Teaching Children the Attributes of God

Those who know Your name put their trust in You. — Psalm 9:10

Not long ago I asked my children (ages 7 & 4) to share what words come to mind when they think about God. The little one immediately said, “LOVE!” and the big one replied, “That’s what I was going to say!” Although I was thrilled that love is the first trait they think of when talking about God, I probed further, wondering if they could recall more of our God’s good character. They were stumped, looking for descriptive words to describe the Father they are only beginning to understand.

As they grow in relationship with God, children need to get to know him. So I took the opportunity to intentionally share powerful words with my kids that characterize the God I want them to know intimately.

When teaching our children about God and other areas of faith, we like to use simple language they can remember. Including a key concept, Bible verse and question has become an effective method for engaging in faith conversations in our home.

Try this method to teach your children these 10 attributes of God at the dinner table or during drive time. It’s a simple way to get your kids acquainted with the amazing God who wants to live in relationship with them.

10 Attributes of God our Kids Need to Know

God is…

Holy One

Kadosh (kah-DOESH)

Key Concept: God is set apart, above all creation. Because He is perfect, He is worthy of our respect and awe.

Key Verse:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of heaven’s armies. His glory fills the whole earth. — Isaiah 6:3

Key Question: What does it mean to respect God? What does it look like to be in awe of God?

Love

Key Concept: Love is God’s greatest attribute. His love is the foundation of our relationship with Him and with others. We love because God first loved us.

Key Verse:

And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in Him. — 1 John 4:16

Key Question: What is one way we can show God’s love to others?

Faithful

Key Concept: God is always there for us and He always keeps His promises. We can rely on God; He is worthy of our trust.

Key Verse:

If we are not faithful, He will still be faithful, because He must be true to who He is. — 2 Timothy 2:13

Key Question: Can you think of a time God was faithful to you or our family?

Good

Key Concept: Our God is a good God who gives good gifts to His children. When we look for His goodness in the world around us, we will find it!

Key Verse:

How great is Your goodness! You have stored it up for those who fear You. You do good things for those who trust You. — Psalm 31:19

Key Question: What is one good gift God has given you?

Wise

Key Concept: God knows everything! He knows the right choice in every situation. When we ask God for wisdom, He will show us what we need to know.

Key Verse:

And in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept. — Colossians 2:3

Key Question: Can you remember a time you needed the wisdom of God to make a decision?

Grace

Key Concept: Grace is God’s free gift to us. It’s His goodness and love offered to us even when we don’t deserve it.

Key Verse:

Let us, then, feel free to come before God’s throne. Here there is grace. And we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. — Hebrews 4:16

Key Question: How does it make you feel to know that God’s grace is available to us whenever we need it?

Friend

Key Concept: God loves us so much and He wants to be in relationship with us. He wants to be our friend, walking closely with us every day of our lives.

Key Verse:

I don’t call you servants now…. I call you friends… — John 15:15

Key Question: What do you think it looks like to be God’s friend?

Healer

Jehovah Rophe (jeh-HO-vuh roe-FEH)

Key Concept: God has the power to heal our hearts and our bodies. He cares for our emotional and physical well-being. When we pray and ask Him to help us, we can be sure He hears and He heals.

Key Verse:

My whole being, praise the Lord. Do not forget all His kindnesses. The Lord forgives me for all my sins. He heals all my diseases… He satisfies me with good things. — Psalm 103:2-5

Key Question: Talk about a time God healed you or someone in our family.

Comforter

El Nehkumah (EL neh-ku-MAH)

Key Concept: God offers us comfort in the midst of every circumstance. When we acknowledge that God is near, we feel His love wrap around us with peace and protection.

Key Verse:

He comforts us every time we have trouble, so that we can comfort others when they have trouble. We can comfort them with the same comfort that God gives us. — 2 Corinthians 1:4

Key Question: Can you recall a time when God comforted you?

Shepherd

Jehovah Roi (jeh-HO-vuh roe-EE)

Key Concept: The Lord is our shepherd, our guide. He takes care of us as He leads us through our lives.

Key Verse:

The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need. — Psalm 23:1

Key Question: What do you think it means to be led or guided by God?

The God we serve is a loving, powerful, ever-present, never-changing Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. As I help my children get to know Him, I hope to get reacquainted myself with the beauty of His character. The renewal of our own faith as we plant seeds in the soil of the hearts of our children is one of the greatest gifts we receive as parents; an example of God’s overflowing goodness.

The new book, I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God, by Diane Stortz reveals 40 of the Bible’s many names and attributes of God through Bible stories, devotions, and prayers. The names of God singled out in this post are just a few of the ones that Diane Stortz teaches about so beautifully in this book.

Free Printable: The 10 Attributes of God

Download this FREE printable to use as a daily reminder of who God is!

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Your Turn

What attributes of God have you been teaching to your children? What words or verses have you used to share the wonderful character of God with your family? Join the conversation on our blog!