Storytelling - Classic Ways to teach Bible Stories so Kids Listen (and Participate)

In the previous posts of this series, we explored the importance of knowing God’s story and translating it in ways that connect with children. Now, we’ll dive into the art of storytelling—learning how to share these stories in ways that not only captivate kids but also invite them to participate and experience the narrative on a deeply personal level.

When I lead Sunday School, I rely heavily on repetition, teaching a single story for multiple weeks. This approach allows children to grow familiar with the narrative, gain a sense of mastery over its details, and take the time to explore its deeper meanings. Repeating the same story also provides opportunities to share it in various ways. Each time I tell the story, I use a different storytelling technique, keeping it fresh and engaging.

This practice of repetition is a bit like a child-friendly version of Lectio Divina—a meditative way of engaging with scripture through repeated readings and intentional reflection on what God might be speaking through the words. Repetition has proven to be incredibly fruitful, fostering a depth of understanding and connection to the Biblical narrative that I could never have anticipated.

Whenever I introduce a new story, I almost always begin with a classic technique. Classic storytelling techniques remain some of the most powerful tools in a teacher’s toolbox. It can be used to teach your own lesson and it can go along with any purchased curriculum. These techniques require minimal preparation, are easy to learn, and allow the storyteller’s passion to shine—passion that grows out of a personal connection and understanding formed during time spent studying God’s Word. They don't require many supplies, extra volunteers, skit rehearsals or video screens and they move beyond passive listening by connecting the audience to the storyteller. Classic storytelling has a remarkable ability to hold a child’s attention, foster genuine engagement, and spark meaningful conversations.

Here are a few tips and tricks that apply to all of the techniques:

Practice the story beforehand. Familiarity with the story builds confidence, allowing you to focus on engaging with children rather than worrying about what comes next.
Include your study. Add relevant insights you discovered during your scripture study time (see: Knowing God's Story), making the story more meaningful and relatable for children. This might include explaining specific words, relevant biblical context, historical/cultural background, etc.
Speak quietly to begin with. It may seem counterintuitive, but speaking softly captures attention and encourages children to listen closely. Speaking loudly often invites competition, with kids trying to "speak over you."
Go slow. Read or tell the story at a pace that gives children time to absorb it. Pause during moments that might inspire reactions, thoughts, or reflections.
Use expression. Let the tone of your voice, the inflection of your words, and the expression on your face reflect the emotions and moments in the story. Tell the story with the same enthusiasm and connection you would share a favorite personal story, bringing it to life for your listeners.
Hold off on conversation (unless it’s a purposeful pause from the story) Kids might blurt out short responses while you’re telling the story, and that’s okay—it shows they’re engaged! These instinctive reactions often provide a glimpse into how they’re beginning to connect with the narrative. It’s a special moment to witness their “aha” realizations in real time. Save more in-depth questions and discussions for after the story is complete.
Watch the children. Pay attention to their eyes, body language, and expressions. These nonverbal cues help you gauge their engagement and adjust your storytelling accordingly.

A quick note before we dive in: these techniques are not new or revolutionary. Many of you are probably already using these methods in your own Sunday School classrooms—and that’s fantastic! If you are, I hope reading through these tips will inspire you to keep doing what you’re doing or give you the freedom to skip the suggested drama in your curriculum and just keep things simple. There’s no need for complex or flashy methods when the story itself can do so much to engage kids.

Here are five classic storytelling techniques that I’ve found to be especially effective:

Read It Right from the Bible
One of the simplest ways to tell a Bible story is by reading it directly from scripture. Choose a translation that is accessible for kids and use some of the following suggestions to engage children in the process:

Provide Listening Cues: Before reading, invite the children to listen for something specific—such as their favourite part, something surprising, a detail about God, or a lesson they can learn. Tailor the cue to match the story you’re telling.
Pause to Explain Details: Stop at key moments to explain background context, clarify unfamiliar words, or describe significant cultural or historical references. This helps children grasp the deeper meaning of the story as they hear it.
Encourage Visualization: Ask children to close their eyes and imagine the story as if they’re watching it unfold in real life. Afterward, ask what scene stood out most vividly in their imagination and invite them to describe it.
Watch for Engagement: Pay attention to the children’s body language, facial expressions, and reactions. Be ready to respond to their unspoken curiosity or to engage briefly with their spontaneous comments.
Turn It Into a Dialogue: While reading, pause occasionally to ask simple questions like, “What do you think happens next?” or “How do you think this person felt?” This keeps them engaged and invites them into the story.
Incorporate Movement: Add simple gestures or actions to help younger children engage physically with the story. For example, they can pretend to scoop up food when Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes or wave their arms to mimic the parting of the Red Sea. For older children, turn it into a deeper activity by inviting them to “search for God’s fingerprints” in the story. As they listen, encourage them to clap their hands when they hear something that shows evidence of God's presence. Pause to discuss their observations and explore how they identified God’s presence in the narrative.

