The apple one is kind of cool. 18:20; Matt. They have eternally (John 17:5, 24) sought to glorify each other (Phil. Why? Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org. God is not one person who plays three different roles, as this illustration suggests. Show them that there are three parts: seeds, flesh, and skin. A Christian would still be expected to understand it. My Starting Point for Trying to Explain the Trinity, The Simplest but Still Clear Explanation for the Trinity, The 3 Most Common Trinity Analogies (and their limitations). Therefore, we must always endeavor to deepen our worship of God in truth as well as in our hearts. Its not unusual for teenagers to give Jesus a bunch of loving characteristics and then put words like justice and vengeance on God the Fathers poster. Check out my tips for teaching your kids about bedtime prayer. Sometimes the Spirit is treated more like a force than a Person. Are these just three different ways of looking at God, or simply ways of referring to three different roles that God plays? Its probably the most classic Trinity object lesson, but its not my favorite. Kids understand the three different forms clearly, as separate objects. Several analogies help us apprehend the Trinity. If youre wondering how to explain the Trinity to a child, keep it simple. How can one explain the Trinity simply to a new believer? See if you can let kids arrive at the notion that God isnt really made up of parts. Trying to fully understand God is like a 2-year-old trying to fully understand the complexities of relationships, marriage, and parenting! And the Trinity is an essential doctrine to our understanding of God. In this blog post, we are going to discuss the Holy Trinity in simple terms. What Is the Trinity? (Free Downloads) - Ligonier.org 20 Bible verses that mention all Trinity members - OverviewBible After all, as I have said many times (to myself as much as others! Our mind distinguishes each of the three leaves (the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost), but at the same time recognizes they are one shamrock. On the other hand, we must say that the Persons are real, that they are not just different ways of looking at the one being of GodThe only way it seems possible to do this is to say that the distinction between the persons is not a difference of "being" but a difference of "relationships." Is referred to in the second person (you; Ps. The Trinity is important to Christians because it reminds us that God is all-powerful, walked this Earth as a perfect human who can relate to our pain, and also lives on today in our hearts. During this period, it was attempted solely by using algorithmswhich are basically rules or sets of rules you tell a computer to follow. Discipleship 101: How to Disciple a New Believer - Crossway Satan existed with the angels at the beginning of creation as one of the cherubim. There are three Persons with one divine essence! 9:18; Matt. And interesting they are listed under a single name. This refers to Gods single essence. Further, we clearly should not think of God as consisting of anything other than divinity. Both the New Testament and Old Testament testify that there is only one God: Unfortunately, we cannot go through each of these passages in detail. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. At his death on the cross, sinless Jesus chose to substitute himself in our place (Heb. These questions arealwaysasked by someone who is exploring faith in Jesus. Anytime you see a geometric figure with these features, it is a triangle. This is very important: God is one and three at the same time, but not in the same way. Within Gods one, undivided being is an unfolding into three personal distinctions. They are all eternal. Why do so many people struggle with the doctrine of the Trinity? John introduces us to the Trinity in John 1:1- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.". He realized Scripture alone is the only way we know about the Trinity (1 Cor. How to Explain the Trinity to Muslims - Biblical Missiology In other words, Christianity is unique among all other worldviews. We can never completely understand the Trinities one essence and three Persons. Omnipotence (Jer. It is very simple: All three Persons are one God because, as we saw above, they are all the same essence. A beautiful mystery. There will always be some level of mystery to this, but when you talk about the being/nature/essence as God and the persons/expressions as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I think we get at least a little bit closer to beginning to comprehend something we can never fully comprehend. How is God three? Yes, the Spirit was sent, but this does not imply that the Holy Spirit is less than they are. The Trinity Matters because the Gospel Matters. What Is the Trinity in Christianity? - Learn Religions Simply stated, God is one in essence and three in person. How To Explain the Trinity To Your Child - 4 Creative Ways How to Explain the Trinity to an Unbeliever The Village Church - Flower Mound 118K subscribers 36K views 5 years ago The Trinity is confusing even to most Christians, so we want to pull the. It may seem like a daunting question at first, but when we think about it the truth of God's triune nature is meant to be a joy, a comfort, and a wonder to us! And the triangle can help us distinguish one essence from the three Persons. The Trinity: Easy As 1, 2, 3? - ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry ONLY the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God. From the 1950s to the 2000s, people wanted to see if they could make computers exhibit intelligence indistinguishable from humans. Others seem to come by it naturally, and its just not fair! In his second letter to the Corinthians, he bids farewell to them: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the But how can finite humans know anything about Gods infinite essence? Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. 10:2831), In Johns writings (1 John 4:1314; Rev. Trinity | Definition, Theology, & History | Britannica Explore answers to life's biggest questions. Likewise, after the Son returned to the Father (John 16:10), the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world (John 14:26; Acts 2:33). I work hard to produce evidence-based information about school for both teachers and parents, and to produce and share resources that can help at home and in the classroom. No, the wordTrinitydoes not appear in the Bible. The ancient church fathers at first simply acknowledged the Trinity without feeling the need to explain a theology of that understanding. Steam, water, and ice are all H20. This is great fun to see how teenagers draw a picture of God. What Should Christians Know about the Trinity? Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. We believe God is one in essence. The Hebrew word for God isElohim. 15:19), God is called Father (John 17:1; John 3; 20:17; 1 Cor. How to Support Gifted ReadersContinue, OurYotoplayer,Yoto Mini, and set of Yoto cards is the number one favorite toy in our household, and it has been for two years now. But they are eternally subordinate in their roles to him (1 Cor. It is crucial for properly understanding what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we should relate to Him. (Heavy sigh.) More posts you may like r/TrueChristian It was God who took the initiative to save humankind. To be even more precise, essence is what you are. But its not a mystery that can or should! Now youre gonna tell me theyre all the same but also different? Obviously we cannot, for Scripture is clear that there is only one God: There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. The Best Way to Explain the Trinity to Kids - The Purposeful Mom 2. As you might expect, some people consider these mysteries as contradictions. But in response we can point out both agreement and clarification. Then I'll share an activity using the Celtic Trinity Knot to explain the Trinity to children along with the love that exists between each of its Persons and us. If you are teaching young children, these object lessons are both the perfect starting and stopping point. Use Objects As Visual Aids. 40:18; Rom. Matthew 12:28. Egg A single egg is made up of the yolk, the whites, and the shell. In fact, it is precisely the continuing dialogue between the Father and the Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 5:19; 11:41-42; 17:1ff ) which furnishes the best evidence that they are distinct Persons with distinct centers of consciousness. Most people, including many Christians, struggle trying to apprehend the Trinity. This is one of the books of the Torah. You cant find an earthly match for this concept. He sanctifies us (1 Pet. How to Explain the Trinity in 4 Steps - The Catechism Guy We can be adopted by the Father and united with Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:1223; Rom. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. If there is one passage which most clearly brings all of this together, it is Matthew 28:19: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. First, notice that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinguished as distinct Persons. 12:11), When the Holy Spirit speaks, he refers to himself in first person (Acts 13:2). Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine, and Jerome mention it. It is the Matthew 28:19 baptismal formula: Jesus said, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in thenameof the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (emphasis mine). That leaves us with the modern definition of the word mystery. Lets apply what weve learned to the Trinity based on the graphic. Christs resurrection is variously attributed to: Multiple verses distinguish each member of the Trinity. Therefore each of the Persons into whose name we are to be baptized must be deity. God is like the skin because He protects us. The general pattern of prayer in the Bible is to pray to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). Or stated simply, the triangles what-ness.. What does essence mean? That isGod is three Persons in onethe Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Bible reveals that God isone, in essence, eternally revealed inthree Persons. Essence and personhood are NOT the same thing. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do not unite people by neglecting t Because these features make up the singular essence or nature of a triangle. But that doesn't mean the concept isn't clearly taught. Sproul cites as an example Dickens famous line, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Obviously this is a contradiction if Dickens means that it was the best of times in the same way that it was the worst of times. How is God one? 1:20-21), In salutations and benedictions (2 Cor. While I believe that this is a helpful definition, it should be recognized that Grudem himself is offering this as more of an explanation than definition of Person. We define personhood by three key characteristics: Now that you understand the critical distinction, you know that essence is what. And you know personhood is who.. Wayne Grudem explains: But if each person is fully God and has all of Gods being, then we also should not think that the personal distinctions are any kind of additional attributes added on to the being of God . These verses make it impossible to deny their individuality and deity. The all powerful one who lives up in Heaven and either judges us mercilessly or loves us endlessly, depending on who you ask. 3. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him to equip Him for His ministry. God is one in a certain way (essence) and three in a different way (person). 4:6; James 2:19; Jude 25. The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. The Fathers plan for our redemption shows his great love for humankind. To confess that the Father, Son, and Spirit are equal in power of course means that one does not rule over the other in any way. Rather, each person of the Trinity has all of the attributes of God, and no one Person has any attributes that are not possessed by the others. That is why understanding what the Trinity is and is not asserting. We Reflect God's Personhood and Relations. Each person of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) really IS God. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. That way were providing a simple, common language and framework for everything else were going to say (or any analogies we use). Best Age To Teach The Trinity To A Child. Finally I would end with Deuteronomy 29:29 which helps us to realize that we cannot fully comprehend God. Genesis 1:1says this: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.. The Father is not one-third of the being of God, He is all of the being of God. God is the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. Confusing them leads to misunderstanding. John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God.". Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. It is one of the two ordinances of the Christian Church. To help us do that, here are two reasons why the Trinity matters. How to explain the Trinity to a new believer - Quora This post is full of Bible facts for kids that will spark the imagination, encourage lots of good questions, and even inspire some Bible reading. ETS members all confess the Father, the Son, and the Spirit to be "one in essence, equal in power and glory.". The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We exist to worship God. But it is not. Thats what faith is being content with our own confusion while still knowing that God is bigger than we can comprehend. Rather than let that frustrate you, let it encourage you. And that knowledge can feel liberating. Now lets go a little deeper and consider the triangles three corners (angles). Trinity not mentioned in the Bible anywhere! Each of the persons is distinct from the other in relation (Economic Trinity), yet each is identical in essence (Ontological Trinity). At Jesus baptism, when Christ came up out of the water, the Spirit descended in the appearance of a dove. No, the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible. 4. " Here God is a plural noun, said is in the . 1:318; 1 Pet. One of the reasons Jonathan Edwards's vision of God has proved so helpful in my worship and ministry is that he does, and he doesn't, "explain" the Trinity. The oldest member of the unholy trinity. And when he speaks, he refers to himself in first personas I (Deut. The word "trinity" cannot be found in the Bible, but the truth is that the three of them have been there together all the way along. As Hebrews 9:14 declares. God the Father. 3:19; Eph. Simply put: without three angles, theres no triangle! How do I explain to a non-believer that belief in the Trinity is That is where I go back to the starting point I mentioned above. Awareness of the distinct role that each Person of the Trinity has in our salvation can especially serve to give us greater comfort and appreciation for God in our prayers, as well as helping us to be specific in directing our prayers. 2. And then you will read eight critical truths about the nature of the Trinity. But that doesnt mean the concept isnt clearly taught. This would make each Person less than fully God and thus not God at all. If youd like to get away from simple object lessons and move your child toward a deeper understanding of Gods nature, check out The Attributes of God for Kids. Jehovah's Witnesses and the Trinity | Bible.org The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to the Christian faith. Specifically, distinguishing between Gods one essence and his three Persons. These three persons are of the same substance, equal in power and glory. Third, we have the Holy Spirit, which is also God, living in our hearts and guiding us through life. Those centuries were t It has been said, Try to explain the trinity and lose your mind, try to explain away the trinity and lose your soul. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. "Economic" has to do with the history of salvation, and discusses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the sending and mission of salvation. Why not consider these truths and place your faith in Jesus (1 John 5:1)? Object Lessons on the Trinity for a Child or New Believer, The Difference Between Teaching the Trinity to a Child vs. a Teenager, Books that Explain the Trinity to a Child, Navigating Girl Drama: 20 Ways Schools and Parents Can Help Calm the Storm, Is It Normal that My 4 Year Old Can Read? See if they can think of anything better, and be ready to discuss where different ideas might not quite work. Why not plan on studying verses in each section to prove to yourself that the Bible does claim that God is a Trinity? Being Gods child, we can worship the Father and Jesus through the Spirit (John 4:2324; Phil. And during his earthly ministry, Christ subjected himself to the Fathers will. There is a clue that the Son is distinct from the Father, yet there is fellowship between them. The technical term in case youre interested for this wrong way of thinking about God is calledmodalism. 42. 23:2324). In eternity past, before the beginning, God was alone. This command lists all three persons of the Trinity. Well, we can know because God has given us his special revelation: the Bible. But analogies cannot entirely explain the mystery of God. Yet he also proclaimed, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live (1 Cor. But what exactly are essence or nature and personhood? The Holy Spirit is God. This one is kinda fun for older kids who understand a bit of science. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? However, the Bible teaches us enough about these mysteries that we can apprehend them. So all three members of the Trinity have unique personhood. All three members of the Trinity have these characteristics. Because humankind is limited, God will always exceed our knowledge and understanding (Isa. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. 4 Visual Ways To Explain The Trinity To A Child. Essenceis the objective set of attributes necessary to the thing being described. In all transparency, I feel like I did a pretty mediocre job of explaining the Trinity to them in a way they could grasp. But what does it mean that God is gracious? Why, if they are ALL God? Lets apply these concepts to the Trinity. Our kids are currently 2, 4, and 7, and its equally loved by all of them, so the Yoto age range is really wide! They only describe what makes up Gods singular essence. Then, ask them to write words on the poster that make up the character of God. If each Person of the Trinity is distinct and yet fully God, then should we conclude that there is more than one God? He was sustaining and manifesting Gods immediate presence in his creation. 92:8) and third person (he, his, him) singular pronouns (1 Kings 18:39). The word "scripture " graphe Below is the easiest way that I have ever heard it explained: God the Father is the sun. These three persons make up the one true God. From our understanding of the Trinity (a social being), we recognize that a person is a relational being, not just someone with a mind, a will, and . For instance, each Person: Scripture often names all three members of the Trinity together. 28:20; Col. 3:11), Omnibenevolent (John 13:34; Rom. For example: One of the most common mistakes people make is to think of the Holy Spirit as some force ala Star Wars. But the Holy Spirit is most assuredly a person. Scriptural evidence supports every element proving the Trinity. But how does it show us why there is only one God instead of three?