As we have discussed in previous blogs, bedtime is an excellent time to share Bible stories with our children. The stories, challenges, and encouragement found in the New Testament offer many examples from the Lord Himself and from His Disciples of how to live a life devoted to God. These stories are therefore an excellent source of bedtime stories and can easily be incorporated into the family bedtime routine.
As with the Old Testament stories we suggested before, New Testament stories can be either read or told to younger children. Older children may prefer to help with the reading. This reading can come straight out of the Scriptures, if desired, or from a story book. Whatever the means, it is vital that we help our children to learn the stories in the Holy Scriptures. Sharing Bible stories (as well as non-story Scriptures) at bedtime is one way that we can make that happen!
Here are a few suggestions of New Testament stories that may be helpful to children at bedtime:
Stories full of the joy that comes from God:
Elizabeth is Expecting a Baby (Luke 1:5-25)
Mary Says “Yes” to God (Luke 1:26-38)
Elizabeth and Mary Happily Thank God Together (Luke 1:39-56)
His Name Is John (Luke 1:57-80)
Jesus is Born (Luke 2:1-21)
Simeon and Anna Meet Jesus (Luke 2:22-38)
Jesus Welcomes the Children (Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-18)
Jesus Brings His Friend Lazarus Back to Life (John 11:1-44)
People Welcome Jesus to Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19)
Jesus is Alive! (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10)
Jesus Surprises His Disciples (Matt. 28:9-10; Mark 16:9-13; Luke 24:13-43; John 20:11-21:25)
Stories that show that God is strong:
Jesus and the Man Who Could Not Walk (Matt 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26)
Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56)
Jesus Helps a Centurion (Matt 8:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)
Jesus Raises the Widow’s Only Son to Life (Luke 7:11-17)
Jesus Stops a Storm (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)
Jesus Walks on the Water (Matt 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21)
Some Disciples See that Jesus is God (Matt 17:1-9; Mk 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27)
Ten Sick Men are Healed by Jesus (Luke 17:11-18)
Jesus Heals a Beggar Who is Blind (Mark 10:46-52)
Saul Meets Jesus (Acts 9:1-18)
Dorcas is Raised to Life (Acts 9:36-42)
Stories that demonstrate how God protects His people:
Joseph Obeys God and Saves Baby Jesus (Matt. 2:13-22)
Jesus Tells Stories About How God Wants to Save Everyone:
One Missing Sheep (Matt. 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7)
The Woman and the Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
The Son Who Did What He Wanted (Luke 15:11-32)
What Happened to the Farmer’s Seeds (Matt 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15)
A Good Shepherd (John 10:1-6)
Saul’s Basket Escape (Acts 9:19-25)
Peter Walks out of Jail (Acts 12:1-19)
Paul and Silas Hang Out with Their Jailor (Acts 16:20-40)
Stories that show how God provides:
Jesus Helps a Bride and Groom (John 2:1-11)
So Many Fish! (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
Jesus Tells About a Kind Stranger (Luke 10:25-37)
Five Loaves and Two Fish (Matt 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14)
The Holy Spirit Comes to Help the Church (Acts 2:1-41)
Scriptures (not stories) that teach us how to better follow God:
Jesus Preaches on a Mountain:
Love Everyone, Even Your Enemies (Matt 5:38-48)
How to Pray (Matt 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-4)
How to Live (Matt 6:16-34)
More on How to Live (Matt 7:1-23)
Two Ways to Build (Matt 7:24-28)
Encouraging Letters from the Apostles:
The Best Gift (1 Corinth 12:1-31)
Do Good to Everyone (Gal. 6:1-10)
Live in God’s Love (1 John 4:7-21)
These are only a few of the New Testament stories and Scripture passages that can be shared with our children. They are not all-inclusive, but they are a place to start! The most important thing is that we find ways to help our children connect with the Holy Scriptures.
Here are additional resources that can help us learn from the Scriptures together at bedtime:
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If you missed these links from our Old Testament Bible Stories post, these Orthodox resources can assist us as we teach our children stories from the New Testament:
The Orthodox Study Bible. This translation of the Scriptures offers footnotes filled with insights from Orthodox scholars. If you do not yet have a copy in your home, you can find it here: http://store.ancientfaith.com/orthodox-study-bible/
The Children’s Bible Reader. This Bible storybook was published by the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece. It has been translated to English, and offers many stories from the Bible that are illustrated in a style similar to iconography. Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Childrens-Illustrated-American-Society/dp/1585168270
The Children’s Bible Reader is also available online here: http://cbr.goarch.org/
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These Bible storybooks are not Orthodox-published but can help an Orthodox Christian family to learn stories from the Bible (both Old and New Testaments):
The Jesus Calling Bible Storybook tells stories from the Bible in simple language that children can understand. The illustrations are gentle and colorful. Each story includes a related Bible verse for the reader to ponder. It also offers a short meditation that can help the reader to think of how Christ can help them just as God helped the person in the story. (Note: because this book is not Orthodox-written, a few of these meditations may need to be omitted, reworded, or discussed after reading to clarify our Orthodox belief on the matter. If you use this book, we advise that you read ahead so that you can be prepared. But as a whole the book is lovely, which is why we are mentioning it.) http://www.thomasnelson.com/jesus-calling-bible-storybook
Before I Dream Bible Storybook tells 60 Bible stories in simple language. Each story is a verbal feast for the senses, drawing in the listener to fully engage in the story. The author did this on purpose, to fully engage children’s thoughts in the Scriptures before bedtime. Although this book is no longer available from its publisher (Tyndale), https://www.amazon.com/Before-Bedtime-Storybook-Henley-Playsongs/dp/1414300921 offers links to new and used versions of the book.
God’s Word For Me Bible Storybook offers 104 stories from the Scriptures in child-friendly language accompanied by pleasant illustrations. Each story ends with an opportunity for application: a verse to ponder or a suggested activity related to the story. http://www.thomasnelson.com/god-s-word-for-me#
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Here are links to suggested Scriptures for bedtime meditation:
Here are some verses (from both Old and New Testaments) that can be helpful to think about at bedtime: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/20-great-bible-verses-to-read-before-bed/
And these inspirational verses can be helpful to both children and adults at bedtime: http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/inspirational-bible-verses/
Orthodox Christian Parenting 
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