In 1979 a movie entitled Jesus premiered in 250 theatres in the United States. In 1980 the movie began to be shown in other countries. In 1985 a ministry called “The Jesus Film Project” came into existence. By 1997 there had been a billion viewings of the movie, and it had been translated into 400 languages. Since that time, the number of viewings and translations has greatly multiplied, and it has been shown in every nation of the world.

In 1999 The Story of Jesus for Children was produced. Excerpts from the Jesus movie were used, and dramatizations using children were interspersed to make it into a presentation specially designed to convey the story of Jesus in a way that is enticing to children.

The Story of Jesus for Children movie begins with a boy’s voice in the background saying that it is “the true story of a man named Jesus.” The boy states that the children finding out about Jesus “might have happened something like this.”

The drama opens with four boys named Caleb, Joel, Nathan, and Benjamin meeting secretly and talking about some of Jesus’ miracles that have been witnessed. One of the boys makes it clear exactly what a miracle is. When young Sarah enters, she provides narration for a flashback of the circumstances of Jesus’ birth and of the beginning of His ministry. Her grandmother knew Mary, the mother of Jesus. Benjamin’s dad later becomes upset when he discovers that his son is going along with the son of one of their acquaintances in believing that this Jesus is the promised Messiah—the One chosen to save His people.

The children are present not only at some of Jesus’ miracles but at some of the events of the week preceding His crucifixion. Viewers are allowed to be present at the Last Supper. On the night that the Last Supper takes place, Benjamin overhears his dad saying that Jesus is about to be arrested. The arrest, the ridicule and abuse, and the trial of Jesus are shown.

The next morning the children get together. They see Pilate give permission to crucify Jesus, and they go up to the hill where Jesus is hung on the cross. Benjamin’s dad and mom are also present at the crucifixion. When they see Jesus’ attitude and the mid-day darkness that falls while He is on the cross, they are moved to believe. (The nailing of Jesus’ hands may be somewhat disturbing, but the film was edited in such a way that it did not make the scene of Jesus on the cross gory. I believe they have captured just enough unpleasantness to help children understand that Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice.)

The children are sad after Jesus’ death, but they remember Jesus saying He was going to be alive again. Viewers see the angel and the empty tomb, and they see the resurrected Jesus visit the disciples. Benjamin reviews the events they have witnessed surrounding Jesus since they came in contact with Him, and he states that he believes and wants to “live with Jesus now and forever.”

The movie closes with Sarah and Benjamin encouraging other children to invite Jesus into their lives or to talk to someone more about it. Benjamin recites a prayer that children could say if they are ready to receive salvation. Then he recites it again, after inviting children to join in if they are ready right then to receive Christ. Children who receive Christ are advised to read God’s Word, talk to God, tell others about Jesus, and spend time with others who “know and love God.”

At the end of my video the children watching are invited to join a “Mailbox Club” to receive lessons in the mail that will help them learn more about God. Children love to receive things in the mail. There is an address provided to allow them to join the Mailbox Club through Child Evangelism Fellowship. They can send their name and address and age to: Mailbox Club, P. O. Box 348, Warrenton, Missouri, 63383-0348. Or you could contact Child Evangelism Fellowship at 1-800-748-7710. I found that Child Evangelism Fellowship and Child Evangelism Ministries use the same Mailbox Club ministry. You can get a child signed up for the Mailbox Club on the internet through Child Evangelism Ministries, with a parent’s or guardian’s permission, by filling out the information on this form.

I feel that this presentation, called The Story of Jesus for Children, was very thoughtfully assembled and is an excellent tool for providing an opportunity for children to find a relationship with God. I believe it would be ideal for children ages 6 to 10. It lasts 62 minutes. You may want to order the DVD. Below you will find the trailer and the full movie available through Youtube. You might wish to watch the trailer, which shows the first few minutes of the movie, to get a taste. The jesusfilm.org website offers viewing of the movie as well. You may be able to find it there in another language you desire.

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