Last Updated on
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of stories that have a purpose, some of which are used to remember the wonderful things that God has done for us and to help parents teach their children how God wants them to live through the examples of the lives of the people we read about therein.
Top Bible Stories for Kids
Here are some of the important short Bible stories for kids that every Christian child should know:
1. The Story of Creation
Look back in time at how God created the world in six days.
The Old Testament; Book of Genesis, Chapter One.
In the beginning, there was nothing; everything was formless, and darkness covered the surface of everything. Only God existed. One day, God commanded that there should be light, and the light was created. On the first day of creation, God made night and day. On the second day, God created the sky to separate the waters.
On the third day, the creation of land and sea took place. He also commanded that the land produce vegetation and seed-bearing plants, and that they must all multiply according to their own kind. On the fourth day, God created the sun, the moon and the stars, in order to serve as markers for the day, the night, the years, and the sacred times. On the fifth day, God created all the living creatures in the sea and the air, and commanded that they should multiply according to their own kinds.
On the sixth day, the creation of all the land animals was done, and he commanded them all to go forth and multiply across the earth, according to their own kind. Then, he formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. From the rib of the man, he created the woman, and he gave man and woman authority over all the earth.
God was pleased by all that He created, and on the seventh day, God rested.
God is all-powerful and created all that exists.
2. Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were the first two humans that ever existed. They were the ones who committed the first sin, and are the father and mother of all mankind.
The Old Testament; Book of Genesis, Chapter Two.
When God created Adam from the dust of the earth and gave him life by breathing into his nostrils, He brought all the animals that He had created and showed them to Adam. Adam was given the honour of naming the animals, but after all had been named, God felt that there was no suitable helper for Adam, which is why He decided to send Adam into a deep sleep, and from his rib, created Eve, whom Adam called “woman” because she came from man.
God created the Garden of Eden as their home, and in it were all types of trees that God told Adam and Eve they were allowed to eat from; all except one, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.One day, as Adam and Eve were in the garden, the serpent, which was the craftiest of all the creatures that God had made, tempted Eve into eating the fruit from this tree, and she shared it with her husband who was with her.
Though they were forbidden to eat fruit from that tree, Adam and Eve ate, disobeying God, and committing the first sin. But as God is just, He had no choice but to banish them from the garden. He told them that because they sinned, they would have to suffer the consequences. They would have to work very hard to make the ground produce food, they would feel pain, and they would eventually die after a very hard life.
Never disobey God’s commands, as they exist to protect you from sin.
3. The Tower of Babel
Here, the bible teaches us how so many different languages came into being.
The Old Testament; Book Of Genesis, Chapter 11
Years after the flood, when Noah and his family settled down and had more children, they began to move from place to place. When they reached the land of Babylon, they decided to settle there and build a tower so high ,that it would reach the sky. The hearts of the people were proud, and they thought that they could reach the same level as God, the Highest.
This pride was their downfall. When God came down to the city and saw what the people were doing, He became very angry. He decided to put a stop to their construction, by making sure that nobody could understand the other. God made sure that all the people there began to speak a different language, so that neighbours could no longer understand each other.
When people tried to communicate, it turned into a whole babble of confused voices. Soon, everyone who spoke the same language left the city together, and in this way, they spread out across the world, taking their different languages with them. This is why the tower is called the tower of “babel.” Perhaps the origin of the word “babble”.
The pride of the people of Babylon led to their downfall. Just like Satan, they wanted to be like God. We must humble ourselves before the Lord.
4. Abraham’s Covenant
Abraham is known across the world as the Father of Nations, but there was once a time when Abraham thought he would never have any children.
The Old Testament; Book Of Genesis, Chapters 17 – 21
There was once a faithful man of God who worked hard and was blessed by God. Sadly, the one thing he did not have was a child. He longed for a son, and when the Lord promised to make him the father of many nations, Abram was happy and waited for his promised child. However, years went by and his wife Sarai still did not give him a son.
In an attempt to take things into her own hands, Sarai convinced Abram to marry her maidservant Hagar, who was from Egypt. Abram did so, and Hagar became pregnant with a son. When the child was born, he was called Ishmael.
This was not the child of promise, for the Lord promised that a son would be born to Sarai, and that He would bless Abram through him. One day, three men visited Abram, who showed them great hospitality. These men were actually God and His angels who came in disguise. They told Abram that by the same time next year, Sarai would have a son. Sarai laughed, as she thought she was much too old to have a child. The Lord also gave Abram and Sarai new names, and from then they were known as Abraham and Sarah, for Sarah means “Princess”, and she would be the mother of many nations.
The Lord kept His promise, and at the same time next year, a son was born to Sarai. They named him Isaac, which means laughter because Sarah had laughed when she was told she would have a son.
