James 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. I will tell you a story from the Bible. A man called James wrote it. He wrote a letter to people who loved Jesus.
James wrote: "Are you sad? Then talk to God. Are you happy? Then sing for God!"
That is nice, right? God likes it when you talk to Him.
James also wrote about people who were sick. Very sick. In bed. Then he said something special. He said: "If you are sick, ask the church leaders to come. They will pray for you. And they will put a little oil on your head."
Oil? Yes, oil. It felt soft on your skin. And it smelled good. It was a sign. A sign that said: God is here. God sees you.
What Does This Mean?
Do you know what James wanted to say? He wanted to say: God listens. God really listens. When you are sick. When you are sad. When you are happy. God is never too busy for you.
James told a story about a man from long ago. His name was Elijah. Elijah prayed to God. He said: "God, please, no more rain." And guess what? It did not rain. For a long, long time.
Then Elijah prayed again. "God, please, rain now." And drip, drip, drip. Splash! The rain came down.
Elijah was just a man. Just like you and me. But God heard him.
The Common Thread
Do you know who listens the very best? Jesus. Jesus loves it when children come to Him. He always has time. Always.
When Jesus was on earth, sick people came to Him. Jesus put His hand on them. And they got better. Jesus is strong. Jesus is kind.
And Jesus said: you may talk to My Father in heaven. Any time. God is your Father too, when you love Jesus.
For You
Are you ever sad? Maybe your knee hurts. Or you miss someone. Then you may talk to God. Just tell Him. God hears you.
Are you very happy? Did you have a fun day? Then you may sing for God. Or dance. Or say: "Thank You, God!"
You do not need fancy words. You do not need to close your eyes tight. God hears you when you whisper. God hears you when you shout. God hears you in your bed at night.
That is a treasure. A real treasure. God is always near.
Talk About It
What do you want to tell God today? Something happy or something sad?
Who do you know who is sick? Shall we pray for that person?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You listen.
When I am sad, You hear me.
When I am happy, You hear me.
Please help the people who are sick.
Make them better, if You want to.
Thank You for Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about James 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is James 5 about?
What does James 5 say?
What does James 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from James 5?
Why is James 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Let him call for the elders." Notice who makes the first move. The sick one, the weakest one in the room, has to open his mouth and ask. Sickness makes us hide, pretend, wave people off. God's remedy begins with being found out. Who have you not called yet, because you would rather suffer unseen?
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten." James writes it in the past tense, as though the rot has already happened. The clothes still hang in the closet, but moths are quietly at work. What are you saving that you will never wear, never use, never give away? Ask what it is costing you to keep it.
Notice James says "confess your offenses to one another." Not to a leader who stays clean while you kneel. Both of you speak. Both of you hear. That mutual honesty is where healing starts, because sin loses its grip when it stops being secret. Who knows the thing you have never said out loud?
Let your 'yes' be 'yes', and your 'no', 'no'." Notice where James places this: right after telling suffering people to be patient. Pressure makes us pile up words, promises, guarantees, because we're afraid a simple answer won't be believed. But if your word needs heaven as a witness, what does that say about your word?
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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