Sarah Mitchell
Teaching children about Jesus can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers, but it is also one of the most important and rewarding things they will ever do. The Gospel is a powerful tool for introducing children to Jesus, and its beauty is that it is simple and accessible to children. Parents can also teach their children about Jesus by incorporating Him into everyday moments and leading by example. This includes praying together, reading the Bible, listening to worship music, and engaging in acts of compassion and generosity. Scripture records few instances of Jesus interacting with children, but in each one, He treats them with kindness and love, welcoming them into His presence and blessing them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to introduce Jesus to children | Introduce something tangible, like a crucifix, rather than just telling the story. |
| How Jesus interacted with children | Jesus treated children with kindness and love, welcoming them into His presence and blessing them individually. |
| How to explain Jesus to children | Teach children about Jesus by incorporating Him into everyday moments and leading by example. |
| How to teach children about Jesus | Read the Bible and pray together. Listen to worship music and teach Christian values such as empathy, peace, compassion, and generosity. |
| How Jesus values children | Jesus wants us to possess a childlike faith, which is pure, unassuming, and humble. |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus valued children and treated them with kindness and love
Jesus welcomed children into his presence and blessed them individually. In Mark 10, when the disciples rebuked those bringing children to Jesus, he was indignant and said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them.
Jesus often presented children as an example of the type of faith adults should strive for. He told his disciples, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). He also said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2–4). According to Jesus, the qualities of children that are worthy of emulation are humility and simple acceptance.
Jesus wants each of us to possess a childlike faith—a pure, unassuming, and humble faith that allows us to receive God's gift of salvation without pretension or hypocrisy. Parents and caregivers can introduce children to Jesus by infusing him into everyday moments and leading by example. Children can learn about Jesus by observing their caregivers' behaviour and imitating their actions, such as praying or reading the Bible. Caregivers can also teach children about Christian values such as empathy, peace, compassion, and generosity by providing opportunities to practice them in everyday life.
Additionally, caregivers can guide children towards a deeper understanding of God by allowing them to share their ideas about God and relating them to simple truths. Caregivers can also be transparent about their own spiritual journey and involve children in it, showing that following Jesus is a lifelong journey of progress rather than perfection.
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Jesus blessed children and welcomed them into his presence
Jesus showed great affection for children on numerous occasions. He received praise from children when he entered Jerusalem, with the children saying "Hosanna" to him. However, he was not sentimental about children. In Matthew 11:16-18, he told a story about how obstinate and recalcitrant children could be when they played their games. Jesus understood that children were sinful and that sin manifested in their early activities. Nonetheless, he welcomed them and would have blessed them on any occasion.
John Calvin, a theologian, described Jesus' actions towards children as follows: "Those little children have not yet any understanding to desire His blessing, but when they are presented to Him, He gently and kindly receives them and dedicates them to the Father by a solemn act of blessing." Calvin further emphasized that excluding children from the grace of redemption would be cruel, and that Jesus' response to those who tried to keep the children away from him was one of anger.
The Gospels, including Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, provide excellent starting points for parents or caregivers who wish to introduce their children to Jesus and teach them about his teachings and the Christian values of empathy, peace, compassion, and generosity. Spending time with Jesus through prayer and Bible reading can help children grow closer to him, and incorporating worship music into daily routines can further deepen their understanding of who Jesus is. Additionally, teaching children how to pray and making prayer a part of their daily routines, such as during school drop-off or bedtime, can help them develop a stronger relationship with Jesus.
Jesus himself taught that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like little children. Children are a gift from the Lord, and they are a reward from him. They are born with a divine purpose, and God has already written their destinies before they are even born. God sees children, values them, and protects them with divine care. His compassion towards children in the Gospels reminds us that they hold a special place in His heart and are not second-class citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Jesus healed children, curing diseases and casting out demons
Introducing children to Jesus can be an intimidating task for parents and caregivers. However, the Gospel is simple, and there are several talking points and tips to help explain Jesus to children with ease. For instance, parents can teach their kids how to pray by praying together at specific times during the day, such as during school drop-off or as part of their bedtime routine. They can also teach their children the importance of reading the Bible by doing so together daily, starting with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Listening to worship music together and choosing from kid-friendly worship songs by artists such as Yancy, Gateway Kids Worship, and Rend Co. Kids can also help in this regard.
