From the first Book of Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of stories that have great educational value for believers, even the youngest children. Some are ideal for reminding us of the wonders GOD has done for His people and can greatly help parents in the hard task of teaching their children morals. Understanding how GOD would want them to live is easier when taught by being helped by the life examples of the great people of Scripture, those from whom to take example.
If reading a fairy tale to your children is good entertainment for them and a source of teaching, let alone how much it can benefit them to know the stories of the Bible, full of values and meaning.
Stories are therefore a powerful medium for children, also helping to develop imagination and cognitive skills. Here are some of the important Bible stories for children that every Christian child should know, remembering that the summaries below will serve for parents only as an introduction, but then the real reading will necessarily have to be completed by opening the Bible, at the chapter indicated to begin with their little ones a real journey with imagination and memory, together.
1. The story of creation
The origin of times, how GOD created the World in six days.
Origins
Old Testament; Book of Genesis, chapter one.
History
In the beginning there was nothing, everything was formless and darkness covered the surface of everything. One day GOD commanded that there be light, and light was created. On the first day of creation, GOD created the night and the day, and on the second day, the sky, so as to separate the waters.
On the third day the earth and the sea were created, and it was commanded that the earth should produce every kind of plant, and that they should multiply, all according to their kind.
On the fourth day came the Sun, the Moon and the stars, in order to serve as indicators for the days, seasons and years. On the fifth day GOD created all the living creatures of the sea and the air and commanded them to multiply according to their kind.
On the sixth day the creation of all the animals of the earth was completed, and he commanded them to multiply on the earth, according to their species. Then he formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into him a breath and Spirit of life. From the rib of the man he created the woman and gave the man and the woman authority over all the earth.
GOD was pleased with everything he created, and on the seventh day he rested.
Moral
GOD is Almighty and in this way created everything that exists.
2. Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were the first two believers who ever existed. It was they who committed the first sin, breaking the Covenant made with the Creator. In fact, the father and mother of the entire people of GOD ate from the Tree of Knowledge, from which the Lord had commanded them not to eat. Thus they fell into sin and were punished and driven out of the Garden of Eden.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of Genesis, chapter two.
History
When GOD created Adam from the dust of the ground and gave him life by infusing the Breath of Life into his nostrils, he brought all the animals he had created and showed them to Adam. He was given the honor of naming each animal, but still Adam did not find a suitable helper for him, which is why GOD decided to make Adam fall into a deep sleep and from his rib generated Eve, the woman.
GOD put them in the Garden of Eden, that was their home, and in it were all kinds of trees from which to draw and feed. Yet GOD told Adam and Eve that they could only eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
But one day, while Adam and Eve were in the Garden, the serpent, who was the most cunning of all the creatures GOD had created, tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, and she shared it with her husband as well.
Although they were forbidden to eat the fruit of that tree, Adam and Eve ate, disobeying GOD and committing the first sin. So GOD was forced to drive them out of the Garden, lest they also eat from the Tree of Life, since now His creatures had acquired Knowledge. So He told them that since they had sinned, they would have to suffer the consequences, since from now on they would have to work hard to make the earth produce food, and at the end of their lives die like any living thing.
Moral
We should never disobey GOD’s commands, for they exist to protect us from sin.
3. The Tower of Babel
Here the Bible tells us about when the first peoples came together and how so many languages were born in the World.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of Genesis, chapter 11
History
Many years after the flood, when Noah and his family settled down and had more children, they began to move from place to place, and when they reached the land of Babylon, they decided to settle there. The city and the people began to grow and evolve into a real society, and the hearts of the people became proud. Thinking that they could reach the same level as GOD, they decided to build a tower so high that it reached the sky.
This pride was their downfall, and when GOD visited the city to see how the people behaved, he was very angry. He decided to put an end to their construction, and dispersed the people so that no one could understand each other’s language. GOD made all the people start speaking different languages, so that they could no longer understand each other.
Soon, all those who spoke the same language left the city together, and in this way they spread all over the World, taking their different languages with them.
Moral
The pride of the people of Babylon led to their ruin. Just as Satan took pride only to fall. No one can aspire to be like GOD, we must all show humility before the Lord.
