Galatians 2
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Paul walked a long way. A very long way, to a big city. That city was called Jerusalem. Paul went with his friends. One friend was Barnabas. Another friend was Titus.
In Jerusalem lived Peter. And James. And John. They loved Jesus, just like Paul. Paul said to them: "Listen. I have good news. I tell everyone about Jesus. Not only the Jewish people. But also all the other people. From far, far away."
Peter smiled. James smiled. John smiled. They said: "That is good, Paul. Very good. God loves all people. Go and tell it. We will tell it here."
They shook hands. Big, strong hands. It was a happy day.
What Does This Mean?
But then, oh dear. Something sad happened. Peter came to visit Paul. They ate together. Bread. Fish. Everything on the table.
Peter ate with everyone. With Jewish people. With other people. All together at one table. That was so nice.
But then some other men came. And Peter got a little scared. He stood up. He walked away from the table. He did not want to eat with those other people anymore.
Paul saw it. Paul thought: "Oh Peter. That is not right." And Paul said it out loud. He said: "Peter, why are you doing this? Jesus loves everyone. Everyone may sit at the table."
Peter looked down. Paul was right.
The Common Thread
Do you know why Paul said that? Because Jesus. Jesus is for everyone. For big people and small people. For people close by and people far away. Jesus opens His arms wide, this wide, and says: "Come. Come to Me."
Jesus did something very special. He gave His life. For Paul. For Peter. For you. For every child. So nobody has to sit alone anymore. Everybody may come.
Paul said: "I live now, but really it is Jesus who lives in me. Jesus loves me so much. He gave Himself for me."
That is warm inside. Like a hug.
For You
Have you ever sat somewhere alone? On a bench. Or in the sandbox. And nobody came?
That is not nice. That feels cold.
Jesus does not want that. Jesus says: "Come and sit with Me. There is room. Always room."
And you know what? You can do it too. When you see a child alone, you can walk up. And say: "Come. Come play with me." Then you do it just like Jesus.
Talk About It
Who may come to Jesus? Only some people, or everyone?
Can you think of someone who is sometimes alone? What could you do?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus.
Thank you that You love everyone.
Thank you that I may come to You too.
Please help me to be kind.
Also to children who sit alone.
Amen.
Questions about Galatians 2
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Galatians 2 about?
What does Galatians 2 say?
What does Galatians 2 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Galatians 2?
Why is Galatians 2 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Paul calls them "false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." Notice the word "spy." Freedom in Christ is so real, so visible, that some people study it looking for cracks. Does your freedom look like something worth spying on? Or have you quietly traded it back for rules that feel safer?
Peter had been eating freely with Gentile believers. Then certain men came from James, and suddenly he pulled back, afraid of what they would think. Paul saw it and spoke up: "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?"
Notice what fear did to Peter. It did not make him deny Christ openly; it made him rearrange his table. And a rearranged table preaches a different gospel than his mouth ever would.
Who are you quietly stepping away from lately, hoping the right people notice?
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
