Jesus goes back to heaven is the retelling of the ascension. After Easter it's good to continue the story to explain what happened next. There are several stories that you could tell; The Road to Emmaus, Thomas and/or Breakfast on the Beach but you can also go straight on to the Ascension. It's important that we… Continue reading Jesus goes back to heaven
Category: Bible storytelling
Make a big book!
Make a big book to use at story time! I'm always looking for a new idea for story time. I like something visual and easy to use. I think it's important to have props that help children and adults listen to the story and enjoy story time. We've completed a Bible Alphabet (a story for… Continue reading Make a big book!
Easy Story Bag Ideas
Story Bag Ideas that are easy to find and use! If you tell Bible Stories in a Toddler Group setting or with young children in Sunday School you will probably have used a Story Bag. (It's slightly different from providing a Story Bag for sharing in a small group or one to one as you… Continue reading Easy Story Bag Ideas
Getting Started in Bible Storytelling!
Getting started in Bible Storytelling in a Toddler Group is sometimes daunting! It isn't just that there are toddlers that we want to keep engaged but their adults are there too. This short course is to help you feel more confident and be well prepared. It can work as a refresher course too. There are… Continue reading Getting Started in Bible Storytelling!
Pringle people to make
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means if you click on the link and purchase the item I will receive commission at no extra cost to you. Here's some instructions on how to make pringle people. They are easy to make and really useful when telling Bible stories. You can… Continue reading Pringle people to make
Stortelling tip #27
storytelling tip#27 is ... Tell it like you mean it Tell your Bible Story with conviction. These are the best stories and we have the privilege of sharing them. Tell them in such a way that your listeners know that the Bible is important to you. Tell them in such a way that your listeners… Continue reading Stortelling tip #27
Stoytelling tip #23
Keep your adult listeners busy When telling a Bible Story to toddlers it helps to keep their adults involved. Encourage everyone to join in with a variety of actions to do, phrases to repeat, sounds to make.
Storytelling tip #22
Repetition is good.. repetition is good.. A phrase that repeats during the story is great for helping everyone to join in. It could be 'can you see him?' for a story about the lost sheep or, 'where is it?' for the lost coin. Have a look at this retelling of The Good Samaritan and spot… Continue reading Storytelling tip #22
Storytelling tip #20
Give your listeners something to do Think - 'are there any actions we could do during this story?' Actions are a good way of getting everyone involved (especially the adults). Looking, walking, running, sleeping, hidingclimbing - all these things can have actions. You don't need too many. But add a few actions if they naturally… Continue reading Storytelling tip #20
Storytelling tip #19
Keep it short Do your best to keep the story short. Toddlers aren't going to listen to a long story. Practice your story - time yourself. Aim for your story to feel short to the listeners. It shouldn't drag or go on and on...
Storytelling tip #18
Be prepared for Christmas! Invite your pastor or a staff member from your church to come to toddler group to tell the Christmas Story. It's an opportunity for them to meet people at the group. And it gives you time to think about the special craft and festive food that you will probably be busy… Continue reading Storytelling tip #18
Storytelling tip #17
Share the load If you can, share the telling of Bible stories with others. We can learn from each other. Be supportive of one another and offer encouragement. It's sometimes really helpful to have an extra pair of hands to hold a storytelling prop; ask for help from others in the team.