God is faithful, and He always keeps His promises.
5. The Fall of Jericho
Though the Israelites were freed from Egyptian rule, they had to still reach the promised land.
The Old Testament; BookOf Numbers, Chapter 27; Deuteronomy 34; Joshua Chapters 1 to 6
Moses had appointed Joshua to be his successor, as he was a man who loved God. God told Joshua to prepare the people to cross the river Jordan, so that they could go and take Jericho. Joshua sent two spies to scout the city, and they were given refuge by a woman named Rahab. She asked that when they took the city, they would spare her and her family. They agreed, and as she lived on the wall, she lowered them out her window to the other side.
God told the people that the arc that held the Ten Commandments should be carried by twelve priests, and that they and all the people should march around the city of Jericho, sounding their trumpets once every day for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times. At the sound of the trumpet after the seventh round on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho would come crashing down.
Joshua made the people obey, and everything happened just as God said. Joshua remembered Rahab, and took her and her family safely out of the city, after which, they burned the city of Jericho to the ground.
God goes before His people and gives them victory in battle.
6. David and Goliath
King David was considered to be a man after Gods own heart and is most famous for defeating the giant Goliath when he was only a shepherd boy.
The Old Testament; Book Of 1 Samuel, Chapters 16 and 17.
When King Saul sinned in the eyes of God, God became very displeased with him and commanded Samuel, His prophet, to anoint another man to be king after Saul. Samuel followed the directions of God and was led to the home of a man named Jesse, who came from the tribe of Benjamin.
Jesse had eight sons, seven of whom were shown to Samuel. Samuel thought that surely the Lord would pick one of them, as they were strong and fine in appearance. The Lord, however, told Samuel that He does not consider a person’s outward appearance, but instead looks at their heart. Samuel was told to anoint the youngest son, who was a shepherd boy; this boy was called David.
When the war between the Israelites and Philistines took place, a giant named Goliath would shout out a challenge, each day, to any Israeli who would defeat him in battle. Nobody was brave enough to face him.
When David heard him challenge the armies of God, he told King Saul that he would fight the giant. King Saul was worried, as David was not a warrior, but he put his own royal armour on David and gave him his blessing. David asked that the armour is removed, as he was not used to it. He chose, instead, to face the giant, dressed as a simple shepherd boy; his slingshot his only weapon.
As the giant came towards him, David slung a stone in his slingshot and shot the giant. The small stone sunk into Goliath’s head and the giant died instantly. The Philistines tried to flee when their hero died, but the Israeli army cut them off and defeated them.
God does not look at the appearance of a person, but instead looks at a person’s heart. He does not need His people dressed in fancy armour to help them defeat their enemies.
More commonly known as Queen Esther, Hadassah was a bright young Jewish woman chosen by God to save His people from destruction.
The Old Testament; Book Of Esther
When King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, he found himself looking for a wife. All the young maidens in the kingdom were taken to the palace and given beauty treatments for a year, after which they were sent before the king, for him to pick his wife. When Hadassah was taken, her cousin, Mordecai, told her not to let anyone know she was Jewish, as they were hated and mistrusted among the people, so she called herself Esther.
The king was charmed by Esther, and he picked her to be his queen. During her time as queen, an evil man named Haman convinced the king that all the Jews in the kingdom needed to be killed. When Mordecai found out about the plan, he sent word to Esther and told her that she needed to speak to the king. Esther was afraid, as it was forbidden to go before the king without being summoned. Only if the king was pleased and held out his sceptre, was the person accepted into his presence. If he did not, they were to be put to death.
Mordecai told Esther that she had to try to speak to the king, regardless, because God had put her in a high position, so that she would be able to save her people. Queen Esther commanded all the Jews, including herself, to fast for three days, at the end of which, she went before the king.
The king was so pleased with his wife that he gladly held out the sceptre to her. She told him everything and Haman was put to death. The Jewish people were given permission to defend themselves, if anyone tried to attack them. In this way, Esther saved her people.
God raises people into certain positions because He has a plan for them and will use them to help more of His people.
8. John the Baptist
If you don’t know who John the Baptist was, you are about to find out.
The New Testament; Luke 1
Elizabeth, sister of Mary, was old when she became pregnant with John. An angel of the Lord had told Zechariah, John’s father, that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit, right from birth, and that he was to be named John.
John grew up to be a bit of a wild man, who lived in the desert and preached the message of God, foretelling the coming of Jesus the Messiah. He spent a lot of time baptizing people in the river and teaching them to repent. When Jesus went to John to be baptized, John was overjoyed, and the Holy Spirit engulfed Jesus. At that moment, a voice from heaven spoke and said: “This is my Son, in whom I am pleased.”
God is real and speaks to those who listen and believe in Him.
