Child Discipleship, Child Evangelism, Children, Parent, Sunday School

Why Stories Are the Best Way to Teach God’s Truths to Children

by Jebichii Kimulwo

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

If you’ve ever spent time with children, you already know something powerful: children love stories. Their eyes light up, they lean in, their imaginations spark—and in those moments, deep truths are planted in their hearts.

That’s why storytelling is such a timeless and effective way to teach children about God.

Why Stories Stick

In traditional African communities, storytelling wasn’t just for fun—it was the main form of education. Children learned values, caution, and courage through tales of ogres who pretended to be men, only to reveal their true selves in the forest. These stories were rich with moral lessons, and children remembered them for life.

Why? Because stories trigger emotions, and emotions are the gateway to the subconscious mind. Here’s what that means:

  • Emotions create lasting imprints in the brain.
  • When a child hears a story that makes them laugh, cry, or feel brave, that emotion helps the lesson stick.
  • Over time, these emotional connections shape their belief systems—what they believe about God, themselves, and the world.
  • And from those beliefs flow their actions and identity.

In short: stories shape the heart. And that’s exactly where God’s truths are meant to live.

Jesus Taught in Stories

Jesus, the Master Teacher, often used parables—simple, memorable stories that revealed deep truths about the Kingdom of God.

Some examples include:

  • The Good Samaritan – Teaching compassion and mercy (Luke 10:25–37)
  • The Prodigal Son – Revealing the Father’s love and forgiveness (Luke 15:11–32)
  • The Lost Sheep – Showing the value of every person to God (Luke 15:1–7)
  • The Wise and Foolish Builders – Teaching the importance of obeying God’s Word (Matthew 7:24–27)

These stories weren’t just sermons—they were experiences. Children (and adults!) could see themselves in the characters, feel the emotions, and carry the lessons with them.

What Kind of Stories Can You Tell?

There are so many wonderful stories you can share with the children in your life:

  • Bible Stories – From Noah to Esther, David to Jesus, Scripture is filled with stories that teach faith, obedience, courage, and love.
  • Missionary Stories – Real-life faith adventures from people like Corrie ten Boom, Jim Elliot, or Gladys Aylward show children how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.
  • Testimonies of Other Children – Hearing how kids just like them are trusting Jesus can make faith feel real and possible.
  • Modern-Day Christian Stories – Share about faithful Christians you know or read about.
  • Made-Up Stories with a Message – Create characters and situations that relate to what your child is going through—fear, selfishness, forgiveness—and show them how God can help.

Tips to Make Storytelling More Impactful

Here are a few tips to get started or take your storytelling to the next level:

1. Use Visuals

Children are often visual learners. Illustrations, picture cards, or even videos can make a story come alive. You can:

2. Make It Relatable

Use names and scenarios they understand. For example, instead of “a boy in a faraway land,” say “a boy named James who lived in a small town just like ours.”

3. Target Their Needs

Is your child struggling with fear? Tell the story of David and Goliath.
Are they learning to share? The story of the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch can inspire generosity.
Customize your storytelling to speak directly to their heart.

4. Involve Them

Ask questions. Let them guess what happens next. Act it out together. Children learn more when they’re actively involved.

A Call to Action

Whether you’re a parent, Sunday school teacher, or Bible club leader—don’t underestimate the power of a good story.

God wired children to learn this way. And He gave you the privilege of planting seeds of faith in their hearts.

You don’t need to be a professional storyteller. Just be willing. Be intentional. Choose stories that reveal God’s love, truth, and power—and watch how those stories begin to shape the hearts and minds of the next generation.

✨ Start today. Pick a story. Gather the kids. Let God speak through your voice. ✨

Need help?
Paidion offers ready-to-use Bible visuals and resources to make your storytelling come alive. Browse our collection and begin sharing powerful faith-filled stories today.