One of the greatest privileges parents have is introducing their children to Jesus. Even at a very young age, toddlers and preschoolers are capable of understanding foundational truths about who Jesus is when those truths are presented in simple, meaningful ways.
As Christian parents, homeschoolers, and Sunday school teachers, we don’t have to wait until children are older to begin teaching theology. Young children are naturally curious, eager to learn, and deeply receptive to truth through stories, repetition, play, and conversation.
If you’ve ever wondered how to teach toddlers about Jesus in a way they can truly understand, focusing on a few core truths is a wonderful place to begin.
In our home and Big Truths curriculum, we focus on four simple but powerful truths:
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Jesus is King
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Jesus is the Good Shepherd
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Jesus is God
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Jesus is our Savior
These truths help young children begin building a biblical understanding of who Jesus is and why He matters in their everyday lives.
Why Teaching Toddlers About Jesus Matters
Children begin forming their understanding of the world from a very young age. Teaching toddlers about Jesus lays the foundation for future faith, biblical literacy, and a relationship with God.
Toddlers may not understand deep theology yet, but they can absolutely understand that Jesus is God, He is in control of all things, He cares for them, and He is the one who saves us from our sin.
When we consistently point our children to Jesus in everyday life, we help build familiarity with Scripture and confidence in God’s character.
Jesus Is King
One of the easiest ways to help toddlers understand Jesus is by teaching that Jesus is King.
Young children often understand the concept of kings through storybooks and pretend play. A king rules over a kingdom and has authority. Teaching that Jesus is King helps children understand that Jesus rules over everything with wisdom, goodness, and love.
You can explain it simply like this:
“Jesus is the best King because He is powerful, loving, and perfect.”
Simple Ways to Teach Toddlers That Jesus Is King
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Read Bible stories that show Jesus’ power, such as Jesus calming the storm
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Make paper crowns together
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Sing worship songs about Jesus
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Talk about how Jesus takes care of His people
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Practice simple prayers thanking King Jesus
Bible Verses About Jesus as King
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“For God is the King of all the earth.” — Psalm 47:7
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“King of kings and Lord of lords.” — Revelation 19:16
Teaching preschoolers about Jesus as King helps them understand His authority while also reminding them that His rule is loving and trustworthy.
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
Toddlers naturally connect with the image of a shepherd caring for sheep. This picture gives children a beautiful understanding of Jesus’ gentleness and care.
In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Shepherds protect sheep, guide them, and keep them safe. In the same way, Jesus watches over His people.
You can explain it like this:
“Jesus loves and takes care of us like a shepherd cares for sheep.”
Preschool Bible Activities About the Good Shepherd
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Create cotton ball sheep crafts
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Read John 10 together
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Pretend to guide stuffed animals like sheep
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Talk about ways Jesus helps us when we feel scared or sad
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Sing songs about God’s care and protection
This truth is especially comforting for young children because it connects Jesus with safety, love, and guidance.
Jesus Is God
Many parents feel intimidated teaching toddlers that Jesus is God, but this truth can still be taught simply and clearly.
Children do not need complicated theological explanations to begin understanding that Jesus is fully God and worthy of worship.
You can explain it like this:
“Jesus is God’s Son, and Jesus is God. He is holy, powerful, and perfect.”
Ways to Teach Toddlers That Jesus Is God
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Read miracle stories from the Gospels
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Talk about how Jesus did things only God can do
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Read about creation and discuss God’s power
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Emphasize Jesus’ perfection and love
One of the most beautiful parts of teaching theology to preschoolers is that we are planting seeds. We are not trying to explain every mystery perfectly. We are simply helping children become familiar with the truth of who Jesus is.
Jesus Is Our Savior
The gospel can and should be shared with young children in gentle, age-appropriate ways.
Toddlers can begin understanding:
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We all sin
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Jesus loves us
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Jesus died on the cross
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Jesus rose again
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Jesus rescues us from sin
You can explain it simply like this:
“Jesus came to save us because He loves us so much.”
Simple Gospel Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
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Read the Easter story together
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Make simple cross crafts
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Practice short prayers thanking Jesus
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Memorize short Bible verses together, like these from Romans. (For more on scripture memorization with little ones check out this blog post).
Teaching toddlers about Jesus as Savior helps build an early understanding of grace, forgiveness, and God’s love.
Tips for Teaching Theology to Toddlers and Preschoolers
If teaching young children about Jesus feels overwhelming, remember this: you do not have to teach perfectly to teach faithfully.
Here are a few simple ways to make preschool Bible lessons engaging and understandable:
Keep Lessons Short
Toddlers learn best in small chunks of time.
Use Repetition
Repeating the same truths regularly helps children remember and understand them over time.
Make Learning Hands-On
Crafts, songs, movement, and play help young children stay engaged.
Use Simple Language
Avoid overcomplicating biblical truths. Simple explanations are powerful.
Read Scripture Often
Even very young children benefit from hearing God’s Word regularly. For more on building healthy rhythms in your home, check out this blog post.
A Simple Way to Teach Young Children About Jesus
As a mom and curriculum creator, I wanted to create a simple, Bible-centered resource that helps toddlers and preschoolers understand who Jesus is in an age-appropriate way.
That’s why I created our “Big Truths: Jesus” curriculum — a four-lesson study designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.
This preschool Bible curriculum teaches:
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Jesus is King
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Jesus is the Good Shepherd
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Jesus is God
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Jesus is Savior
Each lesson includes simple teaching, hands-on activities, and engaging ways to help little learners understand foundational truths about Jesus.
You can explore the curriculum here.
Final Encouragement
Teaching toddlers about Jesus does not require perfection, long lessons, or advanced theology degrees. Faithful conversations, simple Bible stories, repeated truths, and everyday moments all matter deeply. God uses small seeds planted in childhood in powerful ways.
Whether you are teaching at home, in homeschool preschool, Sunday school, or children’s ministry, remember that helping little hearts know Jesus is eternally valuable. Sometimes the simplest truths become the ones children carry with them for the rest of their lives.