God Is Holy: Helping Kids See the Perfect and Set-Apart Nature of God

Think back for a moment to the 90s. Maybe you remember slap bracelets, cassette tapes, and the joy of an after-school game of tag. Simple times, yet powerful lessons. That’s the heart behind our Back to the 90s series—using fun, nostalgic connections to point kids toward timeless biblical truths. And the truth in Psalm 99 couldn’t be more important: God is holy.

Holiness is not a word kids use every day. Honestly, even many adults wrestle with what it means. Psalm 99 paints a vivid picture. God is perfect. He is set apart and completely different from anything else in all creation. When we understand that truth, it shapes the way we worship. It also shapes the way we pray and the way we live.

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What Does “Holy” Mean?

Psalm 99 opens with awe: “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” (v.1). Right away, the psalmist reminds us that God’s holiness is not casual. It’s not something to brush aside or treat lightly.

When Scripture calls God “holy,” it means He is set apart, utterly unique, and perfectly pure. Unlike us, He never sins, never makes mistakes, and never breaks His promises. While people can be good sometimes and fail at others, God’s goodness is steady, unshakable, and eternal.

For kids, this can feel abstract. That’s why tangible examples help. I love using a simple illustration. Hold up a bright white shirt. Then, make a mark with a marker on it. No matter how small the stain, the shirt isn’t perfectly clean anymore. That’s what sin is like in our lives. But God? He’s completely without stain—perfectly holy from beginning to end.

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The Bible Connection: Psalm 99

Psalm 99 repeats the phrase “Holy is He!” three times (verses 3, 5, and 9). That repetition matters. In the Bible, when something is said three times, it emphasizes completeness. In Revelation 4:8, the angels around God’s throne echo this truth: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

The psalm also ties God’s holiness to His justice and His love. Verse 4 reminds us: “The King in his might loves justice.”Unlike human rulers, whose decisions can be unfair or short-sighted, God’s rule is always perfectly just. And His justice isn’t cold—it flows from His love.

This is a critical teaching moment for each of us. Kids know what it feels like when something is unfair. They see favoritism on the playground. They feel the sting of being left out. Psalm 99 shows them that God is different. He not only sees every wrong but has the power and the will to make it right.

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Connecting the Dots: The Ark, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb

Psalm 99 also connects God’s holiness to history. It speaks of God enthroned between the cherubim. This is a reference to the Ark of the Covenant, the golden chest that carried the Ten Commandments. It represented God’s presence with Israel. Wherever the Ark went, it was a symbol that God Himself was leading the way.

Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see the ultimate picture of holiness fulfilled in Jesus. At the resurrection, two angels sat at either end of the empty tomb. This resembled the cherubim on the mercy seat of the Ark. It was a holy picture: Jesus, the only one who could perfectly keep the Law, had conquered sin and death.

For kids, this connection is powerful. It reminds them that holiness isn’t just about rules or distant rituals. It’s about Jesus—God’s holy Son. He lived a perfect life. The One who died for our sins. And rose again so that we could be made clean.

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Why God’s Holiness Matters Today

So what does all this mean for us—and for the kids we lead? God’s holiness calls for a response. Psalm 99:5 and 9 repeat the command: “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is He!”

That’s where worship comes in. Worship is how we show God He is number one in our lives. It’s more than singing songs on Sunday. It’s praying, obeying, choosing kindness, and treating Him with respect in our everyday choices.

For kids, this might mean:

• Choosing honesty even when lying feels easier.
• Speaking kindly instead of joining in gossip.
• Remembering to pray when they’re scared or thankful.

When we teach kids that God is holy, we’re not just teaching them about who He is. We’re shaping how they live in response to Him.

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Bringing It Home: A Ministry and Parenting Challenge

As leaders and parents, we carry the privilege of modeling what it looks like to honor God’s holiness. Our kids are watching how we pray, how we treat others, and how seriously we take God’s Word.

Here are a few practical ways to bring it home:

1. Create Awe Moments. Take kids outside on a starry night. Discuss how the God who made every star knows them by name.
2. Practice Respect. Encourage kids to treat prayer time with focus—remind them we’re talking to the holy God of the universe.
3. Live It Out. Share a personal story of a time when you had to make a hard choice to honor God. Let them see holiness in action.

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Discussion Starters for Kids

• What does “holy” mean?
• How is God different from us?
• How can you show respect to God in your everyday life?

These simple questions open the door for kids to connect the big truth of holiness with their daily experiences.

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Final Encouragement

Psalm 99 ends the way it begins: “For the Lord our God is holy!” That’s the truth our kids need to carry with them into school, friendships, and family life. God is not just bigger, stronger, or smarter than us. He is completely set apart—perfect, pure, and worthy of our worship.

As leaders and parents, we have the joy of helping kids see this holy God. He is not distant. Instead, He is deeply personal. The God who shook the earth at the cross and the empty tomb is the same God today. He listens when a child whispers a bedtime prayer.

So, let’s lead with awe. Let’s parent with reverence. Let’s raise a generation that knows—deep down—that God is holy.