How the Bible came into being: explained in a child-friendly way

The Bible is more than just an old book. It is like a treasure chest full of stories about God and humankind. But who actually wrote it?

What is the best way to explain to children how the Bible came into being? For example, we can tell them that the Bible is like a big treasure chest, full of stories, songs, wisdom, and accounts. These texts were written by many different people, some of whom lived thousands of years ago. So the Bible is not a book written by one single person, but is a collection of many different books by many different writers. 

God Himself is the author of these books. However, He did not write them Himself, but chose human beings to write about their experiences with Him and His work in the world. These texts reflect the experiences and sentiments of these people. This means that the authors have left their mark on the biblical text—but its core message comes from God. 

With the following images and thoughts, parents and teachers can help children understand how the Bible came into being and, at the same time, give them a deeper understanding of the significance of this special book. For the Bible is not just a collection of old stories, but a living testimony of how God revealed Himself to humankind, and continues to do so. 

The Bible explained

• An image that can help children: imagine God is like an artist who has many different brushes in His hand. Every brush is a little different; one paints fine lines, another thick strokes. But the artist is the same, and in the end, a large and beautiful picture emerges. It is the same with the Bible. 
  
• Another image: you can compare the Holy Spirit to the wind that propels a sailing ship. Without the wind, the ship would lie motionless; with the wind, it can travel far. In the same way, the Holy Spirit inspired the people who wrote the biblical texts. They did not simply put their own ideas on paper, but were guided by God to write exactly what He wanted. 
  
• The Bible is not a complete account of everything God has ever done. It tells us what is important for our lives and our faith. The Bible is therefore like a large compass that points us in the right direction and helps us find the right path in life. God still speaks to us today through the Bible when we read it. And the more we read and study the Bible, the better we understand what God wants to tell us. 

Photo: AI-generated

About the author

Maraike Finnern is a teacher and school counsellor at a primary school in Hamburg, Germany. She heads the Working Group Children and Teaching for the Regional Church of Northern and Eastern Germany.