Faith

Teddy Bears and Testimonies: Helping Kids Share Their Faith

Every fall, 3rd to 5th graders attending GDQ International Christian School in Tirana, Albania walk into a unique chapel experience.

Along the edge of the stage sits a line of stuffed animals. The students, aged 8 to 11, will spend the next month practicing sharing their faith with the toy of their choosing.

“They get to practice on a teddy bear, which is like the sweetest, cutest, least judgmental audience they could ever practice on,” said GDQ Chaplain Peter Sargent.

Over the course of the month, the students will hear examples of how to share the gospel before practicing on their teddy bears and eventually on each other.

Each child is given a foldable card with keywords that serve as a visual aid for explaining the gospel message. Prompts are written in both English and Albanian. Peter provides an opportunity for the students to practice in both languages.

For many of these students, sharing the gospel message is a new or intimidating concept.

“Sometimes when it comes to sharing the gospel, either you don't know what to say or you're afraid that somebody is going to make fun of you or you're not going to get it quite right,” Peter said.

As the students learn to share in a low-pressure environment, they are challenged to share their faith with someone outside of the classroom, whether that’s a relative or a friend.

While some students have never shared their faith with another person, others haven’t ever actually asked Jesus to be their Savior. Students are given the opportunity to ask questions of their teachers and get saved if they want to.

“A lot of kids have gotten saved,” Peter said. “I'd say probably 15 or 20 in the last 5 years that I've been here. And there are always kids who come back and share testimonies.”

Peter was saved when he was 10 years old, so he understands how ready this age group is to receive and comprehend the message of Jesus.

"I think they're in that sweet spot of being able to fully understand the gospel but also being excited and vulnerable and open to that.”

At the end of the month, the children have gained a better understanding of who Jesus is and how to share Him with others. They have also gained a cuddly new stuffed animal; a tangible reminder of the good news they have to share.