Jack K
Puritan Board Doctor
I've been challenged recently by preschool teachers, a handful of times, to defend the idea that kids of that age are actually able to understand the gospel. I've thought about it and finally decided that if forced to give a yes-or-no answer to the question of whether little kids can understand the gospel well, I choose to say no.
The full response is linked below. In spite of answering no, I end up giving several examples of gospel truths most little kids can understand and words that help communicate those truths.
Let the fur start flying.
Can little kids understand the gospel?
The gospel comes to us in words and is built on abstract concepts like atonement for sin—and young kids aren’t capable of much abstract thinking. Also, the gospel in the Old Testament is revealed largely in shadowy previews, and young kids struggle to understand those. So my answer is: no, little kids aren’t mature enough to understand the gospel very thoroughly.
But then again, neither are any of us.
The good news of who Jesus is and all he’s done to save us is so rich, runs so deep, that most of us comprehend just a fraction of it. A lifetime is barely enough to unearth a few nuggets of the full treasure. Besides, due to sin all of us have minds that remain clouded and unable to grasp many glories.
Still, we eagerly learn as much as we’re able. There’s an inherent clarity to the Word of God, and for us the Spirit uses it to produce an appreciation of Jesus and a trust in him sufficient for the understanding we have. It’s the same with kids—even the littlest ones. They’re able to learn far less about the gospel then an adult can, but still we teach them what they can understand. We get them started on that lifetime of getting to know Jesus.
The full response is linked below. In spite of answering no, I end up giving several examples of gospel truths most little kids can understand and words that help communicate those truths.
Let the fur start flying.
Can little kids understand the gospel?
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