Christianity for kids Learn about religion

Christianity is a religion that began about 2,000 years ago in the Middle East. It started with the life and teachings of a man called Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is very special — the Son of God — who came to Earth to show people how much God loves them.

Jesus taught people to be kind, forgive others, and care for those in need. He told stories called parables to help explain his teachings, like The Good Samaritan and The Lost Sheep.

Christians believe that when Jesus died, God brought him back to life again. This event is called the Resurrection, and it’s the reason Easter is such an important celebration. They believe that if they follow Jesus and his example, they will be with God forever in heaven after they die.

What is the symbol of Christianity?

The most famous symbol of Christianity is the cross. This is because Jesus died on a cross, which was a very sad moment, but it’s also very important. Christians believe that Jesus chose to die because he loved everyone so much.

The amazing part of the story is that three days later, something incredible happened — Jesus came back to life! This is called the Resurrection, and it’s why the cross is not just a sad symbol but also one of hope, new life, and love.

Today, you will see crosses in churches, on jewellery, and even on some national flags (like the Union Jack in the UK!). For Christians, every time they see a cross, it reminds them that Jesus is alive and that love is stronger than death.

Other Christian symbols

The Dove – often shown carrying an olive branch, it represents peace and the Holy Spirit.
The Lamb – a symbol of Jesus, sometimes called the “Lamb of God,” reminding Christians of sacrifice and love.
Bread and Wine – used in a special service called Holy Communion, these remind Christians of Jesus’ last meal with his friends, known as the Last Supper.
The Ichthus (Fish) – one of the very first Christian symbols, standing for the words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.”

Christian beliefs

Christianity is a monotheistic religion, which means Christians believe in just one God. They believe God is everywhere, knows everything, and loves every single person.

The Trinity

Christians believe that God is three in one, called the Trinity:

God the Father – the creator of the world.
God the Son (Jesus) – who came to Earth to show God’s love.
God the Holy Spirit – God’s power and presence that helps people every day.

The Trinity can be tricky to understand, but Christians often explain it like water – which can be ice, liquid, or steam, but it’s still all water.

Love and forgiveness

Jesus taught that the most important rules are to love God and to love your neighbour (meaning everyone around you!). It’s important to help people in need – whether it’s through charity, giving food to the hungry, or showing kindness to a friend. Churches often collect food for the hungry, raise money for charities, or support people in their local communities.

Christians believe in forgiveness – saying sorry when they do something wrong and forgiving others too. They believe God always forgives if people are truly sorry.

One of Jesus’ disciples asked him, “How many times should I forgive someone?” and Jesus replied “seventy times seven!” – meaning don’t stop forgiving.

How do Christians worship?

Christians usually worship together in a special building called a church. Inside a church you might see a cross, candles, stained glass windows, and sometimes even a tall tower with a bell.

Most Christians gather to worship on Sundays, which they believe is a special day. During a church service, people come together to:

Sing hymns (special songs to praise God).
Pray – talking to God, thanking Him, asking for help, or saying sorry.
Listen to the Bible being read aloud.
Hear a sermon – when the vicar, priest, or minister explains what the Bible teaches and how it can help in everyday life.
Share in Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist) – eating bread and drinking wine (or juice) to remember the Last Supper of Jesus.

Christians usually dress smartly and behave quietly and respectfully in church. Some may kneel, stand, or close their eyes when praying to help them focus.

Why do Christians go to church on a Sunday?

Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday morning. Because of this, Sunday became the most important day of the week for worship. It’s sometimes called the Lord’s Day.

What is prayer?

Prayer is a very important part of Christian worship. Christians believe that prayer is a way of talking to God. They can pray anywhere – at church, at home, at school, or even quietly in their own hearts.

Prayers can be for many reasons:

To say thank you (for family, food, the world).
To say sorry if they have done something wrong.
To ask for help for themselves or others.
To praise God and show love.

Many Christians use special prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus taught his friends.

At the end of a prayer, Christians often say “Amen”, which means “let it be so” or “I agree”. It’s a way of showing that everyone is joining in together and agreeing with the prayer that has just been spoken.

Some Christians light a candle when they pray, as a symbol of bringing light and hope into the world.
In many countries, church bells are rung on Sunday mornings to remind people it’s time to worship.
In some churches, people worship with clapping, dancing, and lively music, while in others it is very quiet and peaceful. Both are seen as ways to show love to God.

Christianity for kids
Celebrations, sacred spaces, basic beliefs and resources on Christianity.

Bitesize: What is Christianity
What is Christianity and Christian life.

Christian ceremonies

Baptisms, weddings and funerals are special church ceremonies that mark important moments in a Christian’s life – being born, getting married, and when someone dies.

Baptism

Baptism is a very special ceremony that marks the beginning of someone’s journey as a Christian. It shows that the person has joined the Christian Church and has started a new life with Jesus.

