How to Explain Jesus to a Child: Tips for Parents
Teaching children about significant figures in history or faith traditions can be an enriching part of their development. For those wanting to explain Jesus to a child, whether for educational purposes or to provide a broader understanding of cultural narratives, a balanced, secular approach is essential.
This guide provides insights into explaining Jesus to kids in a way that emphasizes historical, cultural, and moral significance while respecting diverse perspectives.
Why Explain Jesus to Kids?
Children often encounter stories of Jesus through school, media, or friends. Explaining who Jesus was in a neutral and accessible way can help them understand his role in history and his influence on art, literature, and moral philosophy.
“Introducing children to historical or faith-based figures in an impartial way allows them to explore ideas and form their understanding of the world.” – Dr. Lisa Miller, The Spiritual Child
Also see: The Power of Curiosity: Encouraging a Love of Learning and How Do You Explain God to a Child
Introducing Jesus: A Historical and Moral Perspective
Who Was Jesus?
Jesus is a central figure in Christianity, known for his teachings about love, compassion, and forgiveness. Explaining Jesus to a child can begin with the basics:
- Historical Context: Jesus was a teacher and leader who lived over 2,000 years ago in the Middle East.
- Moral Teachings: Jesus emphasized kindness, helping others, and treating everyone with respect.
Child-Friendly Tips for Explaining Jesus to a Child
- Use simple and age-appropriate language.
- Highlight universal values such as kindness and empathy.
- Place Jesus in a historical context to provide a broader understanding.
Stories to Help Explain Jesus to a Child
Children often connect best with stories. Many of the tales about Jesus focus on helping others and standing up for what is right.
Example Stories to Share:
The Good Samaritan is a parable told by Jesus, emphasizing compassion and kindness toward others, regardless of differences. In the story, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite, both respected religious figures, pass by but choose not to help. Finally, a Samaritan—a member of a group often despised by Jews—stops to aid the man. The Samaritan tends to the injured man’s wounds, transports him to an inn, and pays for his care.
The story highlights the importance of showing love and compassion to all people, transcending social, cultural, and religious boundaries. It challenges listeners to act as neighbors to those in need, demonstrating that kindness and empathy define moral behavior. The parable remains a timeless lesson on selfless care and breaking down prejudice to foster unity and understanding.
The Feeding of the 5,000 is a biblical story of compassion and abundance, showcasing Jesus’ care for people’s physical and spiritual needs. As a large crowd gathers to hear Jesus teach, they grow hungry, but only five loaves of bread and two fish are available. Despite the limited food, Jesus blesses it and instructs his disciples to distribute it among the crowd. Miraculously, the small amount of food multiplies, feeding all 5,000 people present, with twelve baskets of leftovers remaining.
This story illustrates themes of faith, generosity, and divine provision. It highlights the power of sharing, even when resources seem insufficient, and demonstrates that small acts, when guided by compassion, can lead to extraordinary outcomes. The Feeding of the 5,000 continues to inspire reflections on trust, gratitude, and the importance of helping others in times of need.
The Prodigal Son is a parable told by Jesus about forgiveness, redemption, and unconditional love. A young man demands his inheritance from his father and leaves home to live recklessly, squandering his wealth. When a famine strikes, he is left destitute and ashamed, forced to work as a swineherd. Realizing his mistakes, he decides to return home and beg for forgiveness, hoping to be accepted as a servant.
To his surprise, his father welcomes him back with open arms, celebrating his return with a feast. Meanwhile, the older brother, who had stayed and worked faithfully, feels resentful of the father’s joy for the wayward son. The father explains that his love for both sons is unwavering, but the return of the lost son is cause for celebration.
The parable teaches powerful lessons about compassion, humility, and the boundless nature of forgiveness and reconciliation.
“Stories are how children make sense of the world. Share narratives that focus on values rather than dogma.” – Dr. Alfie Kohn, Unconditional Parenting
Discussing Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection can be challenging to explain to young children. A sensitive and balanced approach is crucial.
Tips for Navigating the Topic
- Simplify the Message: Explain that Jesus’ story includes themes of sacrifice and hope.
- Use Analogies: For example, compare resurrection to the renewal seen in nature, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
- Focus on Emotions: Highlight the lessons of love, forgiveness, and renewal.
“When discussing difficult topics, focus on emotions and values rather than graphic details. This helps children understand without fear.” – Dr. Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers
Using Resources to Explain Jesus to a Child
Books and stories designed for children can make complex ideas more relatable. Secular or interfaith resources are particularly valuable for teaching without promoting specific beliefs.
Recommended Resources
- “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones: Focuses on universal themes of love and compassion.
- “What Is God?” by Etan Boritzer: Explores concepts of spirituality from a neutral perspective.
- “Who Was Jesus?” by Ellen Morgan: A straightforward look at Jesus’ historical and cultural impact.
“Books and visual aids are excellent tools to help children engage with abstract ideas in a concrete way.” – Mary Pipher, The Shelter of Each Other
Object Lessons to Explain Jesus to Children
Hands-on activities can help children connect with abstract ideas about Jesus and his teachings.
Example Object Lessons
- The Salt and Light Lesson: Use salt and a flashlight to show how kindness and love can make the world a better place.
- The Forgiveness Balloon: Write “forgiveness” on a balloon, and let it go to symbolize letting go of anger or hurt.
- The Puzzle Piece Lesson: Show how each of us plays a role in making the world whole and connected.
Sensitivity and Inclusivity in Discussions
When discussing religious or spiritual topics, it’s important to consider the diverse backgrounds of children.
“Encourage children to ask questions and explore ideas. A curious, open mind is one of the greatest gifts we can nurture in our kids.” – Dr. Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Be mindful of different beliefs and emphasize that exploring these stories is about understanding and learning rather than promoting a specific faith.
Conclusion
Explaining Jesus to a child can be a meaningful experience that fosters understanding of history, culture, and moral values. By emphasizing universal lessons of kindness and empathy, parents can provide a balanced and thoughtful introduction to one of the most influential figures in history.
With sensitivity and mindfulness, these conversations can encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.
FAQs
Parent’s FAQs
Why should I explain Jesus to my child if we’re not religious?
Understanding Jesus’ life and teachings helps children grasp important cultural and historical contexts. It also introduces universal values like kindness and forgiveness.
How can I ensure I remain neutral when explaining Jesus?
Focus on the historical and moral aspects of Jesus’ life. Avoid doctrinal statements and encourage curiosity and questions.
What if my child asks if we believe in Jesus?
Be honest and explain your perspective while respecting other beliefs. For example, “Some people believe in Jesus as a spiritual figure, while others see him as a historical teacher.”
Kid’s FAQs
Who was Jesus?
Jesus was a teacher and leader who lived a long time ago. He taught people about love, kindness, and helping others.
Why do some people say Jesus came back to life?
Many people believe that after Jesus died, he came back to life to show that love and hope are stronger than anything else.
Do I have to believe in Jesus?
It’s okay to learn about Jesus and decide what you think. Everyone has different ideas, and asking questions is a great way to learn.
More Resources
- “Teaching Kids About Religion Without Preaching”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-secular-life/teaching-kids-about-religion - “Who Was Jesus? | National Geographic Kids”
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/jesus - “How to Talk to Kids About Religion”
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/08/03/540897738/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-religion
Yasu’s articles often explore the intersection of mindfulness and cultural influences on parenting.
