Hebrews 8
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Come, sit close. I will tell you something.
Long, long ago, God had a special house. It was a big tent. Beautiful, with gold and colored cloth. Inside that tent, men worked for God. They were called priests. They wore special clothes. They brought gifts to God for the people.
But that tent was not the real house of God. God's real house is much bigger. And much more beautiful. That house is in heaven. There, God lives. There sits Jesus. Yes, Jesus! He sits next to God, His Father. On a big, shining throne.
And do you know what Jesus does there? He is a Priest. The very best Priest. He takes care of us with God.
What Does This Mean?
Long ago, God made a promise to His people. A promise is when you say: I will do this. God said: I will be your God, and you will be My people.
But the people forgot God so often. They did not listen. So God said something new. Something wonderful. God said, "I will make a new promise. I will write it in your hearts. Then you will know Me. All of you. From the smallest child to the oldest grandpa."
Do you hear that? God writes His name in your heart. So you know Him. So you love Him.
The Common Thread
That new promise, do you know how it came? Through Jesus.
Jesus came to the earth. He was little, just like you once were. He grew up. He loved people. And He died on the cross. For all our wrong things. Then He rose again. And He went to His Father in heaven.
Now Jesus prays for you. Every day. Every night. When you sleep, Jesus prays. When you play, Jesus prays. He never forgets you. Never ever.
That is the new promise. Jesus with you, always.
For You
Feel your heart. Put your hand there. Do you feel it beating? Boom, boom, boom.
God knows your heart. God wants to live there. Not in a tent. Not in a big church building. But in you. In your little heart.
You do not have to do anything difficult for God. You do not have to wear special clothes. You do not have to know difficult words. You may just come. Just as you are. With your dirty knees and your sticky fingers.
Jesus says, "Come. I love you. I know your name."
Is that not wonderful?
Talk About It
Where does Jesus live now, do you think? And who does He think about there?
What is in your heart, when God writes His name there?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus,
You are in heaven. You think about me. Thank You.
Come into my heart. Write Your name there. Then I know You.
Amen.
Questions about Hebrews 8
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Hebrews 8 about?
What does Hebrews 8 say?
What does Hebrews 8 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Hebrews 8?
Why is Hebrews 8 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
All will know me, from their least to their greatest." The servant girl knows him as truly as the priest does. No one in this covenant lives on borrowed faith, handed down from a parent's prayers or a preacher's sermon. God promised to be known by you, personally. When did you last speak with him yourself, not just about him?
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second." Read on and you find where the fault lay: not in the law, but in us. We could not keep it. So God did not hand you a stricter list. He promised to write his law on your heart. Rules press from outside. Only love rewrites you from within.
A better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law." Notice the word promises. The old covenant told you what to do and left the doing to you. The new one has God writing on your heart and forgetting your sins. So ask yourself honestly which one you live under today. Many of us still labor to earn what Jesus already secured.
Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer." Every priest came with hands full. Jesus came with nothing but himself, and that was enough. So when you approach God empty handed, ashamed you have nothing worthy to bring, remember: your Priest already carried the offering in.
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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