This month, I want to share what we’ve been doing with Ari and how switching to Bible Visuals International has completely changed how we do faith learning at home. I was honestly so excited when I found them. It felt like I’d finally discovered the resource I didn’t even know I needed.
Why This Matters (Especially at This Age)
Toddlers are curious, full of questions, and constantly testing boundaries. Sound familiar?
That’s exactly why teaching Bible stories to toddlers in a simple, engaging way matters. I really wanted Ari to understand that there are right choices and wrong choices, and that there’s love and forgiveness at the center of it all.
We started with a story series on Sin and Its Wages. Because let’s be real, choosing to listen or not listen is literally a toddler’s daily battle. Having a strong foundation in faith is something I deeply value, so this felt like the right place to begin.
Memory Verse of the Month: Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
To be honest, I taught Ari this using memory verse visuals, and he actually got it. But I do think making it even more real for your little one with a fun object lesson can go a long way.
Memory Verse Visual I used for Ari from Bible Visuals International
The Gift Object Lesson
Wrap a lovely gift, something your child’s been asking for.
Then wrap a second “gift” in a not-so-pretty, messy wrapper.
Use this to show the contrast between the result of sin (the not-so-great “gift”) and the gift of God (eternal life, the beautiful one!). Talk about how when we sin, it separates us from God, but choosing what’s right leads to life.
This opens up beautiful conversations about Jesus’ death and resurrection — and how He gives us new life when we believe in Him.
💡 A Little Lightbulb Moment on Sin
One thing I’ve been learning is this: when it comes to teaching Bible stories to toddlers, especially about sin, it’s not just about pointing out what they did wrong.
We also have to teach them what to do instead. Kids need training. They need words. They need Scripture to understand not just what sin is but how to walk in love, patience, and obedience.
I’ve been learning this from listening to Ginger Hubbard. She has such a heart for gospel centered parenting and created this excellent chart (physical and digital) that you can hang on your fridge or keep in a drawer. It is called Wise Words for Mom. You can check it out here.
It walks through everyday toddler moments like whining or hitting, and gently ties them to:
- What the Bible says
- What your child can say or do instead
For example:
If a child yells at their sibling, the chart might point you to:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths…” — Ephesians 4:29
Then encourage: “Let’s try saying that in a kind voice.”
I try to use this as much as I can, though I definitely fall short. But that’s part of the journey, right? What matters most to me is helping Ari see that God is our ultimate authority, the One we listen to, trust, and follow.
Even when I don’t get it right, I want him to know we can always go back to God’s Word. It is our anchor, our guide, and full of grace.
The Stories We’re Learning This Month
We’re working through these four stories from the Bible Visuals International series:
- Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
- A Sick Man, Four Friends, and Jesus
- Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda
- Sin and Its Wages
The pictures that come with each story are such a game-changer; they make teaching Bible stories to toddlers so much more vivid.
How We Make It Stick
1. Tell
Use voice changes, facial expressions, and your full storytelling energy! The more I put myself into the story, the more Ari listens. Toddlers love drama, so give it to them in a fun way.
2. Show
Bible Visuals International includes printable PDFs with clear, realistic pictures. I use them like PowerPoint slides while telling the story.
We pause to talk about what’s happening in each picture, which makes teaching Bible stories to toddlers feel more like an adventure than a lecture.
3. Review and Do
Ask questions like:
- “So what happened next?”
- “Why do you think Jesus healed him?”
- “Would you carry your friend to Jesus too?”
You can also use sequencing cards. I bought a few activities from Etsy: coloring pages, mini crafts, and even matching games that reinforce the story in fun ways. You can check out some I found on Etsy
- Jesus and the Pool at Bethesda
- Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Craft, Printable Miracles of Jesus Activity for Kids
They’re super helpful for reinforcing what happened in the right order and checking how well your little one followed the story.
After every story, we do a little something with our hands.
🧡 Final Thoughts
There’s no one perfect way to share the Bible with your toddler. What matters is starting.
Whether it’s with coloring pages, stories at bedtime, or your child asking, “Why did Jesus do that?” — every moment counts.
Teaching Bible stories to toddlers doesn’t have to be complicated. Just consistent.
And a little creative. If you want some guidelines on teaching creation, Noah’s ark, and Adam and Eve, you can check this blog post to get started.
Tell, show, review & do… love this. Like the gift idea, too. Your blog is so inspiring and motivating. Thank you for sharing!