Issue link: https://discover.cph.org/i/1187630
WHO IS GOD? Infants and toddlers can learn that God created everything and made it good because God is good. Toddlers can repeat that Jesus is God and that Jesus loves them. Show God's love by taking care of them, loving them, praying, and reading God's Word together. Remind them that God loves the whole world and that He made each of us in our own special way. Faith Questions WHERE IS GOD? HOW DO I INTERACT WITH HIM? Toddlers learn that God is pres- ent everywhere: both in heaven and here on earth with them. They can talk to God through their prayers and listen to Him when a parent or loved one reads the Bible to them. Toddlers can recognize God's promise to be with them when they witness a Baptism or when they receive a blessing during Holy Com- munion. WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR US? Infants and toddlers can identify that bad things happen in the world because of sin. They also learn that God saved His people by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross and come back to life. Share with toddlers and infants that God sent Jesus to the cross to save the whole world and all the people in it because God is good and God is love. HOW DOES GOD WORK THROUGH THE CHURCH? When parents bring their infants and toddlers to worship, God works through the Word, songs, and other believers to strengthen faith. Infants and toddlers study everything they see, so parents act as examples and model godly living. Family and friends serve by offering childcare, teaching Sunday School, feeding, snuggling, and loving the children in their care. WHO AM I? WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? Infants and toddlers are created and beloved chil- dren of God with a special responsibil- ity to love and receive love from other people. Toddlers can understand that neighbors are all the people around them in the world. When a neighbor needs something, God says that toddlers get to help and love those people. HOW DOES GOD WORK THROUGH PEOPLE? Young ones have a unique vocation of needing to be cared for, and therefore provide opportunities for parents to practice sacrificial love as they care for their children. As infants and toddlers share their joy in response, that is God at work through them. Toddlers learn to fulfill the vocation of being in a family by helping, loving, and listening. "Young ones have a unique vocation of needing to be cared for." Infants & Toddlers • 3 • cph.org • Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House