storytelling the bible for my girls

I’m teaching a series at church this month, and today I got to kick it off (and honor the upcoming International Women’s Day) by telling the stories of Judith and Susanna. It was a blast. Most people had never heard the stories before since they’re in the Apocrypha (which most Protestants were raised to see as dangerous/heretical). But the stories are so powerful. And getting to share them today with a congregation who was excited to hear and engage them made me so happy. 

But not as happy as what happened at home. 

For someone who cares as much and as deeply about the Bible as I do, I don’t talk about it much at home with our girls. I just haven’t known how to share it in ways that were helpful. But recently, particularly through a few great conversations on our podcast with parenting and faith experts, I was reminded how much I want to share the stories that mean so much to me. I don’t have a children’s Bible that I trust though, so I decided I’d have to go back to the basics.

Last night, while helping Lucy get ready for bed, I asked if she wanted to hear one of the stories I’d be teaching tomorrow. She said yes. So I started telling the story of Judith, which I’ve never heard or told in child’s terms before. It felt like it came out a bit rough to me, as I tried to emphasize the points I thought were crucial - Judith’s confidence, capability, and courage. 

I couldn’t quite tell how the story was landing, but she listened intently. When I was done, I said, “So that’s a cool woman from that Bible, kind of like Esther.”

“Who’s Esther?”

“Do you want to hear that story?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, well once upon a time, there was a king who was looking for a wife” - 

“Wait, can you tell me in bed?” 

So when I came to give her my usual goodnight tuck-in, I climbed into bed and told the story. She was enthralled (but she liked Judith better, as did I!). 

Then today at lunch, she turns to her sister and says, “Zinni you’re gonna love these stories. Shel, can you tell about Judith and Esther again?” So we got out a cast of Barbies and told the stories again, full of excitement and laughter and added details. 

After what feels like a long season of not know how to engage this with our children, I’m finally feeling it. And I could not love this feeling more. I can’t wait to see how the stories - told intentionally - can shape and inspire and teach them in the way they should go.