Category Sunday School

“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:

• Download Bible story visuals online
• Use AI tools to create custom illustrations
• Or purchase high-quality visuals from Paidion designed especially for children’s Bible lessons

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.

Schools across Kenya have closed, and children are home for the holidays. If you’re a parent, teacher, or guardian, this isn’t just a shift in schedule; it’s an amazing opportunity.

As a parent myself, I now understand what many parents used to say: “The holidays are hard.” Why? Because the structure we relied on, school routines, quiet work hours, and predictable rhythms, is suddenly gone. The children are home full-time.

But here’s a question that’s been stirring in my heart:

What if this holiday isn’t a disruption but an invitation to be intentional?

God has been teaching me to approach every part of my life with purpose, including parenting and ministry. I believe this school holiday can be a time of planting seeds in our children that will shape their hearts, minds, and futures.

---

Why Intentionality Matters

Children don’t thrive in chaos; they flourish in environments that are predictable, engaging, and nurturing. Without a plan, the weeks ahead may slide into endless screen time, unhealthy habits, and spiritual stagnation.

This is not just a parenting issue, it’s a discipleship issue.

“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
— Proverbs 20:7

---

Parents, This Is Your Call to Action

Here’s how to make the most of this holiday break:

1. Have a Content Plan

Don’t leave it to chance. Be deliberate about what your children are watching, reading, and listening to.

• Select wholesome books and faith-based videos.
  
• Use parental controls if needed.
  
• If your children are older, involve them in choosing content and discuss why some things are allowed and others aren’t.
  

📚 Tip: Create a “Holiday Watch & Read List” and stick it on the fridge. Include selected YouTube channels, devotionals, movies, and books.

2. Schedule Connection Time

Set aside time daily or weekly just to hang out. No lecturing. No correcting. Just laughter, games, walks, and storytelling. Research in psychology shows that secure parent-child relationships are built in these unstructured, relaxed moments.

As Peter Tan-Chi wisely says, “These are golden moments. When children feel safe and loved, they open up.”

• Play games
  
• Bake together
  
• Ask open-ended questions about their dreams or thoughts
  

3. Train Them in Responsibility

Teach your children to work. Assign chores and follow through.

A famous TED Talk by Julie Lythcott-Haims (former Stanford Dean) emphasized that doing chores is one of the best predictors of success in life. It builds responsibility, teamwork, and resilience.

• Teach them to cook simple meals
  
• Rotate cleaning tasks
  
• Make it fun and age-appropriate
  

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10

---

Sunday School Teachers, Rise to the Occasion

The school holiday doesn’t mean spiritual growth should pause. In fact, children are now available for extended discipleship.

Could you organize a Bible Club or a Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) in your church or community?

These programs are not only fun—they are life-changing. Through songs, memory verses, crafts, and Bible lessons, children encounter God in a personal way.

“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

At Paidion, we can help you plan, organize, and run a Bible Club or DVBS. We provide:

• Lesson plans
  
• Teaching materials
  
• Songs and memory verses
  
• Craft ideas
  

📩 Get in touch with us if you’d like help. You don’t need to do it alone.

---

The Future Belongs to the Intentional

We are not just babysitting children; we are raising the next generation of leaders, pastors, thinkers, and godly men and women. The spiritual, emotional, and practical investments we make during these holiday weeks could shape their futures forever.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6

---

✅ Parents:

This is the time to step up. Make a plan. Spend the time. Train with love.

✅ Teachers:

Don’t wait until Sunday. Use this holiday to disciple the children in your care deeply and creatively.

📝 Take Action Today:

• Draft a weekly holiday schedule for your children
  
• Pick 3–5 books or videos for their holiday learning
  
• Plan at least one family hangout every week
  
• Organize or join a Bible Club or DVBS
  

📩 Need help? Contact us at Paidion. We’re here to walk with you.

Let’s make this holiday count—for eternity.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” — Romans 8:11

I have a nephew who was diagnosed with autism. As a family, we’re still praying and trusting God for his complete healing. Yet in one moment of prayer, I sensed the Lord gently whisper to me—not only to pray for recovery, but also to begin to speak into his future. A future filled with joy, purpose, and the fullness of who God created him to be.

That moment changed me.

You see, he’s not defined by a diagnosis. He is full of joy. He gives the warmest hugs. He shares his food with everyone in the house. His heart is big, and his spirit—it’s alive. And I believe God’s love is already speaking to him in ways I may never fully understand.

Differently Abled… but Fully Alive in Spirit

Whether a child is on the autism spectrum, has cerebral palsy, ADHD, or any other condition, their spirit is not broken. Their bodies or minds may function differently, but they are not disconnected from the presence or love of God.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

Psychology affirms what Scripture already knows: connection and love are human needs—not just cognitive ones. Even non-verbal children form bonds, recognize emotion, and respond to love. According to child development experts, the limbic system (the emotional brain) develops early and can perceive affection, warmth, and safety before a child even speaks. How much more can the Holy Spirit, who searches hearts (Romans 8:27), reach deep into theirs?

The Spirit Speaks Spirit

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” — Romans 8:16

Did you know that sharing God’s Word with differently abled children is ministering directly to their spirit?

The Holy Spirit is not limited by speech delays, intellectual capacity, or developmental age. He bypasses all barriers and speaks spirit to spirit. That means your words, your worship, your prayers—He takes them and translates them straight to their hearts.

John Fenn once shared about his adult son with cerebral palsy, whose mind is still that of a 4-year-old. And yet, this young man knows Jesus. He smiles at His name. He recognizes His presence. His spirit is very much alive, because God is not bound by intellect. He is bound by love.

---

So, How Can You Share God’s Love With Them?

Here are gentle, Spirit-led ways to invite differently abled children into the experience of God’s love:

1. Tell Them God’s Stories

Read them Bible stories. Keep it simple and visual. Tell them about David and Goliath, Jesus and the little children, the loving Father, and the Good Shepherd. Share stories of people who loved God and of how God loves them too.

2. Sing to Them and With Them

Music is powerful. Many children with autism or learning disabilities respond to rhythm and melody even when words are difficult. Let them hear Christian music. Sing softly over them. Let them dance, hum, clap—whatever their worship looks like.

“The Lord your God is with you… He will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

3. Pray With Them (Even If They Don’t Pray Back)

Teach them to talk to Jesus in the simplest ways:

• “Thank you, Jesus.”
  
• “Jesus, help me.”
  
• “Jesus, I’m sad today.”
  
• “Jesus, I love you.”
  

Model prayer in everyday moments. You might not see immediate responses, but you are sowing seeds into eternal ground.

4. Teach Scripture—Simply

Start with one verse at a time. Maybe:

• “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
  
• “Jesus loves me.” (John 15:9)
  
• “I am not afraid.” (Psalm 56:3)
  

Use repetition. Turn verses into songs. Add hand motions. Let God’s Word take root in their hearts.

5. Let Their Spirit Lead

If they respond strongly to a song, repeat it. If they smile at the name of Jesus, linger there. Watch how the Holy Spirit moves in and through them, sometimes in ways more pure than we can grasp.

---

Keep Planting. One Day You’ll See the Bloom.

“Let the little children come to me… for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” — Mark 10:14

Even when you think they’re not listening, keep sharing His love. Don’t neglect their spirit just because their mind seems unreachable. God is always reaching.

One day, you’ll be surprised by the fruit. You’ll see a smile when they hear worship. A moment of peace during prayer. A word spoken back when you least expect it. These are the miracles of God at work in the unseen.

Because the truth is—their spirit is listening.