Explaining Jesus to a preschooler

[Jennifer132]

So I am a Protestant hoping to join the Church at Easter. We have five children, a baby, two four year olds and two older ones, 10 and 11. All of them have been heavily exposed to Protestant teaching. The older two are old enough that when we told them that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist, they could understand what we meant and we could share the scripture passages about it with them.

The younger two girls, although they have sat with us in many Protestant church services have a very small notion of who Jesus is. They know he is God and they recognize a crucifix and also recognize pictures of baby Jesus. They know that we pray to him and to the Father. So far we have usually sent them to the nursery during the Mass, but last week one of them was a little sick so we kept her with us. She wanted to know what everyone was doing when they lined up for communion, and I told her that they were receiving Jesus. But I’m just wondering, have you found that your children are confused when they know Jesus is a person, but you are pointing out that the Eucharist (which appears to be bread) is Jesus? What are some good words to make this known to the littler children?

 

[johnnyc176]

So I am a Protestant hoping to join the Church at Easter. We have five children, a baby, two four year olds and two older ones, 10 and 11. All of them have been heavily exposed to Protestant teaching. The older two are old enough that when we told them that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist, they could understand what we meant and we could share the scripture passages about it with them.

The younger two girls, although they have sat with us in many Protestant church services have a very small notion of who Jesus is. They know he is God and they recognize a crucifix and also recognize pictures of baby Jesus. They know that we pray to him and to the Father. So far we have usually sent them to the nursery during the Mass, but last week one of them was a little sick so we kept her with us. She wanted to know what everyone was doing when they lined up for communion, and I told her that they were receiving Jesus. But I’m just wondering, have you found that your children are confused when they know Jesus is a person, but you are pointing out that the Eucharist (which appears to be bread) is Jesus? What are some good words to make this known to the littler children?

How bout a lesson from Pope Benedict XVI…

josemariaescriva.info/article/meeting-of-the-holy-father-with-children-who-had-received-their-first-communion-during-the-year

No, we cannot see him, but there are many things that we do not see but they exist and are essential. For example: we do not see our reason, yet we have reason. We do not see our intelligence and we have it. In a word: we do not see our soul and yet it exists and we see its effects, because we can speak, think and make decisions, etc. Nor do we see an electric current, for example, yet we see that it exists; we see this microphone, that it is working, and we see lights. Therefore, we do not see the very deepest things, those that really sustain life and the world, but we can see and feel their effects. This is also true for electricity; we do not see the electric current but we see the light.

So it is with the Risen Lord: we do not see him with our eyes but we see that wherever Jesus is, people change, they improve. A greater capacity for peace, for reconciliation, etc., is created. Therefore, we do not see the Lord himself but we see the effects of the Lord: so we can understand that Jesus is present. And as I said, it is precisely the invisible things that are the most profound, the most important. So let us go to meet this invisible but powerful Lord who helps us to live well.

 

[Giggly_Giraffe]

I take my children to adoration weekly. They have always told me about Jesus rather then me tell them. They have wonderful insight from Him. It started with “Jesus likes carrots” … “Jesus got bad boo-boo’s” … “Jesus has the keys to get us to heaven” … They told a visitor, “Don’t worry, Jesus is always with you and He will never leave you” (to which the person cried).

I’m hesitant to tell them when they seem to have a thriving relations with Him.

We do read children’s books that are in the adoration chapel. My oldest was obsessed with a story about Elisha & his servant. My youngest is obsessed with “Easter bunny’s amazing day”. Currently, they connect with the JC through play dough and crayons.

 

[GLam8833]

Jesus Himself said:“Let the children come
to me, do not hinder them, b/c of such is
the Kingdom of God” Matt. 19:14 Children
coming to Jesus are curious and want to
ask questions of Jesus, so PRAY that
you will accurately present Christ to them,
then they will know enough to have a
Relationship w/ Him!!

 

[mommy_k]

You can get the young child’s edition of the Baltimore catechism and read it to them. It is a picture book, and it explains everything in children’s terms. You can get the first communion edition for the older kids too. They sell them in catholic book stores for about 4.00, or puchase online. This is the St Joseph editions.

christianbook.com/the-new-saint-joseph-baltimore-catechism/bennet-kelly/9780899422428/pd/422448?event=CBCER1

 

[PraiseChrist]

So I am a Protestant hoping to join the Church at Easter. We have five children, a baby, two four year olds and two older ones, 10 and 11. All of them have been heavily exposed to Protestant teaching. The older two are old enough that when we told them that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist, they could understand what we meant and we could share the scripture passages about it with them.

The younger two girls, although they have sat with us in many Protestant church services have a very small notion of who Jesus is. They know he is God and they recognize a crucifix and also recognize pictures of baby Jesus. They know that we pray to him and to the Father. So far we have usually sent them to the nursery during the Mass, but last week one of them was a little sick so we kept her with us. She wanted to know what everyone was doing when they lined up for communion, and I told her that they were receiving Jesus. But I’m just wondering, have you found that your children are confused when they know Jesus is a person, but you are pointing out that the Eucharist (which appears to be bread) is Jesus? What are some good words to make this known to the littler children?

I remember when I was in catechism and I didnt get it until a while later.

Here’s some simple terms, that is sufficient. A priest asked a kid how he knew Jesus was present, and the kid said, God said it (This is my body), I believe it, that settles it.

I really need to strive for such faith. You can read John 6 (bread of life discourses) about the Eucharist

God bless you and your daughter