God exists as three persons, yet He is one being. Each person-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- has a separate identity while enjoying the same essence of nature as the others, not merely similar natures in different roles. -Josh McDowell from book The Unshakable Truth
The Bible is full of mysteries. Things happen that we can’t quite explain. How did the burning bush not burn up? How did the Red Sea part to allow the Israelites to pass through? Was there really a wall of water or was it just a drought? How can a person be born again when they no longer fit into their mother’s womb? What kind of fish and bread can multiply to feed 5, 000 men plus women and children? How is someone raised from the dead? What is a Spirit and how is it living inside of me?
Miracles and mysteries flood the Bible, leaving us with a sense of awe and wonder. Questions surface, some answered and some unanswered. Scripture should excite us and bring us back to want to learn more, to dive deeper, to gain greater understanding. At times however, it can leave us with questions and doubts.
Relationship
It is important that we never stop learning. There is always more to learn and more to explore. It is important that we dedicate time and effort into spending time in the Bible. God desires relationship with us. He wants to get to know you and He wants us to get to know Him. Life, well, life is hard. We were never made to do it alone. We need community, connection and support. God is all about relationship. He is constantly in relationship with Himself. God is one God but 3 distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is yet another mystery of the Bible that we can not fully comprehend. How can something be three, yet one?
In today’s Family Conversation we have put together a way to start the conversation about the Trinity with your child. This one might be best for upper elementary and older. When we discussed this topic as a family, our second grader was a little lost. He seemed to be good with just knowing there are three persons- God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And that is okay! We still have time to dive deeper with him as he gets older.
Exploration
Two things to note that are especially true with this particular topic. It is okay to not fully understand it ourselves. God desires that our curiosity would bring us to Him. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you talk with your child. This family conversation is meant to lead you all on a journey of exploring together. Read the Scriptures together and discuss what you think they mean.
Second, it is okay to never completely understand it. God is really beyond our comprehension. There is nothing on earth that is a perfect example of what the Trinity actually is, so it is okay to not quite get it. There are some things that we won’t fully understand until we get to heaven. In Hebrews it reminds us that, “Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”- (11:1) and “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (11:6) Sometimes we just have to believe that something is true even when our logical brain can’t explain it. This is easier to do the more you know God and experience Him.
Let’s get started today. Check out this Family Conversation: Trinity to get started.
My Prayer for Your Time:
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen! – Ephesians 3:14-21
