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 2:1–6
“My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He is the Righteous One. He defends us before God the Father.” (1 John 2:1, ICB)
- According to the Bible, what is the punishment for sin? (Death.)
- What does it mean to say Jesus “defends” us before God? (Jesus takes the punishment that we deserve.)
- Do we need to perfectly follow God’s rules to show we love Him? (No, we show we love God by trying. God shows He loves us by forgiving us when we don’t do it perfectly.)
- According to John, what does it mean if we don’t even try? (It means we don’t really love God — or even know Him. Knowing God means loving God.)
- When you think about what Jesus did for us so that we can live forever with God, how does it make you feel?
So What?
For toddlers: Hold a pillow in front of yourself. Help your child to do the same. Say, “Jesus defends us” three times together.
For grade schoolers: Help your child pick something to sacrifice for someone else’s sake. (Give up computer time to wash dishes, let a sibling pick a movie, give allowance to a homeless shelter.)
For you: Forgive a mistake or act of disobedience you child commits and suspend all punishment. In gentleness, explain that your ability to forgive comes from Jesus’ forgiveness of you.