Trinity Object Lessons

This summer, I taught 2nd-4th graders at Bible camp. The children asked lots of questions, some of which I’d never thought about before. “Did Adam and Eve ever get married?” “So did animals talk way back then before the fall like the serpent did?” “Will we celebrate birthdays in heaven?” Having the option to respond with “I don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us” was helpful. As I continued to unfold little scraps of paper with scribbled questions, I noticed a pattern emerging. Many children were confused about the Trinity. Should I tell them that adults don’t understand the Trinity either, or that we won’t fully grasp how God can be three in one until we get to heaven? Though both statements are true, and possibly useful in responding to questions about the Trinity, I decided that young children needed some concrete demonstrations as well. Here’s how I addressed two of their questions.

How can one God be the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

• Go to the camp kitchen (or your own) and gather a clear cup, a cup of water, some sugar, powered drink mix, and a spoon or stir stick.
• Tell the kids that you’re going to make a drink from three ingredients. Hold up the sugar and ask, “Is this the drink?” Hold up the water and the sugar and ask, “Is this the drink?” Hold up the sugar and drink mix and state, “Then this must be the drink.” Let the children respond and then invite them to explain how to make the drink. After you make the drink, hold it up and say, “It takes all three ingredients to make one drink.”
• Next discuss how each ingredient contributes to the drink. The sugar makes the drink sweet, the powdered mix adds flavor and color, and the water turns the powder into liquid that is drinkable. Say, “Each ingredient has a unique role or part that is important. All three act together to make one drink.”
• Explain how God is one God, but with three distinct persons – Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All are holy, all powerful, eternal, all-knowing, wise, etc.
• List some of the distinct roles of each. God the Father lives in heaven. Jesus came to earth to show us what God is like. He was 100% man and 100% God. Jesus died for our sins and restored our relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is a forever friend who lives in our heart. He always tells us the truth, teaches us how to follow God, convicts us of sin, and gives us the power to obey God.

How could God send his Son to die on the cross when Jesus is God?

• On three nametags or cards, print “God,” “Jesus,” and “Holy Spirit.” Think of how you will demonstrate heaven and earth. At camp, I used the stage as heaven and the floor as earth. You could also use a riser for heaven. Even easier – have children sit in chairs (earth) and others stand behind them (heaven). Select three children to come to the front of the group. Give each one a nametag or card to hold.
• Show the group where “heaven” is and where “earth” is. Introduce each member of “the Trinity” by saying, “This is God the Father, Jesus – God’s Son, and God the Holy Spirit. From the beginning, they have lived in heaven.” Have the three children step up on the stage or riser or stand behind the three chairs.
• Then say, “All three have always existed. They worked together to create the heavens and the earth.” Continue by saying, “Jesus came to earth as a baby.” Have “Jesus” step down to the floor or sit down in a chair.
• Then say, “Jesus grew up and when he was about 30 years old, he died on the cross for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead, and after 40 days went back to heaven. Jesus promised that he would not leave us alone. God sent the Holy Spirit to earth. He lives in the hearts of those people who trust in Jesus.”
• Have “Jesus” step back up on the stage or riser or stand behind the chairs. Have the “Holy Spirit” step down or sit in one of the chairs.

Bonus Fingerplay

Three in one, one in three,

Our God is a Trin-i-ty (clap on each syllable of Trinity).

God the Father, God the Son,

Holy Spirit, three in one.

Three in one, one in three,

Our God is a Trin-i-ty (clap on each syllable of Trinity).