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. Vivid imagery and simple comparisons help children understand how the Bible came into being and why it is still so important today.

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. All these texts were written by very different people, some of whom lived many thousands of years ago. The Bible is therefore not a book written by a single person, but 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. He chose human beings to write about their experiences with Him and His work in the world. That means that the biblical text bears the mark of these human beings and reflects their experiences and sentiments, 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, the other 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 remain stationary; with the wind, you 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. Through the Bible, God wants to show us who He is, how He sees the world, and what He expects of us.
  
• 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 Scriptures are therefore like a large compass that point us in the right direction and help 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.