Phil Vischer, Founder of Jellyfish Labs and co-creator of the acclaimed VeggieTales, opens the Bible to a tiny book all the way at the back. With the help of some animated friends, Phil walks through the entire book of 1 John to answer the question, “What is a Christian?”
This pioneering series packs tons of good theology into short sessions that toddlers to adults will enjoy. Learn not only what the Bible says, but also why and what it means for us today.
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Use these questions to talk to your child about the message of 1 John. Then consider taking the so-what challenge to incorporate this session’s message into your own life alongside your child.
Read Again
1 John 1:5–10
“God is in the light. We should live in the light, too. If we live in the light, we share fellowship with each other. And when we live in the light, the blood of the death of Jesus, God’s Son, is making us clean from every sin.” (1 John 1:7, ICB)
- What does it mean to say God is “light”? (God is everything good.)
- What does it mean to live in “darkness”? (Living a life that is mean. Selfish. That hurts other people.)
- And living in the light means? (Living a life that is kind, loving and generous to other people.)
- Do we have to be perfectly good to be with God? (No. God accepts us just the way we are.)
- What does John mean when he talks about “The blood of Jesus”? (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.)
- What does that sacrifice do for us? (It makes us clean, so we can be with God!)
- Do you ever mess up? How does it make you feel to know God loves you even when you mess up?
So What?
For toddlers: Take your child into a dark room. Have him or her turn on the light (help reach it). Say: “God is light. We live in light.” Try it again until your child says it on his or her own.
For grade schoolers: Pick one thing with your child that he or she will do to “live in the light.” (Pick up without complaining, share a favorite toy with a sibling, thank a parent for making food.)
For you: Own a failure to your child—mismanaged temper, forgotten commitment, ignored request for attention. Ask for forgiveness. Explain that your love for your child doesn’t change even when you’ve made a mistake.