1 John 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was evening. An old man sat by a little lamp. His name was John. His hair was white. His hands were wrinkly.
Around him sat people, listening. They were very quiet.
"I want to tell you something," said John. "Listen well."
The little lamp flickered. Outside it was dark.
"I have seen Jesus," said John. "With my own eyes. Really."
John held up his old hands.
"And I touched Him," he said. "With these hands. He was warm. He was alive."
Everybody leaned closer.
"I heard His voice," said John. "I walked next to Him. We ate bread together. I saw Him laugh."
John smiled. His eyes were shining.
"And now I tell it to you," he said. "So you can be glad too. So glad."
What Does This Mean?
Then John pointed to the little lamp.
"Look," he said. "Do you see the light?"
Everybody looked. The little flame was warm and yellow.
"God is like light," said John. "In God there is no dark. Not one tiny bit."
Outside, an owl called. It was so dark out there. You could not see your own feet.
"Sometimes we do things in the dark," said John. "Naughty things. We hide them. We say: I didn't do it. But we did."
John was quiet for a moment.
"That is not good," he said. "Hiding makes you sad inside."
The Common Thread
Then John's voice went soft and warm.
"But listen," he said. "Listen very well."
He held the little lamp up high. The light spread all over the room. It shone on every face.
"You may come into the light," said John. "You may say to God: I did it. I am sorry."
"And do you know what God does then?"
Everybody waited.
"God does not shout," said John. "God does not go away. God washes it away. All of it. Clean."
John rubbed his hands together, like washing.
"Jesus makes us clean," said John. "That is why Jesus came. I saw Him. I touched Him. He is the One who makes us clean."
"God always does this," said John. "Always. Every single time you come."
For You
And now the story is for you too.
Maybe you did something naughty today. Maybe you pushed. Maybe you took something. Maybe you said no when you meant yes.
You do not have to hide it. Not from Mummy. Not from Daddy. And not from God.
You may say it out loud. "God, I did it. I am sorry."
And God hears you. God is not far away. God is close, like warm light on your face.
Then you are clean again. All clean.
And you may be glad. Very glad.
Just like the old man John, sitting by his little lamp, telling everyone about Jesus.
Talk About It
Is it dark in your room at night? What helps you when you are scared of the dark?
Is there something you would like to tell God, something you did today?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You are light. In You there is no dark at all.
Thank You that I can tell You everything.
Sometimes I do naughty things. I am sorry.
Thank You that Jesus makes me clean.
Thank You that You are close.
Amen.
Questions about 1 John 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 John 1 about?
What does 1 John 1 say?
What does 1 John 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 John 1?
Why is 1 John 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us."
Notice John does not say he saw a teaching. He saw the life. Eternal life had a face, a voice, hands that could be touched. And he could not keep quiet about it. Can you?
John doesn't say "that you may know what we know." He says "that you also may have fellowship with us." What he saw and heard, he refuses to keep. And the circle he pulls you into isn't just a group of believers: "our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." Who told you? Who are you telling?
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth."
Notice John doesn't say we're mistaken. He says we lie. Fellowship with God isn't a feeling we conjure on Sunday while our Monday stays hidden in shadow. Where you actually walk tells the truth about who you actually walk with.
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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