Article
by
Some may think teaching the gospel to a preschooler is difficult. How do you do it? What words do you use? Will they understand?
Preschoolers are at the prime age to start forming the foundation of their faith. They can grasp the gospel. They can understand that God is bigger than anything they may be afraid of. They can start to learn what it means to trust in God. So share the gospel with your preschooler and start the journey of pointing them toward lasting faith in Jesus.
When teaching the gospel to a preschooler, keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate it. Use simple language and explain words they may not fully understand.
Four Words That Explain the Gospel
One way to teach the gospel is by using four main words: God, Us, Jesus, and Trust.
God
God is a loving God who is all-powerful and great. He knows and sees everything and rules over everything. God created all people in His image, and we are special to Him.
Us
But we have sinned, and our sin separates us from God. What is sin? Sin is anything we think, say, or do that disobeys God.
Jesus
God loves us so much, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus. Jesus came to save us by dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus rose again three days later and is alive!
Trust
God gives salvation, rescuing us from our sin, to everyone who places their trust in Jesus as their Savior. What is trust? It means that we rely on what Jesus did.
Draw the Gospel in Four Pictures
Does your preschooler love to draw, color, and scribble? Use some simple illustrations to help you share the gospel.
Draw a heart
Share how God created everything and made it good.
Draw a zigzag
Share how Adam and Eve sinned, but God still had a plan. Share that sin is anything we think, say, or do that disobeys God.
Draw a cross
Teach your preschooler about how God promised to send a Savior, and His name is Jesus. Jesus came, died on the cross, and rose again three days later. Jesus defeated death and made a way for us to live with God forever when we believe in Him and ask forgiveness for our sins.
Draw a smiley face
Share that Jesus will come again one day and make all things new.
Let Them Watch You Follow Jesus
The best way to teach the gospel is to live it out each day. Be their role model. Let them see firsthand how a loving and caring adult can follow Jesus. Let your preschooler see you read your Bible.
Will there be interruptions? Spilled coffee? Extra scribble marks in your Bible? Probably. But that is the whole point. Let your preschooler have a front-row seat to seeing you seek God and study God’s Word. As you read your Bible, provide a storybook Bible for them to look at. Read a Bible story together during breakfast or dinner.
Memorize a Verse Together
Choose a memory verse and write it out for everyone to see. Have your preschooler help you come up with hand motions, then practice the verse each month. You’ll be surprised how fast they can memorize it, especially if they help you come up with the hand motions.
My 2-year-old loves to do this each month. She is adamant about having at least one jump in each month’s motions. I was expecting to practice and help her memorize the verse for the whole month. She’s usually able to memorize it within a week and then teaches her cousins and other family members the verse.
Memory Verses for Preschoolers
- When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. (Psalm 56:3)
- And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:13)
- We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16)
- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Pray Together and Wait Ten Seconds
Pray with your preschooler. Ask if they want to pray, then wait 10 seconds for them to answer. A preschooler’s processing time to answer a question is anywhere between three and 10 seconds. I silently count to 10, waiting for my 2-year-old to start praying or to see if she wants help praying. When I’m patient and take those few extra moments to wait, she starts to pray and talk to God.
Simple Prayers to Model
- “God, thank You for Your goodness. Help us to follow You. Amen.”
- “God, You are so great! Thank You for loving us and caring about us. Amen.”
- “God, help us to be kind and patient today. Help us to follow Your ways and not our own. We love You! Amen.”
Paint a Cross on the Window
Another fun summer activity is to paint a cross. Use washable paint with a squirt of dish soap. Put painter’s tape and outline a cross on a window or glass door. Then paint with your preschooler and talk about how much Jesus loves them.
Ask them what their favorite thing about Jesus is. Share about how God is bigger and greater than anything they are afraid of or worried about. Start to form their biblical worldview and help them understand they can always trust in Jesus. Once the paint dries, peel off the painter’s tape to see the cross.
Create the design with painters tape.
Paint inside the taped lines.
Remove the tape to reveal the design.
Talk About Jesus All Day Long
Preschoolers are at the age of wonder. They ask many questions, including “Why?” and “What’s that?” Use this to your advantage to share about Jesus as you go about your day.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
I love this reminder that we can share about Jesus with our children at any time of the day, while we’re combing their hair, wiping sticky hands, playing with cars on the floor, or during bath time. Play worship songs in the car or have worship time before bedtime. Talk about Jesus, His unfailing love and goodness.
Love God with everything you have and tell your kids daily about Him. Then you’ll start to form the foundation of your preschooler’s faith. Every conversation, every worship song, every verse memorized matters. Keep leading faithfully and making those little disciples.
