Who is God?
Who is God?
How do children understand God? And how can we talk with them about God in ways that are simple, honest, and true?
Our free online short course, Who Is God?, invites adults who care for children into this sacred conversation. Through short videos, reflections, children’s artwork, and the words of children, the course offers windows into how children experience and understand God. (And the whole thing takes less than one hour!)
One of the great gifts of observing and listening carefully to children is discovering that they are already in relationship with God. Children often recognize and embrace aspects of God’s love and presence that resonate deeply with their own experiences of joy, beauty, wonder, and belonging.
Parents do not need to worry about having all the answers, but to simply nurture that relationship and make space for it to grow.
God has a dream for your child and for you.
We hope this course—with free downloads, book recommendations, videos, and stories—will inspire you to wonder, listen, and explore alongside the children in your life.
Find the free Who Is God? course here.
Family Celebration: Smiling with Jesus
Five-year-old Joseph drew a simple cross, encircled in bright yellow light. Jesus is drawn on the cross, his arms outstretched, and his face smiling.
When asked about his drawing, Joseph explained:
“That’s when Jesus died.”
“That’s when Jesus rose.”
One striking aspect of the drawing is that Jesus does not appear sad, suffering, or defeated. Instead, his face is smiling and the cross is surrounded by light and joy.
Catherine Maresca, the founder of the Center for Children & Theology, reflects on this in the “Who is God?” course. Over many years of carefully observing young children in the atrium, she noticed that children under six often speak of Jesus as joyful, welcoming, full of light, and alive. They naturally hold together the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, seeing the promise and joy of the cross.
In Who is God?, we have an opportunity to reflect on these insights and more. The drawings and reflections from children invite us to ponder: what might we learn about God when we listen carefully to children?
Family Prayer: Art as Prayer
Open-ended art, created without a model or example to copy, gives children (and adults!) space to wonder.
When we offer clay, blank paper, and simple materials like colored pencils, crayons, or watercolors, we invite children into open-ended creativity. Instead of following step-by-step instructions to produce a specific result, they are free to explore, imagine, and discover. This kind of art honors each child’s unique way of seeing the world, creating space for ideas, stories, and even spiritual insights to emerge naturally through the creative process.
This summer, try to set aside some time to use open-ended art to reflect on the love of God. You can start by reading a passage from scripture, like the Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:3-5, 11-16).
Or sing a song that shares God’s love. Try “Be Still and Know I Am God” or “I See the Love of God” from our recordings of Songs for Atrium Children. The songs are easy to sing and theologically grounded for the developmental needs of young children.
Bring out a tray with art materials and allow time to explore. When finished, resist the urge to evaluate or praise the artwork. Instead, invite conversation, asking questions like:
- Would you like to tell me about your artwork?
- What am I seeing?
- Are there feelings you are trying to show in this picture?
When we honor art as prayer, we make room for children to respond to God in ways that are authentic to them. And we give ourselves the gift of seeing through their eyes.
Find out more about children’s art as prayer in our free course, Who is God?
Grace Space Shelf
Picture books can be a wonderful way for parents and kids to wonder about God together. Look for these books at your library or local bookstore, or if you purchase using these links, we will get a small percentage. Thank you for supporting our work!
The Seed of God
By: Genelda Woggon
Illustrator: Alicia Jewell
$25.00
Ages 3+
This bilingual five-book set from Center for Children & Theology introduces young children to the heart of the Gospel message through simple language and gentle illustrations. Small enough for little hands, these beloved books invite children to wonder about God’s love, presence, and care for all people and creation.
What is God Like?
By: Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner
Illustrator: Ying Hui Tan
$9.68
Ages 3+
God is like a shepherd, God is like a star, God is like a gardener, God is like the wind! God is a comforter and support. This book of reflections from the late Rachel Held Evans was fully realized by her friend Matthew Paul Turner and encourages children to think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel loved, and what makes you feel brave. That’s what God is like.
In God’s Name
By: Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrator: Phoebe Stone
$11.97
Ages 4+
Names tell us something about who someone is. This beautiful book explores many of the names for God: Shepherd, Creator, Light, Father, and more. It celebrates the diversity of people, their relationship to God, and the richness of God’s love.
Grace Space Families is a project of the Center for Children & Theology. These resources are made possible through the generosity of our community. Please consider making a gift to the Center for Children & Theology to support our ongoing efforts to learn from and share the insights of children.