how do explain to a 5 year old why Jesus had to die?

Answer 1

Like all good explanations to young children - make it short, simple, accurate, and easy to understand.

"Jesus had to die so that you can live spiritually!"

If he asks why to that answer:

"GOD wants us all to be with him, and Jesus has made that possible for all of us!"

Answer 2

Most 5 year olds already understand that doing bad things have consequences. I told my son that all people did bad things, but instead of punishing us, Jesus took our punishment for us. So as long as we are really sorry for what we did, and don't do those things anymore, we can accept that Jesus made it right for us with God. 5 year olds are very understanding people :-)

Answer 3

Well, since the story goes that Jesus died for everyone's sins, even the sins of those not yet born, tell the five year old Jesus had to die because he or she didn't clean his or her room and eat his or her vegetables.

Answer 4

Let the children's Christian story books be enough at this age. I loved them and loved Jesus when I was little due to these. God Bless! Jesus Loves the little children!

Answer 5

Because people do bad things, and Jesus made sure that people could have a way to stop doing bad things. Jesus did it because He loves us.

Answer 6

Here is an idea:
Why not let him PLAY with his toys, eat cookies and watch Sponge Bob instead ... ????
There are just some things that a 5 year old does not need to know ....

Answer 7

why would you want to? and if you do, will you be giving him information on other religions too so that when he is old enough to evaluate this information he can make his own mind up. That is what I have always done with my children, told them about my own religion (paganism) and also about other religions. I have 2 older children one of whom is agnostic and the other is atheist, of my younger 2, my 10 year old son says he is pagan, but of course he is very young so may change his mine. My 14 year old daughter is looking into Buddhism, but whatever they choose (or not) is fine by me

Answer 8

A 5 year old childs brain is physically not developed enough to understand abstract concepts like religion, death etc.

Youd do well to avoid discussing such heavy subjects around the child.

If the child asks you, tell him or her that its something they will get to understand when they grow up.

Answer 9

How do you explain it to an adult? Trying to explain it to anyone is difficult because the truth can only be revealed to a person by God. There are people of great intellect who stumble over the death of Jesus because they cannot see their own sin. The bible says it is foolishness to the world, but it is the power of God to those who love Him.

Jesus was sentenced to death because of blasphemy. The Jewish law stated very clearly that anyone who claimed to be God must be put to death. When standing trial for this offense, Jesus said, "I am." Jesus was telling the truth, but no one believed Him. That is why He was crucified.

However, there is a deeper spiritual issue going on. Jesus had the power to save His own life. He could have easily called down legions of angels to help Him. Rather, Jesus gave His life on our behalf. Jesus died to pay the debt of sin. He died to make amends and atonement for sin. I guess the best way you can explain it is this way: Jesus had to die so that other people could live. He laid down His life in love. Imagine if your brother or sister came down with a really bad disease like liver cancer. The only way to save them was to give them a new liver. However, someone else would have to die to give up their liver so that their brother or sister could live. Jesus gave up His life so that other people could live forever with God. He made a sacrifice of love.

People are trapped spiritually under the slavery of sin. They are captives to evil. They are slaves because every time a person sins, they owe retribution. They have to pay for the evil they have committed. People have sinned against God, and so their debt is very large. It is so large that it is impossible for them to pay it. Jesus, who was rich with life, came to pay the debt. He traded His own life for the debt of sin. He suffered and died, so that others could have freedom. He paid the debt.

The awesome thing about it is that not only did Jesus pay the debt of our sin, He was also resurrected to new life. This means that through Him, we also can have new life. He died for our sins, and was raised for our justification.

The best way to explain this is to borrow an illustration from Zac Poonen. Let's say the water company comes and digs a big hole in your front yard to work on water lines. You tell your little child, "Don't play near that hole or you will get hurt." Your child goes out and plays anyway falling into the pit. The child then cries out for help, "Please help me." You come rushing out of the house. The child says, "Please forgive me." So, you say, "I forgive you." Then you walk away. Surely the child is forgiven, but the child has not been saved yet. The child is still in the pit. When you reach into the pit and pull the child out, then the child is saved.

Likewise, we need Jesus to pull us out of the pit of sin. That is why His resurrection is so important. Because Jesus lives, so will we live. When Christ has been raised in us, He is able to keep us free from sin.

I hope this helps in your conversation with your child.

Answer 10

Let the kid make his own decision about religions when he is ready and able to understand such things. Don't steer or coax him in the direction you "want" him to take. Thats not fair to him. At 5, he's not gonna really get it anyways.