Kids hear confusing terms and we must help them dig into the language of our faith. When we do, no matter how simple the explanation, it does three things:

Welcomes them into the Church
Demonstrates to them trust with important topics
Affirms their value in contributing to the conversation

Here you will find how I have defined concepts for my own children. Please comment on how you've engaged your littles in big conversations and feel free to add topics you'd like to see addressed.

Featured

Have you asked Jesus into your heart?

Often a confusing question posed to children, this phrase is powerful, biblical, and a fair ask. So as not to confuse simply ask, "Do you believe Jesus is your Savior?"

Covenant

Covenant is used in Christian circles today in two ways: God's relationship to His people and marriage.

Our covenant with God is called a patron covenant. A biblical example can be found between Abraham and God in Genesis. It's when someone superior, in this case God, binds themselves to an inferior party, Abraham, for the inferior party's benefit. "I will be your God and you will be my people." (Leviticus 26:12)

Testimony

A testimony is simply to tell a story of what God has done. This may include the moment one comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus as Lord and Savior or recalling a time God provided, helped, or showed up.

Mercy

"Mercy is not getting what you deserve." -Cathleen Falsani

Sin

Sin is anything you say, do, or think that is displeasing to God. If obedience is living out of love for God, disobedience is living out of love of self. To sin means to make a choice in a moment that disagrees or contradicts the life and attitude God shows us.

Redemption

Redemption is one of the most beautiful words to hear as a person of faith. It means there is hope!Redemption means there is hope in the midst of imperfection.

LORD

A local pastor puts it this way, if Jesus is LORD in your life it means He calls the shots. He is the architect of our life. He is our coach. He holds the plans and we execute. Your decisions are run through Him and through the filter of His Word before acting.

12 Truths about You

Rejection isn’t fun at any age and neither is feeling different than everyone else. I refuse to let other peoples’ opinions cloud the reality of who I am or Whose I am. These 12 Truths are written as reminders for my children (and yours) to equip them to remember where their identity lies.

God made you.

Communion

Where it started: Most believers in Jesus consider communion a sacrament, a practice that has been commanded by God that has a divine element to it.

Why it continues: The apostles then teach followers of Jesus to practice the sacrament.

How it's done: Communion is practiced for believers to remember.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness means forgetting someone's actions when remembering someone's name.

Three things a follower of Jesus must know about forgiveness:

Grace

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith.” -Eph. 2:8 The Bible says believe Jesus died for your sins and you will be reconciled to God. Still, grace extends beyond one's eternal destiny. God demonstrates grace in smaller ways too.

Worship

Who: Anyone who loves Jesus as Lord and Savior worships Him.

What: Worship is anything we do out of thanksgiving to God and adoration for Him.

Trinity

The trinity is made up of three parts: 1. God the Father or Creator 2. God in Flesh - Jesus Christ 3. God in Spirit - Holy Spirit. Each aspect is a different expression of the same God.

One illustration I find helpful: