The seventeenth-century English pastor Walter Marshall brilliantly pointed out that the good news is a double force in a believer’s life. The good news that we’re forgiven, adopted, and forever loved by God creates thankfulness and hope of life with Jesus. This draws us to him in love—like the tide pulls a ship. The good news that we’re in Christ and given the Spirit means that we can rely on God’s power in us. This is the power to flee from sin—like the wind propels that same ship.3 Tide and wind. Attraction and power. Pull and push. The good news is the double force believing kids need.

Klumpenhower, Jack. Show Them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids. New Growth Press, 2014.