For Very Curious Kids

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It is good to be curious! It is good to ask questions. In my book, If I Could Ask God Anything, you will find answers to almost 200 questions about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, Christianity, Prayer, Christian Seasons and Holidays – and much, much more!

Of course there are an endless number of questions about God – more than could ever be answered in one book. Because you are a very curious kid, here are more awesome Bible answers just for you! Have fun!

How Did the Bible Get Its Name?

In ancient times, the Greeks purchased paper from the seaport of Byblos, in what is now modern-day Lebanon. Byblos was also the word for papyrus, the grassy reed from which paper was made. From Byblos, the Greeks derived the word biblios, which means books. Today the English word Bible means “The Book.”

Here is an interesting fact: The word Bible is not found in the Bible! This is because the term came into use long after all the books of the Bible were completed and chosen.

What are the Books of the Apocrypha in the Bible?

The Greek word apocrypha means hidden or secret. The books of the Apocrypha were included in a Greek translation of the Old Testament used by early Christians called the Septuagint. Some of the Apocrypha are additions to Old Testament books. The Books of the Apocrypha are located between the Old and New Testaments. Today they are included in many Bibles.

The Books of the Apocrypha are:

  • The First Book of Esdras
  • Tobit
  • Judith
  • Additions to the Book of Esther (Included in the Book of Esther in the Roman Catholic Bible)
  • The Wisdom of Solomon
  • Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
  • Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah
  • Additions to the Book of Daniel:
      • The Prayer of Azariah and The Song of the Three Jews
      • Daniel and Susanna
      • Daniel, Bel and The Dragon (Included in the Book of Daniel in the Roman Catholic Bible)
  • The Prayer of Manasseh
  • The First Book of the Maccabees
  • The Second Book of the Maccabees

What’s the Difference Between the “Jews”, the “Hebrews”, and the “Israelites?”

 The word Jew is the most commonly used name for the people of Israel. The words Jew and Jewish are derived from the Hebrew word Yehudi, meaning “one who comes from Judea.” Judea was the ancient region of southern Palestine which was made up of modern-day southern Israel and southwest Jordan.

The word Hebrew refers to the language, religious and cultural traditions of the Jewish people. Abraham, the father of the Jews, was called a Hebrew (Genesis 14:13).

Israel is a nation. An Israelite is a person who is a citizen of Israel. In ancient times, Israel was a kingdom of Palestine founded by King Saul around 1025 BC. After 933 BC, it split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. In 721 BC, Israel was overthrown by the Assyrians. For hundreds of years, the Jews no longer had their own country. Over time, they roamed all over earth and dreamed of the day when they could once again have a nation of their own. Modern Israel was created in 1948 after World War II. Today all people who are born Jews or who convert to Judaism are welcomed as citizens of the nation of Israel.

Who are the “Four Evangelists?”

The word evangelist means “one who brings good news.” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are often called the “Four Evangelists,” because through their four books in the Bible, they bring the good news of Jesus. Over the years, symbols have become associated with the Four Evangelists. The symbols represent the different qualities of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, write about in their gospels.

Matthew’s symbol is The Winged Man, which represents the humanity of Jesus.

Mark’s symbol is The Winged Lion, which represents the kingship of Jesus.

Luke’s symbol is The Winged Ox, which represents the priesthood of Jesus.

John’s symbol is The Eagle, which represents the Godly nature of Jesus.

What is Religion?

Religion is the desire God has put in every human heart to try to get closer to Him. Throughout human history, religion has been present in all cultures.

Of all the creatures created by God, only humans are self-aware. Only humans ask questions about their existence on earth: Who am I? Why am I here? What will happen to me when I die?

The word religion comes from the Latin word ligare, which means “to bind together.” It’s the same word from which we get the word ligament. Ligaments are the stretchy tissues that hold our bones together so we can hop, skip, jump and run. The tiny word re, put in front of ligare means “to re-bind together.” This suggests that there is something about the friendship between human beings and God that has come undone or broken. Religion offers people a way to fix that broken friendship and get closer to God.

God created us to be in a personal relationship with Him.

Because God loves us, He wants us to know Him and love Him back.

What is Christianity?

Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity began with a few disciples in the small, out of the way Roman province of Judea more than 2,000 years ago. People who believe in and follow Jesus are called Christians (Acts 11:26).

The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 47). From Judea, Christianity quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire.

Today, Christians live in every nation of the world. More than two billion people, or about one-third of the people on earth, call themselves Christians. It is estimated that nearly 700 million Christians are fifteen years old or younger. That’s a lot of Christian kids!