9. The Christ is Born
Jesus Christ, probably the most well-known figure in history, had very humble beginnings.
The New Testament; Books of Matthew and Luke
There was a virgin named Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth, a town in Galilee. She loved God dearly. She was to marry a man named Joseph.
God sent the angel, Gabriel to tell her that she had found favour with God and that He would cause her to become pregnant while she was still a virgin. She accepted this, and so she became pregnant. Gabriel also visited Joseph and told him what God desired, so that he would not think Mary had been unfaithful.
In the days when Jesus was to be born, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the Roman Empire ,to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to their hometowns, and enter their names in a register (or census) there. Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem with Mary, who was pregnant, as he was a descendant of King David.
Once they reached Bethlehem, there were no rooms or lodges available. As there were no rooms, Mary and Joseph had no choice, but to seek shelter in a manger of an inn, and there Mary had the baby, Jesus. It had been prophesied that the Saviour would be born in Bethlehem and would be born of a virgin, so Jesus fulfilled the prophecies made about Him.
Jesus is the Saviour of mankind.
10. Teaching Nicodemus
Jesus teaches a Pharisee one of the things needed to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The New Testament; John 3
When Nicodemus told Jesus that he believed that Jesus had come from God because of the signs and wonders, Jesus told him that nobody would see the kingdom of God until they were born again.
Confused, Nicodemus asked how a grown man can be born again, and Jesus explained that a person needs to be born again of water and in the Spirit of God, in order to be able to see the kingdom of God.
It is important to be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
11. Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus performed many great miracles and His disciples got to witness them!
The New Testament; Matthew, Chapter 8
Jesus and His disciples were travelling in a boat one night, and Jesus fell asleep after a tiring day of preaching to the people. Without any warning, a harsh storm came upon them, and they were terrified that they would drown. Out of fear they woke Jesus and asked Him to save them.
“Oh you of little faith,” Jesus said to them, “Why are you so afraid?”
Jesus then turned to the storm and rebuked t it. The wind and the waves were completely calm, once again.
His disciples were amazed and in awe of His power.
All things can be done through faith in God.
12. Devil In the Desert
Before starting His ministry, even Jesus had to fight against temptation.
The New Testament; Matthew 4
Jesus had been fasting forty days and nights in the desert. He was alone and hungry. The devil went to Him and tried to tempt Him into turning the stones into bread, but Jesus replied that man does not live on bread alone, but on the Word of God.
Then, the devil took Jesus to the highest point in the Holy City to the highest point. He told Jesus to throw Himself from there for the scriptures said that the angels would save Jesus. But Jesus replied to him that we should not put the Lord to the test.
The devil then tried to promise all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, as long as He bowed down and worshipped him.
But Jesus rebuked the devil and told him that worship is meant for God alone. The devil then left Jesus, and the angels of the Lord came to attend to Him.
If you hold fast to the Word of God, then nobody will be able to cause you to stumble.
13. The Widow’s Offering
Jesus teaches us what God considers to be a higher gift.
The New Testament; Luke 21
One day, when Jesus was in the temple, he saw an old woman put two small coins into the offering box. He told His disciples, “This poor widow gave more than anyone else. Everyone else gave a little out of their wealth, but she gave all she had in her poverty.”
God does not see quantity the same way that we do. He sees the nature of your heart.
14. The Lost Sheep
What does it mean when a person believes in Jesus?
New Testament; Luke 15
Most of the Pharisees had a problem with Jesus because He ate with the sinners and allowed them to follow Him. Jesus told them this parable to help them understand.
“If one of you has 100 sheep and even if one is lost, will you not leave the rest and go to look for the lost sheep? When you find it, you are very happy and tell everyone that you found your lost sheep. You will call your friends and celebrate. In the same way, when a sinner repents, there is a lot of rejoicing in heaven.”
Jesus came to save those who are lost and will never give up on you.
15. Faithful Daughter
Jesus healed many people when He was on earth. People would crowd around Him, hoping to get to just touch his garments, so that they could be healed.
The New Testament; Matthew 9
A ruler came before Jesus and knelt down, asking Jesus to go with him to his home and raise his daughter from the dead. All Jesus had to do was lay his hands on her.
Jesus agreed, and as He was going to the girl’s home, a large crowd gathered about him. Among them was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She thought that if she only got to touch His clothes, she would be healed. When Jesus felt power leave Him, he turned to see who was responsible. She was afraid that perhaps Jesus was angry, but this was not the case as Jesus was pleased with her. He said to her “Take heart, daughter, for your faith has made you well.”
When Jesus reached the home of the ruler, He took the young girl by the hand, and she got up, alive and well.
Miracles through Jesus are possible, all you have to do is have faith.
16. Walking on Water
From turning water into wine to feeding five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus never failed to surprise those around Him.