4. Abraham’s Covenant
Abraham is known throughout the world as the Father of Nations, but there was a time when Abraham thought he would never have children.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of Genesis, chapters 17 – 21
History
Once upon a time there was a faithful man of GOD who worked hard and was righteous, and for that he was blessed. Unfortunately, the only thing he didn’t have was a son, and when the LORD promised to make him the father of many nations, Abraham was happy and waited in faith for his promised son. However, years passed and his wife Sarai still could not get pregnant.
So Sarai persuaded Abraham to unite his servant Hagar, to give Abraham an offspring, and when Hagar became pregnant and gave birth, the child was named Ishmael.
But Ishmael was not the son of promise, for the Lord promised that a son would also be born to Sarai. So one day, three men visited Abraham, and he showed them great hospitality. These men were actually the Angels cof GOD who had made themselves unrecognizable. They told Abraham that at the same time next year Sarai would have a son, and at this Sarai, who was listening from lotano, laughed, because she thought she was too old to give birth. The Lord also gave Abraham and Sarai new names, as a sign of the New Covenant, and from then on they were known as Abraham and Sarah. Sarah means “Princess,” and she would be the mother of many nations.
The Lord kept His promise, and at the same time, a son was born to Sarah the following year. They named him Isaac, which means “laughter” because Sarah had laughed when she was told she would have a son.
Moral
GOD is always faithful and always keeps his promises, even when it seems to us that he has forgotten. Everything is fulfilled in due time.
5. The fall of Jericho
Although the Israelites were freed from Egyptian rule, they still had to reach the promised land.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of Numbers, Chapter 27; Deuteronomy 34; Joshua Chapters 1-6.
History
Moses had appointed Joshua as his successor, for he was a man who loved GOD. The GOD told Joshua to prepare the people to cross the Jordan River so that they could go and take the city of Jericho. Joshua sent two spies to search the city and they were given shelter by a woman named Rahab. She asked them that when they took the city, they would spare her and her family, and they agreed. Since the woman lived on the walls, she lowered them out the window on the other side.
GOD told the people that the Ark containing the Ten Commandments was to be carried by twelve priests, and that they and all the people were to march around the city of Jericho, blowing trumpets once a day for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times. At the sounding of the trumpet after the seventh round, on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho would collapse.
Joshua made the people obey and everything happened just as GOD had promised. Joshua remembered Rahab and took her and her family to safety outside the city, after which they set the city of Jericho on fire.
Moral
GOD walks before His people and always gives victory to the righteous.
6. David and Goliath
King David was considered a man who believed in GOD and was righteous among the people. His fame began the moment he defeated the giant Goliath, when he was just a young shepherd.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of 1 Samuel, chapters 16 and 17.
History
When King Saul sinned before the eyes of GOD, the Lord was very displeased with him and commanded Samuel, his prophet, to anoint another man as king after Saul. Samuel followed GOD’s instructions and was led to the home of a man named Jesse, who was from the tribe of Benjamin.
Jesse had eight sons, seven of whom were shown to Samuel, thinking that surely the LORD would choose one of them, since they were strong and good-looking. The Lord, however, told Samuel that he does not consider a person’s outward appearance, but instead looks at his heart, and the prophet was told to anoint the youngest son, who was a shepherd, and was named David.
Later, during the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, a renowned, giant-sized warrior named Goliath challenged the Israelites. Whoever defeated him in battle would make his side win, but no one had the courage to face him.
When David heard GOD’s army challenged, he told King Saul that he would fight the giant. King Saul was worried, since David was not a warrior, but he put on his royal armor giving him his blessing allowed him to challenge Goliath. But David asked for the armor to be removed, as he was not used to it and could not move well with that weight. He chose instead to face the giant simply with his sling.
When the giant saw him, he mocked him for his stature and young age, but David faced him from afar and hurled a stone with his sling at the giant. Goliath fell to the ground, and David beheaded him with the same sword as his enemy. The Philistines tried to flee when their hero died, but the Israeli army caught up with them and struck them down with the sword.
