How to Explain Jesus to a Child
Today we will talk about how to explain Jesus to a child. Understanding who Jesus is can seem overwhelming, but when we break it down in simple terms, it becomes so much easier. Children have beautiful, innocent minds that can grasp the fundamentals of faith with the right guidance. As we seek to convey the essence of Jesus, we must remember to speak in a language they understand—filled with love, simplicity, and patience. The goal is to spark their curiosity and help them feel the warmth of God’s love through stories, examples, and, most importantly, the Bible. Enjoy this journey as we explore ways to make Jesus relatable and accessible to little hearts and minds.
Understanding Jesus as a Person
When teaching children about Jesus, it’s essential to start by explaining who He is. Jesus is not just a historical figure; He is God’s Son who came to show us how to love and live. Historically, Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago; His life was documented by followers and has had an immense influence on the world. In Hebrew, the name Jesus means “Yahweh is salvation,” which indicates His divine role in humanity’s redemption. In Greek, the name translates to “Iesous,” emphasizing His nature as our Savior. Children can grasp this by learning about His life and the love He shares.
Start with John 3:16, where it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse helps to establish the foundation of Jesus as a gift from God, making it relatable and understandable for children. This shows us how much God values each person, laying a foundation of love that children can comprehend. By talking about Jesus in personal and relatable terms, children can begin to see Him not just as a historical character but as someone who loves them dearly.
Sharing stories about Jesus is a fantastic way to illustrate His character. For instance, telling the parables—like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)—shows Jesus’ compassion and kindness. Children can learn how important it is to treat everyone with love, no matter who they are. These stories serve as practical examples that help children visualize Jesus’ teachings and understand His heart.
Jesus as Our Friend
Kids naturally relate to friendships, so describing Jesus as a friend can help them understand Him better. Jesus loves each one of us like the best friend we could ever ask for—someone who cares about our feelings, listens to us, and supports us through tough times. John 15:15 tells us, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” This can be understood as Jesus wanting a personal relationship with us, which is why He shares everything that God has shared with Him.
To connect this back to children, ask them about their best friends. Discuss qualities they appreciate in their friends. Then explain that Jesus has those same amazing qualities! He’s always there to listen, He comforts us when we feel sad, and He celebrates with us when we are happy. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are weary: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This can explain to children that they can share their struggles with Jesus just like they would with a close friend.
Jesus’ Love Demonstrated through His Actions
One of the best ways to teach kids about Jesus is through His actions. Sharing how Jesus interacted with others offers real-life applications of His teachings. Take the stories of Jesus healing the sick (Matthew 4:24) or feeding the hungry (Mark 6:30-44). These illustrate His compassion and mercy, characteristics that children can aspire to emulate as they grow.
Bring the story of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) to life. It portrays Jesus as the shepherd who cares so deeply about every single person that He would leave the rest to find the one lost sheep. Explain that everyone is important to Jesus, and He cares about us as individuals. Kids can learn that Jesus doesn’t just love people in a general way; He loves every one of us specifically and personally.
In bringing life to these stories, encourage children to see how they can show love and kindness to their friends. For instance, after discussing the story of the Good Samaritan, create a fun activity where they can think of ways to help others—such as sharing toys, hugging a friend who feels sad, or helping a sibling. Making the stories practical reinforces the value of Jesus’ love in their everyday lives.
The Sacrificial Love of Jesus
This topic can be a bit heavier but is incredibly significant. It’s essential to gently introduce the idea that Jesus came to save us through sacrifice. This means that He chose to take our place and bears the consequences of our mistakes out of pure love. The crucifixion could seem sad, but the outcome is a beautiful message of hope and redemption.
Children can understand the concept of sacrifice through simple, relatable terms. Explain that sometimes they may need to share their favorite toy or give up some game time so a friend can enjoy, reflecting the spirit of selflessness. This can lead to an introduction of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Help them comprehend that Jesus suffered not just for others, but also for them and that this teaches us about the meaningfulness of putting others first.
To help them process this, create discussions after reading John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Ask them what it means to love someone so much that you would go out of your way to help them. This could lead to deeper reflections about their own lives and relationships.
The Resurrection: A Promise of Eternal Life
After discussing Jesus’ sacrifice, it’s essential to transition to the resurrection, which brings a joyful message of hope and new life. The resurrection is what sets Jesus apart; He rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion, demonstrating God’s power over death and sin. This aspect can be made exciting by explaining that Jesus is alive today, and that should make everyone happy because it means we have hope.
The resurrection story found in Matthew 28:5-6 can be shared in a way that emphasizes joy and excitement. Kids love stories with happy endings, and the resurrection story certainly fits that bill! Help them understand that because Jesus rose, we also have the hope of eternal life with Him. This is incredibly uplifting and can shift the conversation to discuss the beautiful things that await in Heaven when we trust in Jesus. John 11:25-26 reassures us: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’”
Encourage children to think about how exciting it is to have the promise of Heaven. Talk about what they understand about Heaven, what they hope it will be like, and how trusting Jesus means we all can be together with Him and each other one day.
Jesus and Our Daily Lives
Finally, it’s crucial to convey that accepting Jesus isn’t just about knowing who He is; it’s about inviting Him into our everyday lives. Kids should understand that they can talk to Jesus anytime through prayer, and He’s always listening. It’s also helpful to encourage them to read the Bible, which contains His teachings and examples of how to live daily.
Building prayer into a child’s routine can create a personal connection with Jesus. Explain that praying is just like talking to a good friend. Matthew 7:7 reminds us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Children can be encouraged to talk to Jesus about anything—school, family, friends, or even their fears. This builds rapport with Jesus that will grow over the years.
Additionally, engaging kids with age-appropriate Christian resources can enhance their understanding of Jesus in their day-to-day lives. Sharing stories, songs, and activities that highlight His love can inspire them and keep their faith strong. The more they see Jesus integrated into everyday experiences, the more they will understand His significance and want to maintain a relationship with Him.
Final Thoughts
In our discussion on how to explain Jesus to a child, we’ve explored aspects of His life, teachings, and love that children can understand and relate to. It’s important to speak in terms that resonate with them, using clear language and relatable examples. By presenting stories about Jesus’ actions, explaining His friendship, and sharing His sacrificial love and the joy of the resurrection, we can paint a picture of a compassionate, loving Savior.
Ultimately, the goal is to foster a relationship between children and Jesus that emphasizes trust, love, and hope. We should encourage them to invite Jesus into their daily lives through prayer and reflection, allowing His presence to guide them as they grow in faith. Let’s continue to be patient, supportive, and joyful in our effort to draw children closer to the heart of Jesus, knowing that their understanding will flourish as they learn and grow.
May our efforts to share the wonderful news of Christ lead to new generations that love and serve Him wholeheartedly!
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4