Outside the Box: Using Art to Share the Gospel 

This post was written by Dr. Christen Stewart, Kids Ministry Director at Grace Mills River Church.

There is one shared experience from childhood that stretches across many generations: fridge art. From the beginning of time (it seems), children have brought home a coloring page from church, a popsicle project with undried glue from preschool, an A+ essay from school, or a leaf from the backyard. Parents, with immense love and glee, put it where? The fridge.

The fridge becomes an art gallery for years and years, rotating displays of art and accomplishments. Even if art doesn’t remain a hobby in a child’s life or they don’t become the next van Gogh, it still points to something greater. The Gospel. 

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God created. Everything that we see and all that we are is a part of his handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). God, the Artist, is on full display constantly. He is the ultimate Creator who gives us the ability to be creative. From the very beginning, creativity is woven within us. From that first scribble to the first family stick figure drawing to a high school art class to decorating a guest bedroom in adulthood, the itch to create always sticks with us. Not because we are all destined to be professional artists, but because our hearts desire to reflect our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

So what if art could be a tool to not only share the gospel but to teach children how to share the gospel? Here’s what art does:

It Allows Us to Think Outside the Box

As kids ministry leaders, volunteers, or parents/families, we are always seeking ways to help the children in our lives hide God’s Word in their heart or explore the gospel at a deeper level. Sometimes that means thinking outside the box – both relationally and practically. 

It Allows Us to Connect Relationally

If we are thinking of art as an avenue to share the gospel, then every piece of art tells a story and points back to a greater story. Art gives us a way to engage, encourage and connect, both at home and inside our church buildings. It allows us to connect on a simple way with parents and families by talking about an art project.

It Allows Us to Engage 

When a child is coloring, drawing, or creating, this is always a great time to engage. Engage in what they are doing. Color or create alongside them.

Ask questions like:

• “Can you tell me what you’re making?”
• “Who/what are the people/things in your drawing? What are they doing?”
• “Why did you choose those colors?” 
• “What do those colors mean/represent to you?”

Or if it’s a completed project they are showing you, ask how they made it, about their process, etc. 

It Allows Us to Encourage 

Art also provides an opportunity to encourage children. We all want to be encouraged and seen – even children.

• “You’re super talented!”
• “This is incredible!”
• “God has given you amazing gifts!”
• “Wow you worked really hard on that!” 

Encouragement reinforces your engagement, but also displays your care. 

It Allows Us To Connect to the Gospel

Art is a story that always connects to the gospel. While a child is creating or showing you a creation, take the last step of connecting it to the gospel. That can look like explaining that God is an artist too and He made us, identifying an element of their art that connects to a Bible story, sharing scripture that reminds you of their work, or using the Bible to encourage them if their work didn’t turn out as planned. The great news about sharing the gospel is that it always has a ripple effect. The rhythms you set as a kids ministry leader or parent or family member become what helps children build their foundation in Jesus Christ. Then, it’s what they rely on when they grow and begin to share their faith. Art shows children both relationally and practically that the gospel story is in all things.

Wondering how art can be an intentional piece of your kids ministry?

Along with the relational elements mentioned above, there are various ways this can work practically in our ministries to children. It could be in craft time during your kids ministry classes, as a special event or a summer event. So often as kids ministry leaders, we reach into our toolbox of trusted tools time and time again. Maybe because we’ve found a consistent tool that works or because we have just always used it and are comfortable with it. But sometimes we look into our toolbox and think, “What I need is not in here!” or “What’s in my toolbox isn’t working.” That’s when we have to think outside of our box! I believe art can be one of those missing tools.

Host an Art Camp Next Summer

Here’s an “outside of the box” idea that’s working for our church year after year. Each summer, our church does a week of art camp for 3rd – 8th graders. During this week, students create 4 different art projects and 1 collaborative camp-wide project using various art mediums. At the end of the week, they get to celebrate their hard work by having an art show in our church gallery. Our heart is for kids to see that God is the ultimate Creator who gives us the amazing gift of creativity and that everything we do points back to Him.

The storytelling of the gospel that I highlighted earlier is a huge element to our camp. Every morning at the start of camp, we do a devotion time where students get to hear about Jesus’ love for them and how art connects to the gospel. The interesting piece of this is that 75% of our campers do not attend our church, so this is both a way to serve our kids ministry students, but it is also an outreach to our community and a unique way to reach children who have never heard the gospel. 

If you want to put on an art camp at your church, here’s a free download with our basic framework. All of these elements can be reduced or modified to fit your church, your church size, a week long event, or a one-two day event! 

Make sure it all points back to Him!

When using art or another tool to share the gospel, the most important thing to remember is that it should all point back to Him! God, the Creator, the best Artist the world has ever known, Our potter, gives us all the opportunity to create. From fridge art to art camp – think outside the box and make Jesus known. 

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” – Isaiah 64:8

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