For babies, baptism often takes place in a church. The vicar or priest makes the shape of a cross with water on the baby’s forehead, which is a symbol of being washed clean and starting fresh with God. Parents and godparents make promises to help the child grow up in the Christian faith.

Older children or adults can also be baptised, often by being dipped into a pool of water. This shows a new beginning and their decision to follow Jesus.

Later on, many Christians choose to have another special service called Confirmation when they are teenagers or young adults. This is when they make their own promises to follow Jesus, and it marks the step from childhood to adulthood in the church.

Weddings

A Christian wedding is a celebration of two people choosing to spend their lives together in love and faithfulness. Weddings often take place in a church because couples want to make their promises to each other in front of God, their family, and their friends.

During the service, hymns are sung, prayers are said, and the couple exchange rings as a symbol of their love. The vicar or priest blesses them and asks God to help them in their marriage.

After the ceremony, there is usually a joyful celebration with food, music, dancing, and lots of happiness!

Funeral services

A funeral is a service that takes place when a Christian dies. It is a time for family and friends to gather together to say goodbye, to remember the person’s life, and to give thanks for them.

Christians believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life with God in heaven. Because of this, funerals are often both sad and hopeful at the same time. Hymns are sung, prayers are said, and Bible readings remind everyone of God’s love and the promise of eternal life.

The Bible is the most important and special holy book for Christians. It is a bit like a big guidebook for life. It teaches Christians about God, Jesus, and the people who followed them, and it helps them to learn how to live in a good and loving way.

The Bible is full of exciting stories, songs, poems, and wise sayings. Some stories tell about the very beginning of the world, others about brave people who trusted in God, and many about the life and teachings of Jesus. The Bible also has parables, which are special stories Jesus told to help people understand more about God’s love. For example, The Good Samaritan teaches kindness to everyone, and The Prodigal Son shows that God always forgives.

The book has two main parts:

The Old Testament is the history of the Jews before Jesus was born.
The New Testament is about the life of Jesus, the things He taught and the good things He did.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is the most important person in Christianity. Christians believe that he is the Son of God, who came to Earth over 2,000 years ago to teach people about God’s love.

Jesus was born in a town called Bethlehem. His birth is celebrated every year at Christmas. He grew up in a place called Nazareth and worked as a carpenter before he began teaching people about God.

When he was about 30 years old, Jesus began his ministry (his special work). He travelled from town to town with his friends, called the disciples, sharing his message of kindness, forgiveness, and peace.

Jesus taught people to:

Love God and love your neighbour (care for others).
Forgive people, even if they have done something wrong.
Help the poor, the sick, and the lonely.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

The miracles of Jesus

Christians believe that Jesus did many amazing things, called miracles. These showed God’s power and love. Some of the most famous miracles that can be read in the bible include:

Healing sick people.
Calming a storm on the sea.
Feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish.
Walking on water.
Bringing his friend Lazarus back to life.

Easter - The death and resurrection of Jesus

Easter is the most important festival for Christians. It remembers when Jesus died on the cross and came back to life.

When Jesus was about 30, he travelled around teaching about God’s love, forgiveness, and kindness. But some religious leaders and the Romans didn’t like what he was saying. Jesus was arrested and crucified (nailed to a cross) in Jerusalem.

Christians believe that three days later, something amazing happened: Jesus rose from the dead! This is called the Resurrection, and it gives Christians hope of eternal life with God.

Easter is celebrated on different days during Holy Week:

Good Friday – the day Jesus died on the cross.
Holy Saturday – a day of waiting; some churches light a special candle called the Paschal Candle.
Easter Sunday – a joyful day celebrating that Jesus rose from the dead.

Christians often give Easter eggs as a sign of new life. The egg is a reminder of Jesus rising again and the hope of new life for everyone who follows him.

Harvest Festival - Giving thanks

Harvest Festival is when Christians give thanks to God for food and for all the good things of the earth. In many churches, people bring fruit, vegetables, and tinned food to be shared with those in need. This usually takes place in September/October time. Food is gathered and the church is decorated with food.

It’s a time to remember that not everyone has enough to eat, so Christians try to help others. After the church service, the food is handed to people in need.

Other Festivals

Pentecost - Often called the “birthday of the Church”. It happened 50 days after Easter, when Christians believe that the Holy Spirit came down to Jesus’ friends (the disciples).

The Bible says there was a sound like a rushing wind, and flames appeared above their heads. Suddenly, they were filled with courage and could speak in different languages so they could tell people everywhere about Jesus.

Advent – The time when Christians get ready for Christmas. It lasts for the four Sundays before Christmas Day.

During Advent, churches often have a special candle wreath with 4 or 5 candles. One candle is lit each Sunday, and the final candle (the white one) is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Lent - A season that lasts for 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays). It is a time when Christians remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, praying and fasting (going without food) before he started his ministry.

Many Christians give something up during Lent (like sweets or TV time) or take up something good (like helping others more). This helps them think about Jesus and focus on God.