Moral
GOD does not look at a person’s appearance, but instead looks at the heart. He does not need His people wearing royal armor to help them defeat their enemies, but He saves the righteous in every circumstance.
7. Esther
Queen Esther (also called Hadassah) was a brilliant young Jewish woman chosen by GOD to save His people from destruction.
Origin
Old Testament; Book of Esther
History
When King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, he found himself in search of a wife. All the maidens of the kingdom were brought to the palace and given beauty treatments for a year, after which they were sent before the king to choose his wife. When Hadassah was taken, her cousin Mordecai told her not to let anyone know that she was Jewish, because her people were hated among the people, and so she called herself Esther.
The king was fascinated by Esther and chose her to be his queen. During her time as queen, an evil man named Aman convinced the king that all the Jews in the kingdom should be killed. When Mordecai heard about the plan, he informed Esther and told her that she needed to talk to the king. Esther was afraid, because it was forbidden to appear before the king without a summons. Only if the king requested it could the person be called into his presence. But Mordecai told Esther that she absolutely had to try to speak to the king, because GOD had put her in a favorable position so that she could save His people. Queen Esther commanded all the Jews, including herself, to fast for three days, at the end of which she presented herself to the king.
The king was so pleased with his wife that he did not care that he had not summoned her, and because of the exemplary humility with which Esther had presented herself to the ruler, she told him everything and Aman for his cruelty 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.
Moral
GOD raises people to certain positions because He has a plan for them and He will use them to help His people. With humility and righteousness you can reach far, even to become a queen in a foreign land.
8. The Devil’s Temptations in the Desert
Prima di iniziare il Before beginning his ministry, even Jesus had to struggle with temptation.suo ministero, anche Gesù ha dovuto lottare contro la tentazione.
Origin
New Testament; Matthew 4
History
Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert. He was alone and hungry, and the devil came to him trying to tempt him. First to turn stones into bread, but Jesus answered that man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of GOD.
But the devil continued to tempt the teacher, taking Jesus to the highest point of the Holy City, telling him to throw himself down, because if he was the chosen one, the Angels of GOD would save him, as it is written in the Holy Scriptures. Yet Jesus answered him that one should not test the Lord.
The devil then tried to tempt Jesus by promising him kingship over all the kingdoms of the world, provided he would bow down and worship Him. But Jesus rebuked the devil and told him that worship is only for GOD, and so the tempter realized he had failed and left Jesus.
Moral
If you cling to the Word of GOD, no one will be able to trip you up. Even though difficulties will always be around the corner, it will be possible to gain strength and thus we will become even stronger in the Spirit and in faith.
9. Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Jesus was by no means his end.
Origin
New Testament; Gospels and Acts
History
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, and brought to trial before Pontius Pilate. The people urged Pilate to release a thief named Barabbas and crucify Jesus.
They had him scourged and tortured and after carrying his own cross up the hill where he was to be killed. Nailed down and exhausted, Jesus cried out to GOD and then breathed his last. All this happened according to the prophecy that the prophet Isaiah had made, which said that the one GOD had chosen would take the punishment for the sins of His people and die for them.
Moral
Jesus trusted GOD the Father even unto death, and the LORD did not leave His servant alone, resurrecting him and giving him an everlasting name over all men.
10. The Resurrection
La crocifissione di Gesù non affatto fu la sua fine.
Origin
New Testament; Gospels and Acts
History
When Mary Magdalene and others went to anoint with aromatics the body of Jesus who had died on the cross, they found that the stone of the tomb had been moved. When they entered they found a young man dressed in white who said to them, “If you are looking for Jesus the crucified Messiah, he has risen from the dead!”
The women took a great fright because of that vision, and they told no one. Jesus then appeared to others of his followers. Thomas was not present, and he refused to believe until he could put his finger in Jesus’ wounds.
Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed him to touch the sores, so Thomas regretted not believing, and Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Moral
GOD blesses those who have faith, without needing to see tangible evidence. It is said to believe in the unseen, yet absolutely tangible will be the good and happiness that will be poured into the lives of those who believe deep down and do good as commanded.