What’s the Biggest Difference Between Christianity and Other Religions?

Christianity is not just another religion that teaches about God. Christianity is a religion centered on having a personal relationship with God. This is possible because Christians believe that God is alive. God is real. God is loving. God is forgiving. God has a special plan for the world, and for each person’s life in it.

Most importantly, Christians believe that God loves the world and all the people in it (John 3:16).

God loves you!

Who is Pontius Pilate and Why is He Mentioned in theApostles’ Creed?

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor in charge of Judea from 26-36 AD. When Jesus was arrested, He was brought to Pontius Pilate for sentencing. Pontius Pilate sensed in his heart that Jesus was innocent of any crime.

At the same time there was a criminal named Barabbas, also waiting to be sentenced. Once a year, during the time of Passover, it was the custom of the Roman governor to let one criminal go free (Matthew 27:15-16). Pontius Pilate couldn’t make up his mind.

He put the question to the crowd: “Whom shall I set free? Jesus or Barabbas?”

“Barabbas!” the crowd cried (Matthew 27:21).

“But what about Jesus?” Pontius Pilate asked.

“Crucify Him!” the crowd roared (Matthew 27:22-23).

Pontius Pilate was not happy with the crowd’s choice. But he handed Jesus over to the crowd to be crucified (John 18:28 – 19:16). He showed his unhappiness by washing his hands and saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood” (Matthew 27:24).

The reason Pontius Pilate is mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed is to remind us that the story of Jesus is real. The story of Jesus is not a myth or legend or fairy tale. The story of Jesus does not begin with the words “Once upon a time…” It is an honest-to-goodness historical fact. It is documented in many ancient texts, including one written by a Roman historian named Josephus.

What Does the Apostles’ Creed Mean When It Says Jesus “Descended to the Dead?”

After Jesus died on the cross and before He was resurrected, the Bible says He visited Hades (1 Peter 3:18-20). Hades is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Sheol, which means “the grave.” In Jesus’ day, Sheol was thought of not as a place, but as a state of being. Sheol is not to be confused with Gehenna, or Hell, where bad souls suffer eternal punishment for their sins.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding exactly what Jesus did during His three days in Sheol. Many scholars believe that Jesus preached the good news of His life, death and resurrection to the souls of all the dead people on earth. What a loving thing for Jesus to do! This would mean that everyone had a chance to hear the good news of God’s love for all people.

What are the Seven Deadly Sins?

The Seven Deadly Sins do not appear as an actual list in the Bible, but they agree with Biblical teachings. Some scholars say the list was made by Pope Gregory the Great, who led the Roman Catholic Church from 540 to 604 AD. But no one knows for sure.

The Seven Deadly Sins are:

  • Pride
  • Anger
  • Envy
  • Greed
  • Laziness
  • Lust
  • Gluttony

What is the “Unforgivable Sin?”

Jesus told His disciples that through believing in Him, God would forgive every sin but one.

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven,” Jesus said (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10).

Much has been written about this difficult teaching. What does it mean to “speak against the Holy Spirit?” Jesus understood that the Holy Spirit is a loving gift from His Father God. To speak against the Holy Spirit is to willfully speak against God, too. Jesus is warning us not to speak against God’s Holy Spirit, Who is real, lives in our hearts, and loves us just the same as God and Jesus.

How Do I Put My Faith Into Action?

Our life on earth is a gift from God. God wants us to care about people in need. Once we care, God asks us to do something more. He asks us to use our lives to reach out and help. This is called putting our Christian faith into action.

Here is a beautiful prayer to help you put your faith into loving action:
Lord Jesus, I give You my hands to do Your work.
I give You my feet to go Your way.
I give You my eyes to see as You do.
I give You my tongue to speak Your words.
I give You my mind
that You may think in me.
Above all, I give You my heart
that You may love, in me,
Your Father and all humankind.
I give You my whole self,
that You may grow in me,
so that it is You, Lord Jesus,
Who live and work and pray in me.
– Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, England 1555-1626

What’s the Secret Puzzle in the Sign of the Fish?

In the early days of the church, Christians were persecuted by the government. They had to meet in secret. Because of the constant danger they faced, the early Christians developed secret signs to identify each other.

One secret sign was the fish. To use the sign, a Christian would draw a simple curve-shape line of half a fish on the wall or in the dirt. A non-Christian passing by would think nothing of this. But another Christian knew what to do and completed the sign by drawing the other half of the fish! The secret sign of the fish encouraged Christians. It helped them feel not so alone.

