Effective Bible Storytelling for Children and Families
Biblical storytelling for children and families is rooted in the scriptural mandate to pass down divine truths and historical accounts from one generation to the next [1, 5]. This practice is not merely an educational exercise but a fundamental aspect of faith transmission, ensuring that the "praises of the Lord" and His works are known to future generations [8, 9]. The Old Testament frequently emphasizes this intergenerational instruction, as seen in Joel 1:3, which commands, "Give the story of it to your children, and let them give it to their children, and their children to another generation" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 78:3-4 highlights the importance of recounting God's deeds across generations [5].
The purpose of this storytelling is to impart wisdom and understanding, enabling children to grasp the significance of God's actions and His covenant with humanity [4, 6]. The Scriptures themselves are described as "God-breathed" and effective for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, making them the primary source material for such instruction [7]. While Paul's statement in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 primarily refers to the Old Testament, its principles are understood to apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament [7].
Effective biblical storytelling involves several key elements:
1. Rooted in Scripture: The foundation of all biblical storytelling must be the Bible itself. The stories are not merely moral fables but accounts of what "actually takes place" and are "true to fact," conveying "higher heavenly and spiritual truths" [2]. This distinguishes biblical narratives from fables, which often feature irrational or inanimate beings acting with human characteristics for the purpose of moral instruction [2]. The Bible contains only two examples of fables, such as the trees choosing a king in Judges 9, whereas parables, like those told by Jesus, relate events that are true to life to teach spiritual lessons [2]. Ezekiel 17:2 also refers to a riddle and a parable, indicating the use of narrative forms to convey truth [3].
2. Generational Transmission: The command to tell stories to children and grandchildren underscores the importance of an ongoing, living tradition of faith within families [1, 5]. This is exemplified in the life of Timothy, whose Jewish grandmother Lois and mother Eunice educated him in the Old Testament Scriptures from childhood, reinforcing their teaching through their lives [4]. This early exposure to Scripture is presented as crucial for gaining the wisdom necessary to receive Christ Jesus [4]. The concept extends beyond the immediate family, with a broader call to "show to the generation to come" the Lord's praises [8].
3. Clarity and Understanding: The goal of sharing God's word is to "give light" and "understanding" [6]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:130, notes that "even the entrance of God's word gives light," meaning that even initial exposure can enlighten the understanding of those who are sanctified [6]. This implies that stories should be presented in a way that is accessible and comprehensible to children, allowing them to grasp the core truths. The stories should not be "hidden" from children but faithfully published and declared [8].
4. Focus on God's Works and Praises: The content of these stories should center on "what God has done" [5, 9]. This includes His acts of salvation, His covenant faithfulness, and His character [8]. The narrative of salvation, in particular, is not meant to be confined to the community of Israel but is to be told to all nations [9]. This emphasis ensures that children learn about God's active involvement in history and His redemptive plan.
5. Individual and Collective Engagement: While the family is a primary unit for this transmission, the call to hear God's word applies both collectively and individually [11]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, in their commentary on Jeremiah 2:4, highlight that the entire nation of Israel, and by extension, all families, are called to hear God's word, not just as a group but as individuals [11]. This suggests that storytelling should encourage personal reflection and engagement with the biblical message.
6. The Role of Children as Blessings: The biblical perspective views children as a blessing from God [10]. Psalm 127:3-5 uses a wordplay between "children" (Hebrew banim) and "builders" (bonim) to illustrate that having children "builds a family" [10]. This perspective elevates the importance of nurturing children in faith, recognizing their integral role in the continuation of God's people.
Sources
- Joel “Joel 1:3 (BBE) — Give the story of it to your children, and let them give it to their children, and their children to another generation.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fable — A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions.--Encyc. Brit. The fable differs from the parable in that-- + The parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and + The parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. Of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [[510]Parable], we have but two examples in the Bible: + That of the tree”
- Ezekiel “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; -- Ezekiel 17:2”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 78:3: 78:3-4 This story of what God has done should be told from generation to generation (see Deut 6:20-25; Prov 4:1-4).”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:130: Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begi”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:4: We will not hide them from their children,.... The children of the Jewish fathers, but faithfully publish and declare them, as Christ and his apostles did; or the children of God and Christ, their spiritual seed and offspring: showing to the generation to come; and so in all successive ages, by the ministration of the word, and the Spirit attending it; see Psa 22:30, the praises of the Lord; what he has done in predestination, redemption, and effectual calling, which is to the praise of the glory of his grace, Eph 1:6, and so all other truths of the Gospel, which ”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 12:4: 12:4-5 Tell the nations what he has done: The story of salvation must be told, even beyond the community of Israel (Pss 67:2; 70:4; 98:2).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 127:3: 127:3-5 Children are one of God’s blessings. The words translated “children” (Hebrew banim) and “builders” (bonim, 127:1) form a wordplay. Having children builds a family.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 2:4: Jacob . . . Israel--the whole nation. families--(See on Jer 1:15). Hear God's word not only collectively, but individually (Zac 12:12-14).”