“God has big hands because the song says, ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands,'” says 9-year-old Kalen.

“God is very loving,” says 9-year-old Lauren. “I imagine he is very tall. I love him.”

Yes, God is loving, but he also “hates sin,” who is the “kindest man in the world,” says 10-year-old Justin. “I think he has a beard. He’s not that old. He lives in heaven. Jesus is his son.”

I’m not sure where people get the idea that God has a long flowing beard. Maybe it’s from seeing too many photos of Santa Claus.

“God is like a never-ending story that you want to read over and over again,” says 10-year-old Ashley. “When I hear about him, I want to know more. Even though I can’t see him, I feel him. He is perfect and pure. I know he has felt pain and suffered a lot to take away my sins.”

Some people read the Bible primarily as a history book. They believe that God acted in ancient times, but they believe that this was then and this is now. Ashley sees the whole story as “Her His Story” about him. For those who have eyes to see, God is as active now as he was in the lives of his people during biblical times.

Ashley, meet Ashley, who is also 10 years old. As God reveals himself to Ashley No. 1 as one continuous story, Ashley No. 2 is checking the weather: “God is like the wind. You can’t see him, but you know he’s there because you can see what he’s doing.” God is loving. He is like a gentle stream that does no harm to anyone. God loves us. He always loves us. He will always be with us. He is love”.

Wind and water are great analogies, but will someone turn on the lights? asks Molly, 9: “God is like a light that shines even brighter than the sun.”

Guess who keeps the lights on. “God is like an energy producer because he made the world and he is the giver of life,” says 12-year-old Tyler.

“God is like Jesus because God is Jesus,” says 10-year-old Caleb. “God is also like the Holy Spirit because he is also the Holy Spirit. God is also like the Bible because it teaches us about Him.”

Forgive me Caleb. What seminary did you say you would be teaching next year? Enroll me in your course on the Trinity.

“God is like an apple,” says 10-year-old Brandon. “Apples look good on the outside and on the inside.”

I never thought of God as an apple, but I like what Brandon said about the consistency of God. We have all been deceived by people who outwardly appear to be one thing, but on the inside are something else.

Duplicity is not part of God’s character. In the Psalms, “forever” is the word used to describe the name (reputation), the throne (power), and the word of God. In the New Testament, one of the most quoted Scriptures about Jesus points to his consistency: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

God wants us to know him as a faithful friend who we can trust in every situation. Often, he allows our choices and circumstances to push us beyond our own abilities and resources so that we turn to him for strength.

God is like a vine, and we are like branches. Apart from the vine, the branches cannot receive life. In this context, Jesus said: “…because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5c).

Point to reflect: My life has meaning only in dependence on God.

Scripture to Remember: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5a).

Questions to Consider: What is God like to you? Do you think of yourself as “something” apart from Him or as “something” in relation to Him? Where do you get your meaning from?