The fish was also a symbol that reminded the early Christians of what they believed. Why a fish? Jesus’ first disciples, Peter and his brother Andrew, were fishermen. When Jesus saw them casting their nets, He said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).

Here’s the best part. Many early Christians spoke Greek. The Greek word for fish is ichthus. The first letters of the word ichthus formed a secret puzzle that revealed what the early Christians believed:

Iesous = Jesus

CHristos = Christ

Theous = God’s

HUios = Son

Soter = Savior

So, ICHTHUS, the Greek word for fish, stands for: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.

Two thousand years later, the symbol of the fish is still being used by millions of Christians around the world. Isn’t that amazing?

What are the Four Great Branches of the Christian Church?

The Christian Church started about 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem in Israel (Acts 2). Many of the early church leaders personally knew Jesus during His time on earth. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 47). From Jerusalem, the Church quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire.

For a long time there were two big churches in two major cities: Rome, Italy, and Constantinople, Turkey. Over the years, these two important churches developed slightly different teachings and practices. They influenced the smaller churches around them. In the eleventh century they could no longer agree with each other. They officially split into two separate Christian churches: The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. These are the first two great branches of the worldwide Christian Church. They are still separate churches today. They are also very large and very active around the world.

The third great branch of the Christian Church came out of the Protestant reformation in the sixteenth century. These Christians were called Protestants because they protested or disagreed about certain teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestants wanted to put the Bible back in the center of church life. In the process they got rid of everything they thought was not in the Bible. For Protestants, the sermon became a much more important part of the church service. Some of the early Protestant churches, like the Puritans, no longer exist. But many Protestant churches continue to thrive and do good work around the world.

The Pentecostal churches make up the fourth great branch of the worldwide Church today. The modern Pentecostal movement started in 1906, at a small mission church on Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California. Members at that church suddenly had the experience of speaking and understanding languages they did not know. They were able to heal people “in the name of Jesus.” A word often used to describe Pentecostal Christians is charismatic, which means gift. This is because members of the Pentecostal churches welcome the supernatural gifts of God’s Holy Spirit. Today the Pentecostal churches are among the fastest growing in the world.

To sum up, the four great branches of the worldwide Christian Church are: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and Pentecostal. Many churches today are mixtures of these four great branches. It is important to remember that while Christian churches may be different in some ways, they are alike in the most important way.

Christian churches are made up of people who love Jesus.

What is a Sacrament?

 A sacrament is an outward visible sign of God’s inward spiritual grace.

A sacrament is like a smile. A smile is an outward visible sign of inward happiness. A smile is a loving gift offered from your heart to the heart of another.

The word sacrament comes from a word that means set apart or holy. The word grace means God’s favor towards us, unearned and undeserved. By grace God forgives our sins through Jesus. By grace, God enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and strengthens our wills (The Book of Common Prayer).

Jesus asked Christians to observe two sacraments. Over the years, these have become known as the “Two Great Sacraments” of the Gospel. They are celebrated by most Christian churches. The Two Great Sacraments are:

  • Holy Baptism
  • Holy Communion (also called Holy Eucharist, the Great Thanksgiving, the Lord’s Supper, the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, the Great Offering, and the Breaking of Bread)

Under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, many Christian churches celebrate five additional sacraments. They are:

      • Confirmation (Committing oneself to faith in Jesus)
      • Ordination (Becoming a bishop, priest, minister, or deacon)
      • Holy Matrimony (Marriage)
      • Reconciliation of a Penitent (also called Penance, the confessing and receiving pardon for one’s sins)
      • Unction of the Sick (Anointing the sick with oil, or praying for the sick by the laying on of hands)

It is important to remember that God does not need sacraments to show His love for you. God can reach out and touch your heart in countless other ways. God is God! But over the years, Christians have found that the sacraments help us experience God’s love and grace in a powerful way.

What’s the Difference Between a “Clergy” Person and a “Lay” Person?

A clergy person is a man or woman who is the official leader of a church. The word clergy comes from a word that means clerk or secretary. Today, most Christian clergy persons attend a special school called a seminary to learn about God and how to be a church leader. Most clergy people are also ordained, or appointed, to be official church leaders. Some clergy are elected by other members to lead a congregation.

A lay person is a Christian who is not an ordained or official leader of a church. The word lay means “of the people.” Lay people are very important in the church. Lay people teach Sunday school. Lay people lead Bible studies. Lay people sing in choirs, read out loud from the Bible, and help with Holy Communion. Lay people pray for other members of the church. Some lay people even write and deliver sermons!

Christian clergy and lay people worship, study the Bible, pray, and serve God together. They work together to do God’s work on earth.

