1 Peter 4
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was evening. Outside it was dark. Inside, a little lamp burned.
At the table sat a man. His name was Peter. Peter dipped his pen in the ink. He wrote on the paper, slowly, letter by letter.
Peter was writing to his friends. They lived far, far away. Peter loved them very much.
But his friends were sad. Peter knew why. Some people laughed at them. "You are strange," those people said. "You do not do what we do." And that hurt. That hurt a lot.
Peter knew about hurting. Peter knew Jesus. And people had laughed at Jesus too. They hurt Him. Jesus knew all about it.
So Peter wrote and wrote. Then he folded the paper up.
What Does This Mean?
Far away, someone came running. Through the street. Up to the door. Knock, knock, knock!
"A letter! A letter from Peter!"
Everybody came. Big people, little people. They sat close together on the floor. And someone read it out loud.
"Dear friends," said the letter. "Do not be surprised when it is hard. Jesus knows. God is with you."
Everyone was very quiet.
"And most of all," said the letter, "love each other. Really love each other. Very much."
The Common Thread
Then the letter said something else. Something to do.
"Open your door," Peter wrote. "Let each other come in. And do not grumble about it."
"Share what you have. Do you have bread? Share it. Can you sing? Then sing. Can you help? Then help. God gave you that."
The friends looked at each other. And they smiled.
Because now they knew. They were not alone in the dark. Jesus had gone the hard road first. And God was holding them tight, like a strong pair of hands underneath.
God made them. God would never let them go.
For You
The next day, the door opened wide.
"Come in! Come in!"
The house was full. The bread smelled warm and good. Cups clinked. Someone laughed out loud.
And nobody said, "Oh, do I have to?" Nobody grumbled. They shared their bread with happy hands.
Outside, people still laughed at them. But inside, it was warm.
That is the letter Peter wrote. And it is for you too.
You have a door. Can you open it for someone? You have hands. Can you help with them? You have a voice. Can you say something kind with it?
Maybe someone is sad today. Maybe someone is alone. You may go and sit next to them.
And if something is hard, you do not have to be scared. God made you. God holds you. God never lets go.
Talk About It
Who may come inside your door? Who would you like to share something with?
What can you do to make someone happy today?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank you for people who love me.
Help me to share.
Help me to open my door.
When something is hard, please hold me tight.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Peter 4
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Peter 4 about?
What does 1 Peter 4 say?
What does 1 Peter 4 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Peter 4?
Why is 1 Peter 4 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?" Peter writes this to people whose faith is costing them everything. Notice he doesn't say salvation is uncertain, he says it's hard. You are not carried around the fire. You are carried through it. And the next verse tells you what to do: keep entrusting your soul to a faithful Creator, and keep doing good.
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms." Notice you are a manager, not an owner. What you hold was handed to you for someone else's sake. And God's grace comes in many colors, so the shade you carry is one no one else can show them. Are you spending it, or storing it?
Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you." Notice he calls you beloved first, then names the fire. Much of your pain is the shock itself, the sense that something has gone wrong, that God lost track of you. Peter says no. You are on the road you thought you were on.
The Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." Rests. Not flinches, not withdraws when the mocking starts. The very moment you feel most exposed for belonging to Jesus is the moment God settles on you like glory filled the tabernacle. What feels like your lowest standing may be where heaven leans closest.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
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