The Value of Kids Knowing God (Not Just Knowing About God) 

By: Rachel Riquelme 

Back in the nineties, I was completely obsessed with a certain boy band. I knew everything about this group—their favorite colors, foods, and random fun facts most people wouldn’t care about. I had the t-shirts, the CDs, the books—you name it! In my mind, I knew  them. But here’s the truth: I didn’t. I had never even met them. 

Unfortunately, it can be easy to slip into the same thing with God. We can learn about Him, read stories, maybe even memorize Bible verses—and still never actually know God personally. 

John 17:3 says, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ.” This Bible verse does not tell us to know about God, but to know God. 

God doesn’t invite us to know facts about Him—He invites us into personal relationship with Him. He wants us to truly know Him and experience His goodness. He is knowable, available, and He cares for us.  

Knowing God Through the Gospel 
In ministry, we can lift the gospel high. We want to clearly and consistently show preschoolers and kids how they can have a real relationship with God. 

Through Jesus, we can be forgiven. We can have a restored relationship with God. He loves us so much that He forgives our sin and offers us the opportunity to know Him and grow in our relationship with Him.  

In the hustle and bustle of weekly ministry, it’s easy to move from one activity to the next without pausing, but some of the most powerful moments happen when we slow down for gospel conversations. Look for those moments. Make prayer a daily rhythm, asking God to soften the hearts of the kids you serve, so they not only know about Him, but truly come to know Him. 

Rhythms of Faith 
As we lead kids, we have the opportunity to guide them through meaningful rhythms of faith. We pray together and dig into the Bible. We learn Bible verses and talk about how God is at work in His world and through His people. 

When kids open the Bible, they see God’s character. As they memorize Scripture, they take God’s Word with them wherever they go. As they pray, they talk with the God who loves them. These are building blocks of spiritual disciplines. 

But here’s the key: the disciplines themselves are not the finish line. The goal isn’t to say, I read my Bible today or I memorized a verse this week. The goal is to know God more deeply and to walk closer with Him. 

Ask yourself, How am I helping kids truly know God? Knowing God only happens when kids move from learning facts about God to experiencing a relationship and life with Him. 

Rachel Riquelme is the Preschool Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Lifeway’s NextGen resource, Hyfi. With an MA in Discipleship and a ThM, she has a passion for building resilient disciples who have strong faith to last a lifetime. She has spent the last 15 years in Kids, Preschool, and Family Ministry and lives in Murray, KY. Rachel loves reading, biking, and spending time with her husband and two sons.