1 Corinthians 16
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Paul was a man who loved Jesus very much. He walked to many towns. He told everyone about Jesus.
But Paul could not be everywhere at once. So he wrote a letter. A long letter, all the way to a town called Corinth. There lived people who also loved Jesus.
Paul held his pen. He wrote and wrote. And now, at the end, he had a few last things to say.
"Listen," wrote Paul. "Far away, in the town of Jerusalem, live friends of Jesus. They do not have much. No bread, no coins. Will you save something for them? Every Sunday, put a little bit aside. Then together it becomes a lot!"
Paul thought of his friends. There was Timothy. Timothy was a bit shy. "Be kind to him," wrote Paul. "Do not scare him."
There was Apollos. And there was Stephanas. Stephanas was always helping. Always busy for Jesus. Paul was so happy with him.
And then Paul wrote four little words. Small, but strong: "Stay awake. Stand firm. Be brave. Be strong."
And then one more: "Do everything with love."
What Does This Mean?
Paul says: watch out for one another. Give something if someone has nothing. Be kind to people who are shy. Say thank you to people who help.
And do it all with love. Love is like warm sunshine. It makes everything better.
The Common Thread
Why does Paul love people so much? Because Jesus loved him first.
Jesus is like a big warm light. When you stand near Jesus, the light shines on you too. And then you shine a little bit on other people. On your mom. On your little brother. On the boy next door.
At the very end of his letter, Paul writes something beautiful: "Come, Lord Jesus!" Paul wants Jesus to come back. And one day He will. Then everyone who loves Jesus will be with Him. Forever.
For You
Do you know someone who is a little sad? Or a little shy? You could go and sit next to that person. You could give a hug. You could share your cookie.
That is love. Small hands can do that. Your hands.
And do you have a coin in your piggy bank? Maybe you can give one away sometime. For children who have nothing. That makes God happy.
Paul says: be brave. Be strong. You can be brave too. Even when you are small.
Talk About It
Who do you know who could use a hug or a kind word today?
What could you save or give away, to help someone else?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You love me. Help me to love other people too. Make me brave. Make me strong. And come soon, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Corinthians 16
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Corinthians 16 about?
What does 1 Corinthians 16 say?
What does 1 Corinthians 16 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Corinthians 16?
Why is 1 Corinthians 16 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Paul doesn't tell Timothy to toughen up. He tells the church, "see that he is with you without fear." A young man was walking into a congregation full of factions and strong opinions, and Paul puts the responsibility on them, not on him. Someone's courage this week may depend on how you receive them.
The house of Stephanas "have set themselves to serve the saints." No one appointed them. No committee voted. They simply looked at the needs around them and stepped in, and years later Paul still remembered their names. Ask yourself honestly: what am I waiting to be asked to do that I could just start doing?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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