Children's Story for Trinity Sunday
God is a Trinity (Tri – Unity) Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- (Note: This can also be used as an introduction to a Sunday school lesson.
Bible text: John 3:1-17 (especially John 3:16-17) (This is a general text that speaks of the ministry of all 3 persons of the Trinity. Any “trinity” text could be used with this story.
Objects needed: 3 volunteer children
Basic Children's Sermon Idea: Show some of the classic “three in one” Trinity objects such as an apple, egg, ice etc. and discuss how they are “three” yet still “one.” Then get three children to link arms and stand together so close that they appear to be one unit. Explain how this might be a better picture of the triune God because it involves three living persons. Stress the fact that God is not just a doctrine or an idea. God is a community (little family?) of three living persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Theological note: This image may stress the “threeness” more than the “oneness” of the Trinity, but I still think it is a far better picture than what is conveyed with any of the classic inanimate objects- apple, egg, ice, etc.) or go here --> more IDEAS for teaching kids about the TRINITY
Full Children's Sermon:
Good morning children. Today in our church we call this day Trinity Sunday. It’s a day we celebrate the truth that God is made up of the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. You’ve probably heard all three of those names in some of our prayers and especially when we baptize someone. It’s a bit hard to understand. The bible reveals that there is only one God but that this God is made up of three parts, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The word we use to describe this 3 in 1 God is “Trinity.” That is a word made up of the word “Tri” which mean 3 (EG A tricycle has 3 wheels) and the word “Unity,” which means “One” or being unified together. It is a bit of a mystery that there can be one God yet three parts or persons to God. That’s OK. It makes sense that we humans might not be able to completely understand God. But here are some things that might help us understand how something can be “one” and “three” at the same time. See this egg. It is only one egg yet it is made up of three parts. Do you know what those three parts are? (Let the children respond – Discuss some other things that are both 3 and 1 at the same time) That’s very good children. This morning I want to give you one other example of how God might be 3 in 1. I need three of you children to stand up here on this bench. Now stand as close as you can to each other and link arms like you are joined together. That’s great. You are so close you are one group. You look like you are a little community or family. You are made up of three parts but you are so close together you are really one unit. Maybe this is a little like the Trinity. The nice thing about this picture of God is that it is made up of living persons (unlike the egg, ice, or apple). The wonderful thing about the real God is that he is alive. (Suggestion: You could get your group of 3 persons to give someone a hug) That is so wonderful. Jesus can be our savior and friend, the Holy Spirit can live inside of us and give us life, and we can know the deep love the Father has for us. I’m so glad that the God we serve is known to us in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Children's Prayer: Dear God. We know that we cannot fully understand how great and wonderful you really are. But we thank you for revealing yourself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (a Trinity of persons) even though you are still one. Help us to learn more about you and the great love you have for each one of us. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett and Sundaychildrensfocus.com
(Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider doing me a favor by putting a link on your web site) Thank you!