Explaining the Trinity: A Child's Viewpoint

[Robin Hood]

I was explaining the mystery of the Trinity to Kate (9) and Bianca (9)this morning saying that although nothing quite explains it perfectly, it's sort of like water: ice, water, and vapor. Kate popped out of her chair and said, "I get it Mommy! It like raw apples, cooked apples, and apple pie. Three out of one." I am not very witty so I just grinned and said that I think she has it.

[momofkhm]

God the Father is the apple peel - He protects us.

God the Son is the apple flesh (white part) - He sustains us.

God the Spirit is the seeds - He is the one who plants the faith within us.

You have all three pieces to have a whole apple. Without one piece, you don't have a whole apple.

The book does it a lot better than this, a lot more on a kids level.

[Robin Hood]

I think Kate will enjoy this addition to her apple theory. That's very good.

[mommylaw]

That is a very cute story. I love how their little minds work.

I use St. Patrick's examples to teach my children. Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol to explain the Trinity to Unbelievers, i.e., how God is One God in Three Persons. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). Patrick would hold up a shamrock and challenge his hearers, "Is it one leaf or three?" "It is both one leaf and three," was their reply. "And so it is with God," he would conclude. "19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of Him from The Creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His Eternal Power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse"(Romans 1:19-20). Of course, doctrines such as the Trinity or the Divinity of Jesus Christ can only be received by willing hearts, who have committed themselves to obey whatever the Spirit reveals from the Scriptures. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine"(John 7:17). St. Patrick, no doubt, was careful not to confuse pagan idolaters with the idea of Polytheism, i.e., the false notion that there are many separate gods; but, his dependence upon the Holy Spirit to give him the illustration of the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity, gave him success in preaching the Gospel.

[JudoMom]

I think Kate will enjoy this addition to her apple theory. That's very good.

Very cute :001_smile:.

Here's a link to 3 in 1 (http://www.amazon.com/3-1-Picture-Joanne-Marxhausen/dp/075860680X) (the apple book).

[LG Gone Wild]

I was explaining the mystery of the Trinity to Kate (9) and Bianca (9)this morning saying that although nothing quite explains it perfectly, it's sort of like water: ice, water, and vapor. .

about Jesus's divinity as being sweet and salty. My son made the comment about Jesus being half man/half god. I corrected him. "Being half this and half that is more like a minatour", said I. "Jesus was man and god at the same time, like being sweet and salty". Well, I tried. :001_rolleyes:

[Carol in Cal.]

My 5th and 6th grade teacher told us that Jesus is 100% God AND 100% man. We protested at the time, but accepted this.

Now I have grown to really value this teaching.

It is one of those paradoxes that is cause for praise--that shows how much bigger than us God is; how cool He is; and how incompletely we can comprehend Him.