Philippians 2
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. Paul is going to write a letter. Paul loves Jesus very much. And Paul loves the people in a town called Philippi. But Paul cannot visit them. He is far away. So he takes a pen. And he writes.
"Be kind to each other," Paul writes. "Help each other. Do not always want to be first. Think of someone else too."
Then Paul tells about Jesus. And that is the most beautiful part of the letter.
What Does This Mean?
Listen carefully now. Jesus was with God, high up in heaven. It was beautiful there. Very beautiful. There was light. And singing. And no tears.
But Jesus did not stay there.
Jesus came down. All the way down to the earth. He became a little baby. In a manger. With straw. And later a big man who walked on dusty roads. His feet got tired. He got hungry. He got sad sometimes.
Jesus did not think, "I am the greatest." No. Jesus made himself small. Very small.
And then something even harder happened. Jesus went to the cross. That was very hard. Jesus did it anyway. For you. And for me.
The Common Thread
But listen. The story does not end there.
God said, "My Son Jesus, come up here." And God lifted Jesus up. Way, way up. Higher than the clouds. Higher than the stars.
And God gave Jesus a name. The very best name. A name so beautiful that one day everyone will bow their knee. Everyone in heaven. Everyone on the earth. And everyone will say, "Jesus is the Lord!"
That is the big story. Jesus went low. And God made Jesus high.
For You
Now Paul writes something to you too. Yes, to you.
"Do the same thing," says Paul. Not being the boss all the time. Not always shouting, "Mine, mine, mine!" But looking. Looking at your brother. Looking at your sister. Looking at the child next to you.
Does someone have no cookie? Then you share yours. Is someone crying? Then you go and sit next to him. Is a toy hard to reach? Then you help.
That is being like Jesus. Small and sweet and helpful.
And Paul says one more thing. "Do it without grumbling." So no big pout. No stomping feet. But happy. Because Jesus is with you. Always.
Talk About It
With whom can you share something today? A cookie, a toy, or a hug?
Jesus made himself small for you. How does that make you feel inside?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus.
You came down from heaven. All the way down to me. Thank you.
You are so big. And you loved me so much.
Help me to be sweet. To share. And to help.
I love you, Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about Philippians 2
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Philippians 2 about?
What does Philippians 2 say?
What does Philippians 2 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Philippians 2?
Why is Philippians 2 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Do all things without murmurings and disputes." It sounds small, almost petty, until you notice where Paul puts it: right after Jesus emptying himself, right after God working in you. The rescued people in the wilderness grumbled, and it cost them. What is the complaint you keep rehearsing today? Bring that one to him.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth." Every knee. No exceptions, no negotiations. But notice whose name it is: the one who knelt first, who emptied himself, who died a criminal's death for you. Bowing to him is not defeat. It is finally kneeling to the One who knelt lower still. Why wait until you must?
Paul writes this from a cell, waiting to hear whether he lives or dies: "as soon as I see how it will go with me." His future is a blank page, yet his thoughts are on getting Timothy to friends who need comfort. Uncertainty didn't shrink him inward. What would it look like if your unresolved thing made you more attentive to someone else, not less?
Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Every tongue. The one that gossiped this week. The one that stayed silent when it should have spoken. Yours. One day it will say the words, gladly or not. Why wait? Say it now, while saying it still costs you something.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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