How to Teach Your Children About Bible Characters
Bible characters can teach children about remaining strong in their convictions in the midst of opposition, enduring tough circumstances through faith, forgiveness toward others and service to the less fortunate. For example, you might talk to them about how Job lost his possessions, children and animals but he never gave up the hope that God would be with him and eventually Job was restored. Another good story for children is about the Jewish queen Esther, who saved her people from persecution by the king's friends, who hated the Jews.
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Instructions
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Tell stories about Bible characters who sinned but were forgiven by God. King David followed God throughout his life and wrote the Psalms, which were praises to God. But he sinned against God by committing murder and adultery. He was restored when he sought God's forgiveness.
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Talk about characters who overcame their limitations. Moses was a great leader who rescued the Israelites from brutal slavery in Egypt. But in the beginning he doubted his abilities to talk to the Pharaoh because he stuttered. Yet God gave him the words to say and he was successful.
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Discuss instances of sibling rivalry in the Bible. Adam and Eve's children Cain and Abel each offered animal sacrifices to God. Although God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice, he wasn't pleased with Cain's sacrifice. Cain grew jealous of Abel for this reason and killed him. Another man, Joseph, was his father's favorite son and as a result his brothers sold him into slavery. Eventually Joseph became free and forgave his brothers.
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Discuss the examples of children in the Bible. For example, Christ healed a little girl and he welcomed children to come to him and listen to him teach. In the Old Testament, God called Samuel to become a prophet when he was a child. David was a boy when he killed Goliath, an enemy of the Israelites, with a sling shot.
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Tips & Warnings
Find Bible-based literature or DVDs. These are good resources because they're able to explain Bible stories in a fun way that children can understand.
Focus on the Family has good resources.
Chick Publications has good Bible-based cartoon mini-books to share with children.
