1 John 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Once there was a man. His name was John. John was already very old. He loved Jesus very much. And John wrote a letter. A letter for children of God. Yes, also for you!
In his letter John writes something wonderful. Listen carefully. Do you love Jesus? Then you are a child of God. Just think of that. A child of God!
And John writes more. God loves you. And God's children love each other too. Like brothers and sisters. That is how it works in God's big family.
Then John writes about believing. Believing means: I trust Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God. He came from heaven. He came for you and for me.
What Does This Mean?
John wants you to know something. Something very important. God gives a gift. A very big gift. Do you know what it is?
The gift is life. Real life. Life with God. Forever and ever. Also when you are very old. Also when you go to sleep at night. God stays with you. Always.
And that life is in Jesus. Only in Jesus. If you have Jesus, you have life. Isn't that wonderful?
The Common Thread
Long, long ago God made a promise. God said: I will send Someone. Someone who saves. Someone who loves. And God kept His promise. God sent Jesus.
Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was small first, just like you. Then Jesus grew up. Jesus healed sick people. Jesus told about God, His Father.
And Jesus went to the cross. That was very hard. But Jesus did it. For you. For me. For everyone.
And then, three days later, Jesus was alive again! The tomb was empty. Jesus won. Now Jesus lives forever. And He gives that life to you too.
For You
Do you sometimes feel small? Sometimes scared? Sometimes alone in your bed at night? Then remember this.
You are a child of God. God knows your name. God sees you. God hears you. When you are happy. When you are sad. Always.
You can talk to God. Just like to daddy or mommy. You do not have to use big words. God listens.
And you may love other people. Your brother. Your sister. The child next to you. Also the child no one plays with. That is what God's family does. We love each other.
Do you know what is nice? You do not have to do it all alone. God helps you. Every day. He is very close.
Talk About It
Do you know that you are a child of God? How does that feel?
Who can you love today, just like Jesus loves you?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that I may be Your child. You are so good. Please stay close to me. Also at night. Also when I am scared.
Help me to love. Just like You love me.
Amen.
Questions about 1 John 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 John 5 about?
What does 1 John 5 say?
What does 1 John 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 John 5?
Why is 1 John 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Notice where the life is kept. Not handed to you as a separate possession you could misplace, but held in Christ. So the question is never whether your grip is strong enough. It's whether you're in him. And he gave himself to make sure you are.
John didn't write so you would hope you have eternal life. He wrote "that you may know that you have eternal life." Knowing is not arrogance here, it's a gift he wanted you to hold. So ask yourself honestly: do you live like someone who knows, or like someone still auditioning for God's approval?
When you notice someone you love sinning, what is your first instinct? John points somewhere unexpected: "he shall ask, and God will give him life." Not discuss them. Not distance yourself. Ask for them. Your prayer becomes a channel of life into another person's soul. Who came to mind just now? Go pray for them.
You trust the doctor you met ten minutes ago. You swallow the pill because the label says so. You believe the map, the timetable, the stranger giving directions. "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater."
Strange how quickly we trust strangers, and how slowly we take God at his word about his own Son. What would today look like if you simply believed him?
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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