The New Testament; Matthew 14
When Jesus had fed the five thousand, He made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him, and He went up onto a mountainside to pray. When it was evening, the boat had reached the middle of the ocean and Jesus was the only one on land. He saw the disciples fighting against the wind because it was too strong. Later, He went out to them, walking on water.
When His disciples saw Him, they thought He was a ghost and cried out in fear. He calmed them down, and when they realised it was Him, Peter asked if he could also walk on water. Jesus said yes, as long as he kept Him as his focus.
When Peter got out of the boat, he walked a little way to Jesus, but as soon as he looked down, he began to sink. Jesus saved him and asked him, “Why did you doubt?”. Jesus saved Peter then.
The moment they were in the boat, the winds died down. His disciples were amazed.
Focus on Jesus and do not doubt.
17. The Ten Virgins
This is a parable that Jesus told His followers to teach them the importance of living Holy lives.
The New Testament; Matthew 25
Jesus told His followers a story of ten virgins who went out to meet a bridegroom. Five were fools, and five of them were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps with them, but they did not take any oil. The five wise women carried extra oil in jars.
The bridegroom was taking a long time to come, and soon, all the women fell asleep. Their lamps all burned out.
At midnight, there was a cry that the bridegroom was arriving and that they were to go and greet him. The five foolish women asked the wise women to lend them some oil, but the wise women refused, as there was not enough for two lamps and that they should go and buy some oil.
When they went about their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived, and the wise women welcomed and entered into the banquet hall with him. When the other 5 returned and asked to be let in, they were refused.
Live lives that are pleasing to God because you never know when the time will come for Him to take you home.
18. Mary and Martha
Do you sometimes feel like you have so much to do that you can’t spend time learning about Jesus?
The New Testament; Luke 10
When Jesus and His disciples were at the home of Mary and Martha, who opened their doors to Him, Martha ran about preparing food and trying to serve everyone. Mary chose to sit and listen to what Jesus had to say. Martha became irritated with Mary and asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her.
Jesus instead said “Martha, you worry and become upset about too many things. Mary has chosen to do the right thing.”
Do not let the worries of the world get in the way of your relationship with Jesus.
19. The Crucifixion
There is no greater love than that of Jesus, for He died for us.
The New Testament; Mark 15
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of His disciples, and was then taken before Pontius Pilate. The people urged Pontius to release a murderer named Barabas to them and to crucify Jesus.
They had Him flogged and tortured, and made Him carry his own cross up the hill where He was to be killed. They pierced his limbs, after which they nailed him to the cross and placed a sign above Him that read “King of the Jews.” Jesus cried out to God and then He died. All this happened according to the prophecy that Prophet Isaiah had made, which said the one God chose to take the punishment of the sins of His people would die in silence and would be hung on a tree.
Jesus was sent to take our sins on Him and suffer death in our place.
20. The Resurrection
Jesus’ crucifixion was not the end.
The New Testament; Mark 16
When Mary Magdalene and two others went to anoint Jesus’ body with spices, they found that the stone to the tomb had been rolled over. When they went into the tomb, there was a young man in a white robe. He told them, “If you are looking for Jesus Christ who was crucified, He has risen from the dead!”
The women ran away, but were too afraid to say anything to anybody. Jesus then appeared to some of His other followers. Thomas was not present, and so he refused to believe until he was able to put his finger in Jesus’ wounds.
Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed him to do just that. Thomas then believed that Jesus had risen, but Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
God blesses those who have faith without needing to see tangible proof.
Why Should You Read Bible Stories to Your Kids?
You must have often heard people iterate the importance of reading a bible story every day or week to your kids, but what value do these stories really hold? Let’s find out.
1. Bible stories are a great way to pass down morals and values to your kids, teaching them to have faith in God in a way they find interesting. Rather than taking a preachy route, you can read them a story from the bible, just like you would any other, and watch them pay attention with keen eyes.
2. Kids can learn good values from examples of bravery, such as in the ‘Fall of Jericho’ and about resilience, like Jesus showed in ‘The Devil in the Desert.’
3. Bad examples teach kids not to succumb to weaknesses, such as disobedience in ‘Adam and Eve’ and false pride, in ‘The Tower of Babel.’
Paul sums it up well when he explains that the Bible is there for correction, reproof and instruction, and through it, we can see God’s love for those who honour Him. God sent His son Jesus to take our punishment upon Himself because we cannot pay for our own sins, and through Him, we are saved.
Stories are a powerful medium for children – narrating the stories of God can help in developing your child’s imagination and cognitive skills. To enhance these and other varied skills, consider getting fun subscription boxes for kids. The activities put together in these kits will engage your child in fun-based learning that will work wonders for him/her.