Colossians 2
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen carefully. There was once a man. His name was Paul. Paul loved Jesus very much. And Paul loved the people in a town far away. That town was called Colossae.
Paul could not visit those people. So he wrote them a letter. A long letter, with beautiful words.
In his letter Paul said: "Stay close to Jesus. Like a little tree with deep roots in the ground. Then you will grow big and strong."
Paul was a little worried. Some people in Colossae said strange things. They said: "You have to do this. And you may not do that. Then God will love you more." But that was not true. Not at all.
Paul wrote: "Jesus is enough. Jesus is really, really enough."
What Does This Mean?
Sometimes people think God only loves you if you are very good. If you eat your bread nicely. If you never get angry. If you always share.
But listen. God does not love you because you are so good. God loves you because you are His child. Just the way you are.
Jesus already did everything. Everything that was needed. So you may just come to Him. With sticky hands. With a runny nose. With a bump on your knee. Jesus says: "Come here. You belong with Me."
The Common Thread
Paul wrote something very beautiful in his letter. Listen well.
He said: Jesus is like a big, strong tree. And you may be a little branch. On that tree. Then you get everything you need. Water. Sunshine. Food.
You do not have to do it all by yourself. You may just stay close to Jesus. Very close. Then you grow. All on your own. Like a little flower in the sun.
And you know what else Paul said? Jesus is the boss. Over everything. Over the sun. Over the moon. Over the wind. Over everything you can see and everything you cannot see. He is the very biggest.
For You
Look at your hands for a moment. Little hands. Sometimes clean, sometimes dirty. Sometimes they can do a lot, sometimes not yet.
That is okay. You do not have to do everything perfectly. You may just be little. Because Jesus is big.
When you wake up tomorrow, you can say: "Good morning, Jesus. I stay close to You today." And when you go to sleep, you can say: "Good night, Jesus. Thank You for staying close to me."
That is enough. Really.
Talk About It
What does it feel like when someone holds you tight and says: you belong with me?
Would you like to try saying good morning to Jesus tomorrow when you wake up?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus,
You are big. I am little. That is okay. I want to stay close to You. Like a little branch on a big tree. Thank You that You hold me tight.
Amen.
Questions about Colossians 2
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Colossians 2 about?
What does Colossians 2 say?
What does Colossians 2 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Colossians 2?
Why is Colossians 2 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving." Roots grow downward, in the dark, where nobody claps. And notice what Paul expects to overflow: not knowledge, but thanksgiving. If gratitude has dried up in you lately, perhaps the roots need water, not more information.
As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him." Think back to how you received him. Empty handed. Nothing to bargain with, only need. Yet somewhere along the road we start walking as though holding on to him is now our achievement. The same open hands that took him at the beginning are the hands that carry you today.
Paul doesn't just call these ideas mistaken. He says they rob you: "Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit." Something is carried off. So ask yourself what has quietly gone missing since you started listening to that voice. Your joy? Your assurance? Christ himself, crowded out by rules?
For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh." Paul is in chains, and he spends his strength wrestling in prayer for people he has never met. Someone may be carrying you like that right now. And someone whose face you will never see could be carried by you 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
Philippines
Nigeria
Zimbabwe
India
Zambia
South Africa
Malawi
Indonesia
Kenya
DR Congo
Ghana
Nepal
Cameroon
Mozambique
Benin
Liberia
Pakistan
