When I first came to know Jesus personally, I had no concept of the “Trinity” since I knew little or nothing about the Bible. It was by an act of faith I accepted Jesus Christ as my own personal savior. (See testimonial archive: “What have you got to lose”)
The study of the scriptures revealed the uniqueness of God and the vastness of His character. The Bible clearly states there is only one God: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” Deut. 6:4 but there is a separation of purpose throughout His Word which is difficult for our limited minds to understand. So how can we explain it to a child?
Jeremy, an inquisitive 5th grader, asked me, “If God the Father lives in heaven, which is a perfect place, and He can’t have sin in His presence, then how could Jesus (God the Son) bear our sins on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit react to sin? Isn’t there only one God?”
Here is an answer I gave that may help. “Jeremy”, I said, “You have a dad right? And your dad has a dad which is your grandpa. Your dad also has a sister, which is your aunt. That means your Dad (Jeremy Sr) is a father, a son and a brother. He has 3 positions of responsibility but he is only one person: “Jeremy Sr.” That is how it is with God. One God but 3 positions of responsibility.”
Perhaps these passages may also help you as well:
Jesus speaking about Holy Spirit said “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” (John 15:26) This passage helped me personally: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” (I John 5:7)
For an OBJECT lesson on the concept of the Trinity try the following:
Try taking a boiled egg (with shell) and carefully cutting it in half.
Show the cut center to the student and explain:
“Here is an EGG. It is made up of the yolk, the white and the shell. If any of the pieces are missing it is not an EGG. The idea of God is something like the egg. There is one GOD but three persons with three purposes. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.”
I hope this little illustration will prove to be helpful.
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”( 2 John 1:3)
Please feel free to e-mail any comments to: Dr. Nancy at [email protected]