Analogies and Examples for Teaching Complex Theology to Children
Teaching complex theological concepts to children often involves the use of analogies and examples to make abstract ideas more accessible. The Bible itself emphasizes the importance of instructing children in the ways of God, with passages encouraging parents to teach their children diligently [7] and to pass down knowledge of God's works and commands to future generations [2].
One common approach is to simplify complex doctrines into relatable terms. For instance, the concept of the Trinity, which describes God as three persons in one being, is frequently illustrated with analogies such as water existing as liquid, ice, and steam, or an apple having skin, flesh, and seeds. While these analogies are imperfect and can lead to modalist or partialist heresies if not carefully explained, they serve as starting points for understanding multiplicity within unity.
Another method involves drawing parallels between spiritual truths and everyday experiences. Jesus himself used "earthly things" to explain "heavenly things," suggesting that familiar concepts can illuminate deeper spiritual realities [4]. For example, the idea of spiritual growth from immaturity to maturity is likened to a child's development into adulthood [5, 6]. Just as a child learns to speak and understand more clearly over time, believers are encouraged to move beyond basic teachings to a fuller understanding of Christ [5, 6].
The Bible also presents children as examples in certain contexts. Jesus taught that one must receive the kingdom of God like a child, emphasizing humility and trust [1]. However, believers are also cautioned not to be "children in understanding," implying a need for spiritual discernment and growth beyond childish naivety [3]. This distinction highlights that while certain childlike qualities are commendable, intellectual and spiritual maturity is also a goal [3, 6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Joel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Joel 1:3: Tell ye your children--in order that they may be admonished by the severity of the punishment to fear God (Psa 78:6-8; compare Exo 13:8; Jos 4:7).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:19: Brethren, be not children in understanding,.... There are some things in children in which it is reproachful for believers to be like them; as nonproficiency in knowledge, want of capacity to receive, bear, and digest strong meat; levity, fickleness, and inconstancy, unskilfulness in the word, deficiency of knowledge, want of understanding, not of things natural, but spiritual and evangelical; which is the more aggravated, since their understandings were opened and enlightened; an understanding was given them; the Spirit of God, as a spirit of understanding, w”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 3:12: If I have told you earthly things - If, after I have illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and after all you believe not; how can you believe, should I tell you of heavenly things, in such language as angels use, where earthly images and illustrations can have no place? Or, if you, a teacher in Israel, do not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, or custom of the kingdom established over the Jewish nation, as being born of baptism, practised every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will you understand such ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13:10: When I was a child I spake as a child,.... That cannot speak plain, aims at words rather than expresses them, delivers them in a lisping or stammering manner: hereby the apostle illustrates the then present gift of speaking with divers tongues, which was an extraordinary gift of the Spirit, was peculiar to some persons, and what many were very fond of; and yet this, in its highest degree and exercise, was but like the lisping of a child, in comparison of what will be known and expressed by saints, when they come to be perfect men in heaven: I understood as a”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 8 (introduction): Moses had charged parents in teaching their children to whet the word of God upon them (Deu 6:7) by frequent repetition of the same things over and over again; and here he himself takes the same method of instructing the Israelites as his children, frequently inculcating the same precepts and cautions, with the same motives or arguments to enforce them, that what they heard so often might abide with them. In this chapter Moses gives them, I. General exhortations to obedience (Deu 8:1, Deu 8:6). II. A review of the great things God had done for the”