2 John 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
There was once a man. His name was John. John was old, very old. He had known Jesus. He had walked with Jesus. And now John was writing a letter.
He dipped his pen in the ink. Scratch, scratch, went the pen on the paper. Who was the letter for? For a kind lady and her children. John loved them very much.
"Dear friends," wrote John. "I love you. And not just me. Everyone who knows the truth loves you."
What Does This Mean?
John wrote something important in his letter. He wrote: love each other. Just love each other. That is all.
The children of the kind lady already knew this. But John wanted to say it again. Because it is so important. Loving each other is what Jesus wants.
John also wrote: watch out. There are people who tell strange stories about Jesus. They say Jesus was not really here. But that is not true! Jesus really came. Jesus was really a person. Jesus really loves us.
So, John said, listen carefully. Listen to what is true.
The Common Thread
Do you know who taught John about love? Jesus did. When John was young, he walked with Jesus every day. He saw Jesus heal sick people. He saw Jesus hug little children. He heard Jesus say kind words.
And Jesus said to John: love each other. Just like I love you.
John never forgot that. Not when he was young. Not when he was old. His hair turned grey. His hands became wrinkly. But in his heart it still sang: Jesus loves us. And we love each other.
That is why John wrote his letter. So the kind lady and her children would keep loving. And so you would know it too.
For You
Do you know what is so nice? God loves you. Really, He does. And because God loves you, you can love too. You can love your mommy. You can love your daddy. You can love your brother or sister. Even when they are a little annoying.
Sometimes loving is easy. When someone gives you a cookie, that is easy. But sometimes loving is hard. When someone takes your toy, that is hard.
Then you may ask Jesus. Jesus, help me love. Jesus, You are good at that. Please help me too.
And Jesus hears you. Really. He hears every little voice.
Talk About It
Who do you love very much? Can you name them all?
What can you do today to be kind to someone in your house?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus,
Thank You that You love me. Thank You for my mommy and daddy. Thank You for everyone in our house. Help me to be kind. Help me to love, just like You.
Amen.
Questions about 2 John 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 2 John 1 about?
What does 2 John 1 say?
What does 2 John 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 2 John 1?
Why is 2 John 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth."
Notice he can't keep the love to himself. Whoever this woman was, strangers she'd never met already loved her, simply because they shared the truth. You are held that way too, by people whose faces you don't know yet.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don't confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh." Notice what the lie removes: the body. A spiritual Jesus who never got tired, never bled, never ate breakfast with friends. Comfortable, but he cannot reach you where you actually live. Your flesh is where he came.
This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."
Notice how John refuses to let love float free as a feeling. Love walks. It has feet. It moves in the direction God pointed from the very beginning.
So today, ask not whether you feel loving, but where your feet are going. The person who keeps showing up, keeps forgiving, keeps obeying quietly, that one is loving. Love is a road you walk, one small step after another.
Whoever transgresses and doesn't remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn't have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son."
John writes this to a small church tempted to welcome traveling teachers who denied that Jesus came in the flesh. It sounds harsh until you notice the tenderness underneath: John wants them to keep the Father and the Son, not lose them.
Notice he doesn't say "whoever knows the teaching" but whoever "remains" in it. Knowing is a moment. Remaining is a thousand small returns. What have you drifted from this week that you could quietly come back to today?
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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