Storytelling tip #16
Begin storytime with a song Instead of announcing storytime with, 'It's storytime', start with a song. It will become your theme song that tells everyone that it's time for a story. Choose something simple and easy to join in with. Familiar tunes with your own words are great. Once you have your song stick with… Continue reading Storytelling tip #16
Storytelling tip #15
Involve others Ask for help in collecting items for storytelling props and craft resources. Involve people in your church. Explain what you need and give people the opportunity to join in by collecting cardboard tubes, christmas cards etc. Use your churches' notice sheet to make the needs known and share pictures of the made crafts… Continue reading Storytelling tip #15
Storytelling tip #14
Collect craft ideas for your planned Bible stories Keep your eyes open for craft ideas that fit in with the Bible Stories you are planning to tell. Pinterest is full of ideas that can be used or adapted. There are even some on this blog 🙂 Ideas can come from anywhere! Try out any ideas… Continue reading Storytelling tip #14
Storytelling tip #13
Plan your stories for the year Plan ahead. Look at term dates (use your local school dates) and work out your timetable. Note down any special dates you want to celebrate - Harvest, Christmas, Easter, summer party. Plan your stories for the year ahead. Start with a theme for each half term. Some ideas -… Continue reading Storytelling tip #13
Storytelling tip #12
Collect together resources that can help you Go Teach and Scripture Union have some great resources that will help you tell Bible Stories in Toddler Group. Children's Story Bibles and Bible Story books written for young children can be a big help too. They will give you ideas of how to phrase things and how… Continue reading Storytelling tip #12
Storytelling tip #11
Knit some storytelling characters Knitted toys are some of the best storytelling props you can have. If you can't knit find someone who can. Acrylic yarn is inexpensive and comes in lots of colours. You don't need loads of knitted toys - just a few men and woman with different hair (some grey for older… Continue reading Storytelling tip #11
Storytelling tip #10
Start a file of your storytelling ideas Keeping a collection of ideas is great - if you have a few weeks and you don't know what to do you have ideas to fall back on. Think of themes - homes Jesus visited, stories people told, things God made. Under these headings add specific stories, prop… Continue reading Storytelling tip #10
Storytelling tip #8
Collect items that you can use in storytelling. Taking items from a story bag is great for keeping attention. Props help understanding. Build a collection of items you can use. Blue cloth for sea or sky, toy tools (lots of stories about building), toy animals (creation), a tent to transform into a big fish, a… Continue reading Storytelling tip #8
Storytelling tip #7
Buy or make a story bag that you will love using Taking items out of a storybag during a story builds interest. Use a bag that's large enough and attractive for the children and easy for you to use. No plastic bags!
Storytelling tip #6
Practice what you are going to say Tell your story to yourself. Practice it. Practice using any puppets or props. Get a feel for how it sounds. Don't aim for knowing it word for word - you want to know how the story goes and be so comfortable with it that the telling is fresh… Continue reading Storytelling tip #6
Storytelling tip #5
Use the Bible - not your memory When preparing a Bible story rely on the Bible rather than your memory. Read the story a few times. Get it into your head. Read it out aloud. Sometimes we think we know a Bible story but we've forgotten somthing or added something. So, start with the Bible.
Storytelling tip #1
Make sure everyone can see you It's much easier to listen to the story when you can see the storyteller. Think about where the chairs are placed. If everyone is sitting on the floor kneel or sit on a low chair when you tell the story. You want to be a little higher than the… Continue reading Storytelling tip #1
Palm Sunday Story Video
Palm Sunday Story Video is a short retelling of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. You can read the story in John 12:12-19 https://videopress.com/v/2cM5pVQR?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata I made this video for toddler group. You are very welcome to use it 🙂 Here's a link to a post with a Palm Sunday Story idea and some palm leaf crafts to… Continue reading Palm Sunday Story Video
The Wise Men find The King
This story is from Matthew 2:1-18 To tell the story you need – some Wise Men, toy camels and a star. You can add some actions too – stars with hands (like in twinkle, twinkle little star), running, looking, kneeling. The story Bible Truth for Toddlers – Jesus is King Far away from where Jesus… Continue reading The Wise Men find The King
Homes Jesus visited – The Crowded House (video)
Homes Jesus visited - the crowded house is a short video story for young children to enjoy. It is a retelling of a Bible story from Mark 2:1-22 Take a look at the other videos in the series by vising let their light shine's You Tube channel where you will find stories for young children… Continue reading Homes Jesus visited – The Crowded House (video)
What is God like? Story Series for toddlers
What is God like? Story series for toddlers. This is a great way to teach young children some basic truths about God's character. There is a story from the Bible that teaches one truth about God each week. An alternative title would be ‘What does the Bible tell us about God?’ We answered the question… Continue reading What is God like? Story Series for toddlers
On the Way to Easter…Palm Sunday Story
