The average children’s Bible has about 100 stories. The real Bible has many more. Every story matters. But what are the basic stories kids need to understand to have a full grasp on the Bible? What stories are so basic to the Gospel that omitting them would leave a big whole in their worldview? Here’s what I came up with.
13 Bible Stories You Must Teach Every Child
- God created the world and everything in contains (including people) for his glory. (Genesis 1-2)
- Our first parents, Adam and Eve, rejected God’s rule and fell into a state of sin and misery. (Genesis 3-4)
- God calls Abraham and establishes a covenant with him. (Genesis 12-23, Galatians 3:6-9)
- God delivers his people from slavery in Egypt and keeps his promises to Abraham. (Exodus, Deuteronomy 26:8-9)
- God makes David the King of his people and promises a forever kingdom. (1 Samuel 16, 2 Samuel 7)
- God’s people suffer exile for their sin, but God promises a forever kingdom (2 Kings 17:18-20; 35-41, Romans 11:1-6, Jeremiah 29:10-14)
- Jesus is born the Son of God, heir of Abraham and David (Matthew 1, Luke 2:11)
- Jesus dies on the cross to remove the sins of God’s people. (Matthew 27, Romans 5:6-8)
- God raises Jesus from death. (Matthew 28, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Peter 1:21)
- Jesus takes his throne in heaven (Acts 1:1-11)
- The Holy Spirit gives power to the disciples (Acts 2, Galatians 5:22-25)
- The Return of Jesus (John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
- The Kingdom of God on Earth – New Creation (Revelation 21, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
I would love to hear your feedback. Originally, I wanted to make this a top ten list – but there was just too much to cover. What would you add or take away?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris 11.05.07 at 11:44 pm
this is great.
would you recomend teaching one a month, this would be 13 months, or just over a year
GUNNY HARTMAN 11.06.07 at 1:15 am
I actually like it being 13, so that they could be used to cover a quarter’s worth of lessons.
I’ll have to cogitate further about things to add, but I’m thinking along the lines of some story of Jesus’ interaction with people to indicate the nature of discipleship.
Perhaps the catching of fish story which precedes, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Tony Kummer 11.06.07 at 4:10 pm
Chris - I try to return to these main stories several times a year in different formats. I could see doing them all week-by-week.
Gunny - In Baptist land we are definitely tied to a quarterly calender for Sunday school. Good point about them fitting in nicely.
I like your idea about discipleship. But what lesson would you drop? Maybe it could go under the Holy Spirit since now the disciples have the power to be God’s witnesses and become fishers of men.
Jared Kennedy 11.08.07 at 4:59 pm
Tony, you included the deliverance from Egypt but not the giving of the Law and the Ten Commandments. Is there a reason why?
BTW, I love this bible overview idea. I may be crazy, but I think it would work well for a two-week VBS for kids and adults.
Ruth Jessup 11.10.07 at 5:17 pm
I have found 2 Kings 2:23-24 to be of immeasurable help in teaching my children to respect their elders. I’m not sure which on your list it would replace, but maybe you could have 14.
GUNNY HARTMAN 11.10.07 at 11:57 pm
14?! Ruth, are you serious?!
I’m a Baptist, so 14 is right out.
Ruth Jessup 11.11.07 at 1:57 pm
Sorry, I lost my head!
GUNNY HARTMAN 11.11.07 at 4:03 pm
Ruth,
Walk down the aisle, rededicate your life, and all will be forgiven.
Actually, I might incorporate 6 into 5 to free up an extra slot on the depth chart.
Tony Kummer 11.12.07 at 2:09 pm
Jared - I guess I was combining the whole event of law and Exodus in my mind with the God keeping his word to Abraham. But that would be a very quick treatment for one lesson!