Explaining Faith To Children: A Simple Guide For Parents

Faith is a complex concept to explain to children, especially when it is abstract and deeply personal. It can be challenging for children to grasp the idea of having faith in something they cannot see, hear or touch. However, there are several ways to introduce the topic in a way that is accessible and engaging for young minds. Encouraging children to ask questions and explore their doubts is a great starting point, as faith and doubt often go hand in hand. Parents and caregivers can also provide tangible examples, such as sitting in a chair for the first time, to illustrate the concept of trust and belief. Object lessons, like blindfolding a child and asking them to follow verbal instructions, can effectively demonstrate what it means to have faith and listen to God's guidance. Additionally, teaching children to recognise the Spirit and understand that God knows best can help them develop their own spiritual connection. Ultimately, each person's journey of faith is unique, and by creating a safe space for exploration and discussion, caregivers can support children in forming their own beliefs and relationship with faith.

Faith is believing without seeing

Faith is a tricky concept to explain to children, but it is possible to break it down in a way that they can understand.

Firstly, it is important to explain that faith is believing in something or someone even though we can't see, hear or touch them. For example, we can explain to children that they have faith in their parents or caregivers, even when they are not with them, and that they trust that their parents will always be there for them and love them, even though they can't see them at that moment. This is similar to faith in God. We can explain that faith in God means believing that He is there, even though we can't see Him, and that He will always love and care for us.

We can also explain that faith means putting our confidence and hope in God. We can trust that He will help and guide us, even though we can't see where He is taking us. This is a bit like a game of blindfold, where the child is blindfolded and has to follow the instructions of the teacher to reach a certain point without being able to see. The child has to trust that the teacher will guide them safely and not let them bump into anything. In the same way, we can explain that faith in God means listening to Him and trusting that He will lead us in the right way.

Another way to explain faith is to talk about it in terms of truth. We can tell children that faith is acting like God is telling the truth. For example, if God says to love our enemies, we can have faith and act on that belief, even if we don't feel like it or agree with it. We can explain that faith is about following God's viewpoint, even if our emotions or experiences are telling us something different.

Finally, we can explain that faith is like a gift or a seed that can grow over time. We can water and nurture our faith by reading the Bible, praying, and following God's teachings. Just like a seed grows into a strong plant, our faith can grow stronger and help us through difficult times.

By using these examples and explanations, we can help children understand the concept of faith and its importance in our lives.

Faith is a gift

For example, when you sit in a chair, you are showing faith that the chair will hold you. You don't know for sure if the chair will hold you until you sit on it. Faith is like that—it is believing in something even if we cannot see it. It is having confidence in what we hope for.

The Bible says that faith is a gift from God and that it is what saves us. It is through faith that we are able to please God. We can grow our faith by praying and reading the Bible.

Faith is also about obeying and acting on what God says, even if we don't feel like it or agree with it. It is about trusting that God knows what is best for us and acting on that belief.

We can help children understand faith by encouraging them to ask questions and seek answers through studying the scriptures and other reputable sources. We can also teach them to pray and talk to God about anything. Additionally, we can help them recognize the Spirit of God and understand that God knows what is best for them.

Faith is anchored in truth

For example, in the Bible, Jesus told Simon the fisherman to let down his nets in deep water, even though Simon and his companions had worked hard all night and hadn't caught anything. Simon responded by saying, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5, NIV). As a result, the fishermen made the biggest catch of their lives. This illustrates the principle of faith in action: acting on what God says, regardless of our opinions, experiences, or education.

Faith is also about trusting that God will take care of us and lead us where we should go, even when we cannot see or understand His plan. It is like sitting in a chair for the first time, showing faith that the chair will hold you. It is about having confidence that God will hear and answer our prayers, even if we cannot see or touch Him.

Faith is a decision that everyone makes, whether it is faith in God or another "unproven" alternative about the afterlife. It is a gift from God, and it can grow and strengthen over time. Teaching children about faith involves encouraging questions, prayer, and helping them recognize the Spirit of God and His wisdom. It is important to explain that faith is not just about believing in God's existence but also about trusting and obeying Him, even when we cannot see Him.

Faith is a decision everyone makes

Faith is a complex concept for children to understand, and it can be challenging to explain it in a way that is accessible and engaging. Here are some ideas to help you explain the concept of faith to children, focusing on the idea that "Faith is a decision everyone makes".

Faith is a Choice

Explain to children that faith is a decision that everyone makes, whether they realise it or not. Even if someone does not believe in God, they still have faith in something else, such as science or their own reasoning. Emphasise that having faith means choosing to believe in something even when we cannot see, hear, or touch it. This can be a challenging concept, so it's important to provide age-appropriate examples and analogies.

Faith is Personal

Help children understand that faith is a personal decision. Everyone has different beliefs and levels of faith. Some people have a strong faith that comes easily, while others may struggle with doubt and questions. Assure children that it's okay to have doubts and that faith can grow and change over time. Encourage them to ask questions and explore their beliefs.

Faith is Trust

Explain that faith involves putting our trust in something or someone. When we have faith in God, it means we trust that He will take care of us, even when we can't see the future or understand why things happen. You can use examples from the Bible, such as when Jesus told Simon the fisherman to let down his nets in deep water, even though Simon had not caught any fish all night. Simon had faith and obeyed, resulting in the biggest catch of his life.

Faith is Action-Oriented

Faith is not just a passive belief; it leads to action. Explain that when we have faith in God, it means we are willing to follow His teachings and commandments, even when it's difficult. Emphasise that faith is not just about what we believe but also about how we live our lives. Give examples of how faith can lead to actions, such as loving our enemies or helping those in need.

Faith is a Source of Strength

Help children understand that faith can be a source of strength and comfort during difficult times. When we have faith, we can pray and trust that God is with us, even when we don't understand why things are happening. Share personal experiences or stories of how faith has helped you or others through challenging times.

Faith is protective

Children need to understand the importance of spiritual protection in their daily lives and that faith is the foundation of this protection. They need to know that faith can help them to overcome their fears and worries. Just like a shield protects a knight from harm, faith protects us from spiritual harm and helps us to trust in God's plan.

You can explain this to children by using the example of a blindfold game. Bring a child to the front of the room and blindfold them. Spin them around a few times so they are disoriented and then give them instructions to walk across the room, navigating around obstacles. The child must trust and have faith that you will guide them safely.

Another way to explain the protective nature of faith is to talk about how it helps us when we can't see God. We can't see, touch, or hear God, but we can have faith that He is there and that He will protect and guide us. This is like knowing that a friend or family member loves us, even if we can't see them at that moment.

Faith is also protective because it helps us to make good choices. When we have faith, we can act on what God says, even if it goes against our own opinions or experiences. We can trust that God knows what is best for us and will guide us towards good decisions.

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