Christian clergy and lay people love Jesus.

Why Do Some Church Leaders Wear a White Collar Around Their Necks?

Some Christian clergy wear what is called a clerical collar. A clerical collar is a detachable band that fastens at the back of the neck with two tiny metal studs. It is almost always white, which symbolizes purity. The clerical collar is a fairly modern piece of clothing, invented in 1827. It is worn mostly by Anglican, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic priests. Sometimes it is called a “dog collar!”

The clerical collar serves as a sign to others that the person wearing it is a clergy person. It is a sign that the person loves Jesus.

How Can Believing in Jesus Make a Difference in My Life?

The word convert means to turn around. When you are converted from unbelief to belief in Jesus, your whole life is turned around! Believing in Jesus makes all the difference in a person’s life. Here are just a few good reasons to believe in Jesus:

When You Believe in Jesus…

You know Jesus loves you.
It’s easier to love yourself.
It’s easier to love others.
Life is an adventure with Jesus!
After your body dies, your soul lives forever in heaven with God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the angels, and the whole family of God!

For all these reasons, to convert from unbelief to belief in Jesus is a very good thing!

What Makes Jesus’ Resurrected Body So Special?

Jesus’ resurrected body is special in many ways. First of all, it is a body that will live forever. It will never get injured or diseased. It will never die. Right now, Jesus is alive in His resurrected body in heaven!

It is interesting that Jesus’ resurrected body bears the scars from His crucifixion. The apostle Thomas doubted the resurrection. Being able to see and put his hands into the wounds of the resurrected Jesus proved to Thomas that Jesus was truly alive (John 20:24-29). Some people think that the crucifixion scars remain on Jesus’ resurrected body as a reminder of the great love He showed in dying for our sins on the cross.

Jesus’ resurrected body is also special in that it has the ability to appear and disappear in a very surprising way! More than once Jesus surprised the disciples by suddenly appearing in their midst (Luke 24:36-37; John 20:26-29). This is a great mystery, because Jesus’ resurrected body is made of flesh and bone.

“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” Jesus said to the amazed disciples. “Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25).

During His time on earth in His resurrected body, Jesus ate bread and broiled fish (Luke 24:42-43; John 21:12-13). Maybe this means that we will eat and drink in heaven! What do you think?

Why Does My Friend Make the Sign of the Cross When She Prays?

Making the sign of the cross is an ancient Christian custom. It is not mentioned in the Bible, but goes back to the days of the early church.

The sign of the cross is a four-step motion. It is usually made with the right hand gently touching one’s (1) forehead, (2) heart, (3) left shoulder, and (4) right shoulder. Touching our head reminds us to think of Jesus. Touching our heart reminds us to love Jesus. Touching our shoulders reminds us to carry His message of love to all the world. Some Christians add an extra fifth motion, bringing the hand back to the heart.

There is no right or wrong time or reason to make the sign of the cross. Many Christians make the sign of the cross at the beginning of end of a prayer. Some Christians make the sign of the cross when they are frightened or in trouble. Others make it when they simply want to feel close to Jesus.

There is an old story that the sign of the cross is like making a big “I” (head to heart), and then crossing it out (shoulder to shoulder). It helps you forget yourself and think about Jesus.

Making the sign of the cross is a reminder of God’s great love for you.

What is Epiphany?

Epiphany is a Christian festival that is celebrated twelve days after Christmas. Most Christians celebrate Epiphany on January 6. The word epiphany means to appear or to show one’s self. In many Christian churches, Epiphany celebrates the time when wise men from the East came to visit the baby Jesus. Although the wise men were from far away countries, they recognized that Jesus was very special. They fell down and worshiped Him. They showered Him with precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-12). Epiphany is a time to remember that God sent Jesus to earth for everyone.

Epiphany is also the season in the church year that lasts several seeks from January 6, to Ash Wednesday. The season of Epiphany is a time for remembering that Jesus lives in your heart. Epiphany is a good time to look for Jesus in others. It is a good time to thank God for His great love.

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday. It is also called Holy Thursday.

On the night before Jesus was put to death, He shared a special Passover meal with His disciples. Over the years, this meal has come to be known as the Last Supper (see Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-30).

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus knew that He was going to die. To show the disciples how much He loved them, Jesus washed their feet (John 13:1-17). This was shocking to the disciples. Jesus was their master. In their world, a master would never wash the feet of his servants. But Jesus saw things differently.

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am,” said Jesus. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:13-17).