Additionally, parents can infuse Jesus into everyday moments to show their kids that a relationship with Him is real. Children can learn about Jesus by observing their parents' behavior and following their example. Even in less-than-perfect moments, parents have the opportunity to teach their children about Jesus by being real and asking Him to step in. This way, children learn that they can turn to Jesus when life throws its frustrations their way.
The Bible mentions several instances of Jesus healing children, curing their diseases, and casting out demons. In one instance, Jesus healed a boy with an unclean spirit (Matthew 17:14–19; Mark 9:14–28; Luke 9:37–42). The boy's father knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and is suffering terribly." As the boy was approaching Jesus, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. However, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and returned him to his father.
In another example, Jesus healed a man with a demon that made him blind and mute (Matthew 12:22-24). People brought this man to Jesus, and he healed him. Matthew uses the word "therapy" or "cure" to describe this healing. Demon possession has also been linked to other afflictions such as epilepsy, blindness, and the inability to speak, as seen in Acts 8:6-7, where Philip casts out demons and heals people in Samaria.
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Jesus raised a child from the dead
Introducing children to Jesus can be an intimidating task for parents and caregivers. However, the Gospel is simple, and there are many talking points and resources to help explain Jesus to children. One of the best ways for kids to learn about Jesus is by watching their parents or caregivers. Children can also be taught to pray and read the Bible.
The Bible mentions several instances of people being raised from the dead by Jesus. One such instance is the raising of the son of the widow of Nain (or Naim), recorded in the Gospel of Luke chapter 7. Jesus arrived at the village of Nain during the burial ceremony of the widow's son and raised the young man from the dead. This is one of three miracles in the canonical gospels in which Jesus raises the dead, the other two being the raising of Jairus' daughter and of Lazarus.
The account in Luke describes how Jesus, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd, arrived at the gate of Nain and encountered a funeral procession. The young man who had died was the only son of his mother, a widow, and a large crowd from the town accompanied her. Jesus' heart was filled with pity for her, and he said, "Do not weep". He then walked over and touched the coffin, and the pallbearers stood still. Jesus said to the dead man, "Young man, I say to thee, arise!" The young man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
The raising of the widow's son at Nain is seen as a miracle by Jesus and is a testament to his power and compassion. It also serves as a precursor to Jesus' assurance to the imprisoned John the Baptist that he is "the one who is to come". This miracle also has parallels with the Old Testament prophet Elijah, who raised the son of the widow of Zarephath, and with Elisha, who raised the son of the woman of Shunem.
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Jesus wants us to have childlike faith
Children are inherently closer to God, possessing a certain proximity to the Creator that is often dimmed as we grow older. They embody humility, simplicity, and honesty, reflecting the values Jesus wants us to emulate. Their artlessness and innocence make them receptive to God's word, trusting in His promises without question.
As parents or caregivers, introducing children to Jesus is a significant responsibility. It involves infusing Jesus into everyday moments and leading by example. Children learn about Jesus by observing their caregivers' actions and faith in challenging times. Teaching them to pray, reading the Bible together, and listening to worship music are all ways to nurture their relationship with Jesus.
Additionally, caregivers can encourage children to embody Christian values, such as empathy, peace, compassion, and generosity. By helping those in need, children learn to follow Jesus' teachings and develop a deeper connection with Him.
Jesus wants us to approach our faith with the same trust, sincerity, and openness that children exhibit. By doing so, we can cultivate a childlike faith that draws us closer to God and prepares us for His kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
Teaching children about Jesus can be done in a number of ways. You can pray with them, read the Bible with them, and teach them about Christian values such as empathy, peace, compassion, and generosity. You can also lead by example, showing them what it means to follow Jesus in your everyday life.
You don't need a degree in child psychology to talk about faith with your kids. You can start by introducing them to the story of Jesus with the help of tactile items, like a crucifix. You can also use media such as kid-friendly worship music, Bible story audio, and even their favourite TV shows to help explain concepts about Jesus.
Scripture records few instances of Jesus interacting with children, but in each one, He treated them with kindness and love. One of the most well-known accounts is found in Mark 10, where Jesus welcomes children into His presence and blesses them individually. Jesus often presented children as an example of the type of faith adults should have.
Jesus wants each of us to possess a childlike faith—a pure, unassuming, and humble faith. Children can remind us of the importance of simple faith and depending on our Heavenly Father. They can also teach us about Jesus through their curiosity, kindness, and courage.
