Helping Your Child Know Jesus: Making the Unseen Feel Familiar
Helping young children know Jesus is about making the unseen feel familiar. Unlike adults, children come to love and admire figures through stories, experiences, and play. While they may not yet fully understand faith’s depth, they can begin to recognize and cherish Jesus through what they hear, see, and experience. The key is making Jesus real to them—not just as a name in a book, but as a living, loving presence in their daily life. At this young age, children absorb everything around them. Though they may not yet grasp the fullness of faith, the seeds you plant now will take root over time.
For a small child, knowing Jesus is much like discovering a beloved character in a story—they learn to see, understand, and cherish Him through what they hear, see, and experience. While they may not physically see Him, faith becomes familiar through visualization, play, and daily moments of wonder.
Bringing Jesus to Life Through Storytelling
Children connect with characters they can see, hear about, and imagine. Since Jesus isn’t someone they can physically encounter, it’s important to make Him tangible through stories.
Use engaging storytelling techniques: Instead of simply reading Bible stories, bring them to life with voices, expressions, acting and interaction. Ask, “How do you think the little boy felt when Jesus gave him food?—John 6:1-14, ” or ‘‘If Jesus walked into the room where we are right now, how would you feel?’’
Incorporate play: Use Bible storybooks with vibrant illustrations, or let them act out scenes with dolls, figurines, or drawings.
Parables and real-life connections: When teaching parables, relate them to something they know. “Remember when you shared your toy? That’s like the Good Samaritan—helping someone who needed it!”—Luke 10:25-37.
Through repeated encounters, Jesus will become someone familiar and near.
Showing Jesus in Everyday Life
Young children may not understand why they “have to love Jesus,” but love is best taught through experience. Rather than explaining in abstract terms, let them see Jesus in their daily lives.
Point out Jesus' presence in nature and beauty: When you see a sunrise, a rainbow, or a field of flowers, say “Isn’t this beautiful? Jesus made this for us because He loves us.” When they hear birds singing, remind them, “Jesus takes care of even the little birds—how much more does He care for us?”
Use real moments to reinforce faith: If they’re feeling scared, pray aloud: “Jesus, please keep us safe and help us feel brave.” When they’re excited or happy, guide them to say, “Thank You, Jesus, for this fun day!” Over time, they will naturally begin to see Jesus as someone they can turn to in all moments.
Tie Jesus to love and warmth: When they’re in your arms, whisper, “Jesus’ love is forever—it never changes and is always with you.” When they feel comforted, tell them, “That’s what Jesus’ love feels like.”
Photo: Where Muses Dwell - Etsy
Encouraging a Personal Relationship Through Prayer
Rather than seeing prayer as a ritual, help them experience it as a conversation. Many children view prayer as formal, but Jesus welcomes simple, heartfelt words.
Teach them that prayer is just talking to Jesus: Let them say anything on their heart, even if it’s as simple as, “Hi Jesus, I had fun today!”
Make prayer interactive: When something good happens, encourage them to say, “Thank You, Jesus!” When they’re sad or upset, teach them to ask Jesus for help. Encourage them to say, ‘‘Jesus, please could You help me with this?’’ to remind them that He is always listening and cares about their troubles.
Prayer as part of daily rhythms: Keep bedtime prayers but also add spontaneous moments, like praying before meals, when someone is sick, or when they see something beautiful.
Over time, they will begin to understand that Jesus is not just someone we read about—He is someone who listens, cares, and is always near.
Using Relationships to Explain Jesus’ Love
Since children understand love best through relationships, use the people they already love to help them grasp Jesus’ love.
“Just like you love Mommy and Daddy, Jesus loves you.” Let them know that Jesus’ love is never-ending and always present.
Friendship with Jesus: If they have a favorite stuffed animal or toy they carry everywhere, tell them, “Jesus is like your best friend—He is always with you, even if you can’t see Him.”
Jesus as a protector: When tucking them in at night, remind them, “Jesus is watching over you while you sleep, just like Mommy and Daddy do.”
The more they see Jesus as a real, present figure in their life, the more their hearts will naturally be drawn toward Him.
Creating Moments of Awe and Wonder
One of the most powerful ways to nurture a child’s faith is to create experiences that fill them with awe—moments where they can feel God's presence.
Look at the stars together and whisper, “God made each of these just by speaking. And He knows each one by name” — Psalm 147:4
Let them experience silence and peace in nature. Take them to a quiet spot, listen to the wind in the trees, and tell them, “This is the sound of God’s world.”
Sing worship songs together. Even if they don’t fully understand the lyrics, the melodies and words will embed themselves in their heart over time.
These simple experiences will shape how they perceive God—powerful, yet near and deeply personal.
Showing That Loving Jesus Is About Loving Others
At their age, the best way for them to experience Jesus is through love in action. If they see Jesus as someone who inspires kindness and goodness, they will naturally grow to love Him.
Celebrate acts of kindness: When they share a toy or help someone, say, “That’s just like Jesus! He loved to help people.”
Encourage giving: Encourage them to bake for the neighbors or share a treat with a sibling, saying, “Jesus loves when we give to others.”
Model joy in faith: If faith feels like an obligation, children pick up on it. Instead of “We have to pray,” shift to “Let’s talk to Jesus together.” Show enthusiasm in Bible reading, worship, and prayers.
Through these experiences, they will begin to associate Jesus with love, joy, and goodness.
Allowing Room for Questions and Growth
It’s okay if they don’t understand everything yet—faith is a journey. Encourage them to ask questions, even if they seem simple or difficult to answer.
If they ask “Why do we love Jesus if we can’t see Him?” respond with, “We can’t see the wind either, but we can feel it. That’s like Jesus—He’s always here, even if we can’t see Him.”
If they wonder “Why do we pray?” tell them, “Because Jesus loves hearing from us, just like Mommy and Daddy love hearing about your day.”
Faith isn’t something we force children into—it’s something we cultivate through love, experience, and gentle guidance.
Final Thoughts
Your little ones are already on a beautiful path because you are giving them an awareness of God. Even if they don’t fully understand, their hearts are being shaped by the love, warmth, and truth you are surrounding them with.
Jesus Himself said, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14). Your role is simply to keep leading them toward that open invitation. Over time, as they grow, those seeds of faith will bloom into something deeply personal and real. And when that happens, their love for Jesus won’t be something they’re told to feel—it will be something they experience in their own heart.
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Helping children know Jesus is about making faith real through stories, play, and love. This guide offers simple, engaging ways to nurture a child’s understanding of Jesus, making His presence feel familiar in their daily life.