Trustpilot
Is the Bible Too Violent for Children? A Guide to Tough Stories
Have you ever been reading a storybook bible at bedtime and suddenly felt the urge to skip a page or "edit" a sentence?
One minute, you’re reading about a nice boat with animals, and the next, you’re trying to explain why the rest of the world was covered in a flood. Or perhaps you’re looking at the story of David and Goliath and wondering if the "victory" is a bit too graphic for a five-year-old.
At Eden, we understand that "Sunday School" versions of stories can sometimes feel a bit different when you sit down to read the actual text. You want your child to love the Word, but you don’t want to scare them. Here is our guide to navigating those non-U-rated moments with grace.
The Reality: The Bible is a Mirror, Not a Fable
It’s helpful to remember that the Bible isn't a book of "good advice" or perfect heroes making flawless decisions. Instead, it is a realistic look at the human race. It shows us that people can be messy, selfish, and sometimes even violent.
The reason these stories are there isn't to shock us, but to show us how much we need a strong, wise, and loving God to come and rescue us. The darkness of a story shows us the goodness of God and the light of Jesus.
Three Steps to Navigating Tough Stories
To help your child succeed in understanding the whole Bible, we suggest this simple plan:
1. Match the Story to the Stage: Most children's Bibles for very young kids (under 5) will naturally focus on God's love and the "highlights." This is okay! You don't need to explain the full complexity of Old Testament battles to a toddler. Focus on the "God is with us" message for now.
2. Use "The Fall" as the Framework: When your child gets older (ages 7+) and starts asking, "Why did that happen?", point them back to the beginning. Explain that when people walked away from God in the Garden of Eden, the world broke. Violence and sadness are signs that the world isn't the way God intended it to be, which is exactly why He sent Jesus to fix it.
3. Always End at the Cross The most "violent" story in the Bible is actually the most important one: the crucifixion of Jesus. We don't need to show graphic pictures, but we do need to tell the story. Why? Because it shows that God isn't surprised by tragedy. He entered into the "mess" of our world to win the ultimate victory over death and sadness.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Your goal isn't to have all the answers, but to show your child that they can bring their big questions to God. As they grow and graduate into youth Bibles, they will have the tools to wrestle with these topics themselves.
By being honest about the "tough parts" today, you are building a foundation of trust that will last a lifetime. You are showing them that the Bible is big enough and strong enough for the real world.
Ready to explore the "Big Picture" with your family? Shop Children’s Bibles today.