Jesus rides into Jerusalem
On the Way to Easter…Zacchaeus
Jesus is now in Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. Last time he met Bartimaeus. Now he meets Zacchaeus. Two very different people! To tell the story... from Luke 19:1-10 Have a tree - you can make one from a pringle container or draw one - and a person to represent Zacchaeus. Place Zacchaeus in… Continue reading On the Way to Easter…Zacchaeus
On the Way to Easter…Bartimaeus
On the Way to Easter Bartimaeus. We are beginning to get ready for Easter at toddler group. This year we are going on the last journey that Jesus made into Jerusalem, meeting some of the people that Jesus met. Last week we met the Rich Young Man. This time on the Way to Easter we… Continue reading On the Way to Easter…Bartimaeus
On the Way to Easter.. the Rich Young Man
We are beginning to get ready for Easter at toddler group. This year we are going on the last journey that Jesus made into Jerusalem, meeting some of the people that Jesus met. Our first story is from Luke 18:18-23 and Mark 10:17-22. A rich young man comes to find Jesus as he is travelling… Continue reading On the Way to Easter.. the Rich Young Man
Man with four friends craft
Man with four friends craft is ideal for young children to make with minimal help. Sometimes it's nice to make a craft that you can also use for telling and retelling the Bible story and this craft does just that as you make the man and his mat! The story is from Matthew 9:1-8; Mark… Continue reading Man with four friends craft
Jesus stops the Storm
'Jesus stops the Storm' was another of our weather themed stories at toddler group. It's from Luke 8. It's a great story to tell - lots of drama with the wind blowing and waves crashing, frightened disciples, dark skies and Jesus sleeping! Craft Idea This craft is in two parts; the lake made from a… Continue reading Jesus stops the Storm
Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers
“Hello friends, hello friends. How are you, how are you? It’s time for a story, time for a story. Come and listen, come and listen.” We sing this song to the tune of ‘Frere Jacques’ every week at toddler group. We gather round the story chair in a semi - circle; some sit on the… Continue reading Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers
Jesus goes back to heaven
The content narrates the ascension of Jesus after Easter, emphasizing that He lives forever and will return. It explains Jesus' instructions for His followers to spread the Good News and includes details about visual aids used in storytelling. The narrative concludes with a promise of His eventual return as King.
The Last Supper – Luke 22
The Last Supper. As part of the bigger Easter Story we've told the story of Jesus' last meal with his disciples from Luke 22:7-20. The props are very simple -see the pictures below. The craft is straight forward too and there is a free printable. The Last Supper story idea The big city of Jerusalem… Continue reading The Last Supper – Luke 22
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha are two grown up sisters that we meet in Luke 10:38-42 . They live in Bethany. They are mentioned three times in the Life of Jesus. You can also read about them in John 11 - when their brother Lazarus is bought back to life - and in John 12 - when… Continue reading Mary and Martha
Animal Bible Stories and crafts
I thought I'd put all the animal bible stories and crafts that we've done at toddler group in one place! These are all suitable for under fives. We have ravens, bees, big fish, lions, fox and sheep. Of course you could add Creation and Noah to the list for even more animals! Animal Bible Stories… Continue reading Animal Bible Stories and crafts
Journey to Bethlehem – week 6 – The Shepherds
So far we have had stories about Creation, the Fall, Abraham, the angel visiting Mary and the birth of Jesus. Our last story in our journey to Bethlehem series is all about the shepherds. Luke 2:8-20 Bible Story from Luke 2:8-20 Bible truth for toddlers - Jesus is the Saviour 'The baby sent from God was… Continue reading Journey to Bethlehem – week 6 – The Shepherds
Journey to Bethlehem – week 5 – Jesus is born
This week we arrive in Bethlehem! The story is from Luke 2:1-7. I often start story time by introducing the characters - in this story we'll all say hello to Mary and then to Joseph as I take them out of the story bag. (The knitted characters are from an Alan Dart pattern - available… Continue reading Journey to Bethlehem – week 5 – Jesus is born
Journey to Bethlehem – week 4 – The Angel visits Mary
This week we get very near to Bethlehem! The story is the Angel's visit to Mary from Luke 1:26-38. Bible story – from Luke 1:26-38. (Include actions in the story if you can – ask the children and adults to join in) 'One day Mary was at home. It was just an ordinary day. Mary… Continue reading Journey to Bethlehem – week 4 – The Angel visits Mary
Journey to Bethlehem – week 3 – God’s promise to Abraham
This week the Bible story was all about God's promise to Abraham to give him a huge family and to bless all the people on earth through that family. During the story I use the names Abraham and Sarah for simplicity. (At this point in the Bible they are still using the names Abram and… Continue reading Journey to Bethlehem – week 3 – God’s promise to Abraham
Christmas story paper plates
These paper plates can be used to tell the Christmas story and/or as craft ideas. They need some prep so I'm posting them now! The Angel Gabriel visits Mary - Luke 1:26-38 Jesus is born - Luke 2:1-7 The shepherds are told about the birth of the Saviour - Luke 2:8-21 You can tell… Continue reading Christmas story paper plates
Journey to Bethlehem – Adam and Eve disobey
Adam and Eve break God's law