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Using Extrabiblical Examples in Children's Ministry Effectively

Children are capable of glorifying God [1] and are considered a gift from Him [1]. The Bible emphasizes the importance of instructing children in God's ways, training them judiciously, and encouraging them to obey, fear, and remember God [1]. They are also called to honor and obey their parents [1]. In children's ministry, extrabiblical examples can be used effectively to illustrate biblical truths and reinforce these principles, provided they are carefully chosen and applied.

One key area where extrabiblical examples can be valuable is in teaching about sin and human nature. Scripture clearly states that all human beings are born sinners [7]. This inherent sinfulness is not merely the commission of individual acts but a corrupt nature [11]. The first sin, as described in Genesis 3:13, was not simply eating forbidden fruit but involved self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [9]. Paul elaborates on this universal sinfulness in Romans 1:18–3:20, explaining that both Gentiles and Jews are under sin's power and cannot earn God's favor through their own actions [10]. God's anger is depicted not as an emotional outburst but as a necessary response to sin [10].

When discussing sin with children, extrabiblical stories can help them grasp the concept of a fallen nature and the consequences of disobedience. For instance, stories that highlight the natural human tendency towards selfishness, lying, or rebellion, even in seemingly innocent contexts, can serve as relatable illustrations. These examples should not replace biblical narratives but rather complement them, making the abstract concept of sin more concrete for young minds. It is important to distinguish between being "born of the devil" and imitating the devil; Augustine clarifies that while no one is born of the devil, imitating him makes one a child of the devil [8]. This distinction can be helpful when explaining the origin of sin versus the choice to engage in sinful behavior.

Another area for effective use of extrabiblical examples is in teaching about obedience and character. The Bible frequently calls for children to obey their parents and to be instructed in the ways of God [1]. Good children are described as those who know the Scriptures, observe God's law, and whose obedience to parents is pleasing to God [2]. They are promised blessings and are encouraged to show love and care for their parents [2]. Extrabiblical stories featuring characters who demonstrate obedience, diligence, and respect can reinforce these biblical mandates. For example, tales of individuals who rise early to fulfill their duties, as Christ did [4], or who show sincerity in their actions, mirroring Christ's example [3], can be powerful teaching tools. The Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous biblical figures who practiced early rising for devotion, executing God's commands, and discharging daily duties, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David [4]. These biblical examples can be paralleled with extrabiblical stories of perseverance and commitment.

The concept of sincerity is also crucial. Christ was an example of sincerity, and ministers are called to follow this example [3]. Sincerity should characterize love for God and Christ, service to God, faith, love for one another, and overall conduct [3]. Extrabiblical narratives that portray characters acting with genuine motives, even when faced with challenges, can help children understand the importance of sincerity in their own lives and interactions. This can be contrasted with "fleshly wisdom" or hypocrisy, which are opposed to sincerity [3].

Furthermore, extrabiblical examples can be used to illustrate the benefits of affliction and the call to be missionaries. Afflictions can promote God's glory, exhibit His power and faithfulness, teach His will, turn people to Him, and keep them from departing from Him [5]. They can also lead to prayer and conviction of sin [5]. While these are profound theological concepts, simplified extrabiblical stories of characters overcoming adversity through faith or learning important lessons through hardship can introduce these ideas to children. Similarly, all Christians are called to be missionaries, following Christ's example [6]. This includes women and children, who are capable of glorifying God [6]. Extrabiblical stories of individuals who share their faith or help others can inspire children to understand their role in God's mission, even in small ways.

When incorporating extrabiblical examples, it is vital to ensure they align with biblical truth and do not contradict core doctrines. The goal is not to replace the Bible but to provide relatable illustrations that make biblical principles more accessible. For instance, while children are encouraged to be like children in their humility and dependence, they are also admonished not to be "children in understanding" regarding spiritual matters [12]. This means that while simplicity is good, a lack of spiritual discernment is not. Extrabiblical stories should therefore aim to foster spiritual understanding, not just moral behavior.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  8. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  9. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  10. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:19: Brethren, be not children in understanding,.... There are some things in children in which it is reproachful for believers to be like them; as nonproficiency in knowledge, want of capacity to receive, bear, and digest strong meat; levity, fickleness, and inconstancy, unskilfulness in the word, deficiency of knowledge, want of understanding, not of things natural, but spiritual and evangelical; which is the more aggravated, since their understandings were opened and enlightened; an understanding was given them; the Spirit of God, as a spirit of understanding, w”
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