Recite the Story from Memory
Memorizing the story allows you to present it with more fluidity and emotion. Instead of reading directly from the Bible, I focus on memorizing the key details of the story—enough to capture the heart of the narrative. Without the need to read, I can better engage with the children, making eye contact and using facial expressions to connect with them. This method creates a more interactive experience and fosters a deeper connection with the story. It also gives me the freedom to share insights from my own study, adding richness and depth. This technique is an oral tradition—much like the way Bible stories were originally passed down—and is one of the most natural and powerful ways to share stories with others.

Storytelling with Pictures
Using visuals is another great way to tell a Bible story. This method is similar to reading a picture book or using old-school flannelgraph images but is less dependent on purchasing materials.
Free Bible Images (freebibleimages.org) provides thousands of options from drawings and cartoons to photography that help to recreate biblical stories. You can search through their database by story or character. I select images that best suit my needs—sometimes just two or three from a set, while other times, the entire set works perfectly. Next, I use my own narrative instead of the text provided. This narrative blends scripture with contextual teaching, much like the storytelling approaches mentioned earlier.

I display the images either on a projector or on printed sheets of paper - I've found that both methods work equally well. As I narrate, I move through the images to match the flow of the story, just like flipping pages in a storybook. Afterwards I ask questions like "How did these pictures help tell the story? What would you have drawn or photographed differently?' If the story involves emotions, I'll ask, "What do you think this person was feeling? Why?" These questions spark meaningful conversations and help the children engage with the story on a deeper level.
Drawing a Story
This technique also uses visuals but relies on your own drawing. I set myself up at a whiteboard and sketch key characters, objects, or events as the story unfolds. Let me be clear: I am not an artist. My drawings are basic stick-figure illustrations, but that seems to be part of the charm. Kids love the simplicity and often find my novice attempts hilarious. If you are a skilled illustrator, this technique might become something truly special. Watching someone excel at a talent is always inspiring, and it’s a unique way to connect with the children, perhaps even sparking a love for drawing in some of them. If you have a talented illustrator in your congregation, consider inviting them to draw the story while you narrate—a wonderful way to build intergenerational connections.
Occasionally, I turn this technique into a drawing challenge by inviting a child to draw alongside me. As I narrate the story, I describe each element for us to draw together. For example, during a story like Palm Sunday, I might guide them in drawing a donkey, a city gate, and a palm branch while explaining the events. The child volunteer’s drawings inevitably outshine mine, and the audience loves the playful competition, which adds a fun, interactive layer to the storytelling.
Story Sticks
Story sticks are a different addition to this list as it does require a specific supply. I first came across this idea a few years ago, but because my small church budget couldn’t afford the pre-made sets, I made my own using sticks using cardstock and grommets. (If you have access to a Cricut cutting machine, this makes the process much faster!) The idea is simple: you have different images or symbols created with a story stick that represent key elements of the story. As you tell the story, you hold up the corresponding symbol. This works best if the teacher has a set (typically larger in size) and children have their own mini set. I keep the mini set in storage so that it can be used over and over again. We even have a set made out of neon posterboard so that it glows under black light - this is extra fun!

To get an idea but this resource I'd suggest checking out these two videos (Advertisement about story sticks & Older video demonstration using paper sticks).

Once I learned a few stories with pre-made resources, I started creating my own actions and symbols - I can customize the whole story to my teaching style and theological focus.

It’s funny to me that I’m starting with these five techniques as my first examples of storytelling. I’ve developed a bit of a reputation for creating unique and memorable experiences in Sunday School—those moments that make kids and parents alike take notice. But what people might not see at first is that my ultimate goal is always the same: a deep desire to get kids truly involved in God’s story. You don’t need big or elaborate methods to make that happen. In fact, these five classic storytelling techniques are simple and unflashy—and that’s precisely what makes them so effective.

The starting point for engaging kids in God’s story is to tell it simply, allowing the story itself to capture their attention, spark curiosity, and speak to their hearts. I’m not interested in passively entertaining children; I want them to be active participants—listening, reflecting, and responding.

In the next few blogs, I’ll share storytelling techniques that build on these classics and add a touch more creative flair while still focusing on active participation. But no matter how inventive we get, I’m a firm believer in starting with simplicity.

What simple storytelling techniques do you return to again and again? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!