1 Thessalonians 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Far, far away lived a man. His name was Paul. Paul had many friends. His friends lived in a city. That city was called Thessalonica. That is a difficult name. You may just call them the friends of Paul.
Paul missed his friends. He wanted to talk to them. But they lived too far away. So Paul took a piece of paper. And a pen. And he wrote them a letter.
"Dear friends," wrote Paul. "I think of you every day. And I pray for you. I say thank you to God, because you love Him so much."
The friends of Paul had a big secret. Well, not really a secret. But something wonderful. First they did not know God. They bowed down to statues of stone. But then Paul came. And Paul told them about Jesus. And they listened. And their hearts became warm inside.
They said, "We do not want stones anymore. We want the real, living God!" And from then on they loved Jesus. Very, very much.
What Does This Mean?
The friends of Paul were happy. Even when it was hard. Sometimes people were mean to them. But inside they kept singing. Because Jesus was with them. God gave them joy in their heart, deep deep down inside.
And do you know what was so nice? Other people saw it. They said, "Look! Those friends love God. We want that too!" So more and more people got to know Jesus. All because of those friends far away.
The Common Thread
Paul wrote something very important in his letter. Listen carefully. Jesus died. But God made Him alive again! Jesus is not in the grave. Jesus lives! He is with His Father in heaven.
And Jesus is coming back one day. Really. We do not know when. But He is coming. And then everything will be good. No more crying. No more fear. Only joy.
That is why the friends of Paul waited. Every day. With a smile. They knew: Jesus is coming.
For You
Do you know what is so lovely? You may also be a friend of Jesus. Just like the friends far away.
You can love God. You can talk to Him. You can sing for Him. And when you love Jesus, other people see it. Grandma sees it. Daddy sees it. Your little friend at daycare sees it.
Then they think, "Look, that child has something warm inside. I want that too."
You are little. But your love for Jesus is big. Very big.
Talk About It
How can you show that you love Jesus? Can you think of something?
The friends of Paul were happy, even when it was hard. What makes you happy?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You live. Thank You that You love me. I want to be Your friend. Make my heart warm inside. Then everyone can see: I love You.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Thessalonians 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Thessalonians 1 about?
What does 1 Thessalonians 1 say?
What does 1 Thessalonians 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Thessalonians 1?
Why is 1 Thessalonians 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Notice the address Paul gives them. Not just Thessalonica, that struggling port city where they were being hounded for their faith. "To the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." They lived in two places at once. So do you. Whatever street you wake up on tomorrow, that is not your deepest location.
Paul remembers three things about the Thessalonians: "your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope." Notice how each virtue produces something. Faith works. Love labors. Hope endures.
It is easy to say you believe, love, and hope. But Paul saw the sweat behind their words. What would he remember about you?
Paul reminds them, "our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance." He is not boasting about his preaching skills. He is pointing to something they felt, something that carried weight beyond eloquence.
Ask yourself honestly: when did the gospel last come to you like that? Not as familiar words, but as fire? Sometimes we settle for hearing without the assurance, information without the Spirit. He still wants to speak that way to you.
For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything."
Notice Paul didn't have to advertise these believers. Their faith traveled ahead of him. People were already talking. What would others say your life is broadcasting right now? Sometimes the loudest sermon is a changed heart that others can't stop mentioning.
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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