The word Maundy means “commandment.” This is because Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another in a new way. On Maundy Thursday, many churches have services with Holy Communion to remember the Last Supper. At the end of the service they remove or “strip” the altar of all its decorations. The stripping of the altar symbolizes the stripping of Jesus’ clothes before He was crucified. Some churches also have a special service where the church leaders and members wash each other’s feet.

What is Holy Saturday?

Holy Saturday is also known as Easter Eve. Holy Saturday is usually celebrated with a nighttime service of solemn vigil. The word vigil means “to keep watch.” Anglican, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Christians often baptize new members on Holy Saturday.

The Holy Saturday church service leads up to a dramatic moment when all the lights are turned out. At the stroke of midnight the priest lights a very tall white candle. The candle is a symbol of the risen Jesus. The candle is used to light everyone else’s candle. Soon the church is ablaze with candlelight! It is Easter morning! Candlelight is a symbol of Jesus’ victory over the darkness of evil and death. It is also a reminder of Jesus’ love which shines in our hearts.

What is Ascension Day?

Jesus walked and talked on earth in His resurrected body for forty days. Then He gathered His disciples on the Mount of Olives near Bethany. The time had come for Jesus to join His Father God in heaven. To everyone’s amazement, Jesus was suddenly “taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). Witnesses said it was as though a cloud took Jesus out of the disciples’ sight (Acts 1:9).

Ascension Day takes place forty days after Easter. The word ascension means the act of going up. Ascension Day always takes place on a Thursday. Many Christians around the world celebrate Jesus’ return to heaven with a special Ascension Thursday church service. At the service they read the Bible story of Jesus’ Ascension out loud.

What is Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer?

Saint Patrick was born around 389 AD and died on March 17, 461 AD. Saint Patrick loved Jesus with all his heart, and is responsible for converting all of Ireland to Christianity. During his lifetime he started more than 300 churches and baptized more than 120,000 new Christians!

Saint Patrick wrote a beautiful prayer that was inscribed on his breastplate when he died. To this day it is read and sung as a hymn by Christians around the world.

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer
I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three…
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Excerpted from the Saint Patrick’s Breastplate translation by Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander, 1889.

When Does My Eternal Life Begin?

The Bible says that God has no beginning and no end. This is because God is eternal. The word eternal means infinite or endless. The Bible says that God has set eternity in your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Bible says that God knew you before you were born! (Psalm 139). Because God is eternal, you are eternal, too. The part of you that is eternal and lives forever is called your soul.

Many people think that your eternal life does not begin until after you die. But this is incorrect. Your eternal life is taking place right this very minute! When you die, your body will stay on earth. But your eternal soul will go on to live forever with God (2 Corinthians 5:1). This is very good news!

The Most Important Prayer in the World

Because you are a very curious kid, you probably know that the following prayer appears at the end of my book, If I Could Ask God Anything. Because it is so-o-o-o-o-o-o important, I am reprinting it for you here!

Maybe you’ve never gone to church. Maybe you’ve been going to church since you were a little kid, but you’re still not sure that Jesus is living in your heart. Not to worry! We all feel that way sometimes.

Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20).

Do you hear Jesus knocking on the door of your heart? If you do, maybe now is the time for you to open the door. It’s easy. Just say:

Thank You, Jesus, for being real. Thank You for loving me so much that You died on the cross for me and my sins. It’s hard to believe that You love me that much. But I do. Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving me when I sin. Thank You for loving me no matter what. Please come into my heart now, live in me, and be my friend forever. Day by day, show me what You want me to do. Help me hear Your voice. Help me be obedient. Help me read my Bible. Lead me to good Christian friends. Teach me to love. Thank You, Jesus, for hearing this prayer. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

Now that you’ve prayed this prayer, you may not feel any different, but deep down inside you are. Get ready for some real fun and excitement, because you are about to embark on a new adventure!

From this moment on, wherever you go, whatever you do, Jesus promises that He will be with you. Jesus promises that He will be living in your heart, helping and loving you. Whenever you want Jesus, just call His name. He will be with you, listening, caring, and protecting you. Jesus will be the best friend you ever had (John 15:15).

Why does Jesus want to do all this for you?

Because Jesus loves you (John 15:9, 13; 1 John 3:16).

Now that you’ve invited Jesus into your heart, tell your parents or another trusted grown-up who loves Jesus. They will want to celebrate with you! Ask them what it means to love God. Ask them what it means to be baptized and to follow Jesus. They will want to help you take the first steps in your journey of faith.

Why do they want to do all this for you?

Because they love you, too.

 

© Copyright 2020 Kathryn Slattery. May not be reprinted or distributed without permission from the author