Explaining the Devil to a Kid (incarnation, punishment, believe, sin)

[Hoosier]

For all you Sunday School teachers out there I could use your help. I was talking to my son one day and brought up the devil. He wasn't so sure what the devil was so I began explaining to him. He was intrigued and over the past few weeks he'll bring up the topic. He wants to know more and understand what the devil is. Can you help me explain the devil from a biblical persepctive?

All atheists and non-believers in the devil need not respond. If you don't believe he exists...keep on moving and please don't reply.

I need advice from a Christian worldview...people who believe the devil exists.

[mshipmate]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

For all you Sunday School teachers out there I could use your help. I was talking to my son one day and brought up the devil. He wasn't so sure what the devil was so I began explaining to him. He was intrigued and over the past few weeks he'll bring up the topic. He wants to know more and understand what the devil is. Can you help me explain the devil from a biblical persepctive?

All atheists and non-believers in the devil need not respond. If you don't believe he exists...keep on moving and please don't reply.

I need advice from a Christian worldview...people who believe the devil exists.

Of course it would depend on the age of a child, but I would tell him the devil was once a good angel that became full of pride and decided he wanted to be worshipped as God. He then rebelled against God taking 1/3 of the angels with him. I would tell him satan hates anything to do with God and loves to make people sin. (depending on the age of your son you could explain what sin is). I would tell him that that's why Jesus died on the cross to destroy the works of the devil and that through Jesus' Name we have victory over satan. I would tell him that satan even tried to tempt Jesus Himself when He was here on the earth, and Jesus always answered him back with, "It is written." I would finish by telling him that Jesus is coming again and will eventually throw satan into the lake of fire so he will no longer be around to cause problems.

Adjust these things as to your sons age and understanding of course.

[twin.spin]

Depending on the age of your son, I would watch a t.v. documentry on animal planet about lions.
Then say that is comparible to the devil.

1 Peter 5:8
...... Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

I would point out he isn't some cute red guy with horns who is considerate. He never tells the truth. He misquotes God, is very real, and wants to harm the most precious thing God has created...you (your son).

Finally, point out that the devil can absolutly do no harm because of one little word...JESUS!

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

For all you Sunday School teachers out there I could use your help. I was talking to my son one day and brought up the devil. He wasn't so sure what the devil was so I began explaining to him. He was intrigued and over the past few weeks he'll bring up the topic. He wants to know more and understand what the devil is. Can you help me explain the devil from a biblical persepctive?

All atheists and non-believers in the devil need not respond. If you don't believe he exists...keep on moving and please don't reply.

I need advice from a Christian worldview...people who believe the devil exists.

The way I would explain the Devil is to say that he was one of God's children who rebelled against his Father before the world began. For this, he was cast out of Heaven and forever forfeited a chance to have the blessings his Father would have otherwise granted him. His rebelliousness led to his punishment and his punishment led to his attempted revenge. His purpose now is to keep as many of us as possible from returning to our Father in Heaven's presence. He will do anything possible to encourage us to follow him instead. He is clever and deceitful, but we have the choice whether to follow him or not.

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

For all you Sunday School teachers out there I could use your help. I was talking to my son one day and brought up the devil. He wasn't so sure what the devil was so I began explaining to him. He was intrigued and over the past few weeks he'll bring up the topic. He wants to know more and understand what the devil is. Can you help me explain the devil from a biblical persepctive?

All atheists and non-believers in the devil need not respond. If you don't believe he exists...keep on moving and please don't reply.

I need advice from a Christian worldview...people who believe the devil exists.

Well the Sunday school songs about him helped me understand.
"Satan is a sly old fox
if I catch him
I'll put him in a box
lock the box and throw away the key
for all the things he's done to me"

(1 Peter 5:8) "8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to" devour.

Just tell him the story of Satan from beginning to end; the rise and fall of Lucifer. Children are smart, he will get it.

[little elmer]

Explaining the origin and role of Satan in light of God's wisdom, sovereignty and perfection of design is a difficult theological hurdle for any age, but a child could possibly accept things that the analytical mind cannot.

I think I would tell the kid that God made him the way he is, and let him filter it.

[Goodpasture]

Show him Witches Invitation by Carman


YouTube - carman's witch invitation

[Jackyfrost01]

I would tell the child its an incarnation of evil and temptation in the views of your faith. How old is the child?

[TravisW]

I'd start with stories from the Bible which may be familiar---Adam and Eve, Job, Jesus in the Wilderness, before starting to get into the whole "origin story" with the fall from Heaven, demons, etc...which can get a bit too "halloween-y" for little kids.

What do we know that the Devil does?

Here are a couple to start with:
He lies to us
He tempts us to do bad things

Then you can always throw in: "resist the Devil, and he will flee from you".

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by Jackyfrost01

I would tell the child its an incarnation of evil and temptation in the views of your faith. How old is the child?

He just turned six years old. It was actually quite funny because his mom was gone on business this last week and that's when the topic really surfaced. He turned to his mom and asked what she knew about the devil. Not knowing what I'd told him she said she didn't know much and wanted to hear what he had to say. His answer, "wow mom, does dad have a story for you!" He then proceeded to tell me that I had to tell mom about the devil too.