Telling Stories

Telling Stories

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)

ALL CHILDREN LOVE STORIES. When they are small, we read to them, and the story often leads to exciting conversations. Stories stimulate emotions. Asking children, “How does that make you feel?” is a way of helping them learn to express emotions. Children also like to hear about your childhood. Parents and grandparents give the child a sense of belonging and family history when they share such stories.

If you have children, remember that reading and telling stories is one way to give a child quality time. For those brief moments, the child has your undivided attention. If this is the child’s primary love language, then nothing is more important in making him or her feel loved. When you meet a child’s need for love, you are laying the foundation for a bright future.

The Bible is also clear that telling stories of the faith is an important way to teach our children about God. Whether we’re retelling events from the Bible or sharing about how God worked in our lives today, we can set a strong foundation of faith—even as we spend important minutes with our kids. Your whole family will benefit.

Lord God, there is so much I want to communicate to my children. Help me to take the time to talk, to connect, to tell stories, and especially to teach about you. Please help my spouse and me to be good partners in parenting as well.

Children