How Would You Explain The Trinity to a Five-Year-Old?

The word “Trinity” is not found in the pages of Scripture. However, the doctrine of the Trinity— the doctrine that God is Triune in nature, that God is three persons in one essence (one “Be-ing” [Exo 3:14])—is very clearly taught in the New Testament (and there are indications of that truth in the Old Testament). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the three persons; each person is equal in deity (“god-ness”)—each person is equal in eternality, omniscience, omnipotence, and all the other attributes of God. This is a difficult concept for people of any age to grasp—be they five or fifty years old. Because of this we must diligently study what the Scripture says to understand it for ourselves and think creatively about how to communicate such a lofty and mysterious doctrine to our children. Whether we find ourselves parenting our own children, teaching children Sunday school, or being a small group leader, we should strive to understand this amazing and profound truth so that we might teach it as well as we are able, in simple terms, to our youngest children.

What is the Trinity? The term Trinity “refers to the three-one-ness of God; he is one God (in his essence, being) who eternally exists three persons (in his subsistence or relations). This doctrine affirms that each person (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is fully God—each is equal in nature having all attributes of deity. In speaking theologically of the persons, the Father is called the first person, the Son the second person, and the Holy Spirit the third person; this does not imply that the Son and Spirit are lesser in their being because all three persons are fully God—one in essence. The one divine essence is distinguished by eternal relationships (paternity / Father, generation / Son, procession / Spirit) and by different roles in the outworking (the economy) of God’s purposes in the created realm. Although the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible the doctrine certainly is.”(Adventure Club: The Truth About Man, Sin, and Salvation, page 243.)

The truth that God is Triune in nature is found in the Bible in numerous places in the New Testament. Jesus claimed to be God yet referred to doing the works of his Father (John 8:24,28,10:31–38). In addition to this, the New Testament also refers to the Holy Spirit as also being God. In Acts 5:1–14 we read that when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit (v3) they lied to God (v4). It is important to note that God is the only being that has three persons existing in one essence, and as such he is completely unique—no other being is like him. Knowing these details about God should aid us in our worship and adoration of God, he is unlike any other and we should praise him for it. 

Since learning the definition and nature of God, how do we break this down for little ones to comprehend? Visual aids will be helpful in teaching them about God’s Trinitarian essence. 

First, play a song on your phone of a trio singing together, explain how they are three people with distinct voices but together they can harmonize beautifully. God is one with three persons, each part of the Trinity has a role and is equally God. 

Second, take two ribbons of equal length: cut one into thirds, keep one the whole length. Put the three parts in one pocket and the whole in another. Pull out the whole one and show it and put it back and do the same with the three parts. Explain that while the ribbons cannot be three and one at the same time, God is three-and-one at the same time.

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