1 John 4
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Come, sit close. I will tell you something beautiful.
A long time ago there was a man. His name was John. John was old, very old. He had known Jesus. He had walked with Jesus, and heard His voice.
Now John was writing a letter. A letter for the children of God. That means: for people who love Jesus. Maybe for you too.
And do you know what John wrote? He wrote one word, again and again. Love. Love. Love.
"Dear people," wrote John. "Love each other. Because God is love."
God is love. Say it once. God is love.
What Does This Mean?
John wrote something very special. Listen carefully.
God loved us first. Long before we knew Him, God already loved us. He looked down from heaven. And He thought: I love those people so much.
And what did God do? He sent Jesus. His own Son. Jesus came from heaven, all the way down to the earth. For you. For me. For all of us.
That is love. Real love.
The Common Thread
You cannot see God. Nobody can. God lives in heaven.
But Jesus came. You could see Jesus. You could hear Him. You could touch Him. Jesus showed us what God is like.
And do you know what Jesus is like? Jesus is soft. Jesus is good. Jesus is warm, like the sun on your face. Jesus is love.
When you know Jesus, you know God. Because Jesus is God's own Son.
And now something wonderful. When you love Jesus, God comes to live inside you. Deep, deep inside. Like a light in your heart. A light that keeps burning.
For You
John wrote something else. Something very important.
Are you ever scared? Scared of the dark? Scared of a loud noise? Scared when Mommy or Daddy is not there?
Then listen. John says: love drives fear away. When you know that God loves you, then the fear becomes smaller. And smaller. And smaller.
Because God is with you. Always. In the morning, in the evening, and at night in your bed. God says: I love you. Do not be scared. I am here.
And now you may do something too. You may love. You may love your mommy and your daddy. Your brother, your sister. Your friend at school. Even the child no one wants to play with.
Because God loved you first. And now love flows through you, like water from a jug. Softly, softly, to the people around you.
Do you feel it? God is love. And you belong to Him.
Talk About It
Who do you love very much? And who loves you?
What can you do today to show love to someone else?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You love me.
Thank You for Jesus.
When I am scared, will You be close?
Help me to love others too.
Amen.
Questions about 1 John 4
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 John 4 about?
What does 1 John 4 say?
What does 1 John 4 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 John 4?
Why is 1 John 4 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God." John's test is not how moving a voice sounds, but whether it keeps Jesus in a body. Any spirituality that floats above skin and bone and ordinary days has drifted from Him. God came close enough to be touched. Does what you're listening to lead you there?
Notice that John's test is about listening. "He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us." Not just hearing once, but returning to that voice again and again. Think of whose words you go back to when you are tired or afraid. Those voices are quietly forming you. Which one are you feeding?
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world."
Notice John doesn't say you *will* overcome. He says you *have*. The victory is already settled, not because you are strong, but because the One living in you is greater than anything pressing against you today. Rest in that.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love."
Notice what fear is tied to here: punishment. If you still flinch when you come to God, expecting the blow to fall, love has not yet done its full work in you. Sit with that. He is not standing over you with a raised hand. He is drawing you close.
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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