How to share with wonder and excitement when we tell children the things Jesus did

I often think about the final line of John’s Gospel — that if everything Jesus did were written down, “the whole world wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.” What a breathtaking thought. What a spark for a child’s imagination.

Because if that’s true — and it is — then every story we tell in Children’s Church is just the tiniest glimpse of a Saviour who did far more than we could ever fit into a library.

And that means we get to teach with wonder.

Children catch our excitement long before they understand our explanations

Kids don’t just listen to our words. They watch our faces. They feel our energy. They sense whether we’re telling a story like it’s a dusty history lesson… or like it’s the most astonishing thing that ever happened.

When we speak with awe — when our eyes widen, our voices soften, our hands move, our breath catches — children lean in. They feel the weight of it. They sense the glory of it.

Because Jesus’ stories aren’t ordinary. They’re alive.

Every miracle is a doorway into a bigger world

When you tell children about Jesus calming the storm, don’t rush it. Let them hear the wind. Let them feel the spray. Let them imagine the disciples shouting over the waves.

Then pause. Let the room go quiet. And whisper, “And Jesus… stood up… and spoke… and the storm obeyed Him.”

That pause is where wonder grows.

When you tell them about Jesus healing Bartimaeus, let them feel the man’s trembling hands. Let them imagine the first burst of colour he ever saw. Let them picture his face breaking into joy.

When you tell them about the little girl Jesus raised from the dead, let them imagine her mum’s gasp, her dad’s tears, the girl blinking awake as if from a nap.

These aren’t just stories. They’re windows into the heart of God.

Wonder invites children to explore, not just remember

Facts inform. Wonder transforms.

Children may forget the order of events, but they won’t forget how it felt when Jesus fed thousands with a little boy’s lunch. They won’t forget the thrill of imagining Jesus walking on water. They won’t forget the warmth of hearing how He welcomed children, blessed them, and held them close.

Wonder makes truth unforgettable.

Use your whole self when you tell the stories

• Use your hands.
• Use your eyebrows.
• Use your voice — loud, soft, slow, and fast.
• Use props.
• Use movement.
• Use silence.
• Use your imagination.

Children don’t need a polished performance. They need a leader who is genuinely amazed by Jesus.

If you’re captivated, they will be too.

And remind them — this is only the beginning

Tell them:

“Kids, we only know a handful of the things Jesus did. If everything were written down, the world couldn’t hold all the books. That means Jesus did so much more than we can even imagine.”

Watch their eyes widen. Watch their hearts open. Watch their curiosity ignite.

Because that’s the moment they realise: Jesus is bigger than any story we tell — and He’s still doing wonderful things today.

So keep telling the stories with joy

Tell them like they’re treasures. Tell them like they’re alive. Tell them like you can hardly believe how good Jesus is.

Because when we tell children the things Jesus did with wonder and excitement, we’re not just teaching them Bible stories. We’re helping them fall in love with the Saviour who fills the world with more miracles, more kindness, more power, and more love than all the books on earth could ever contain.

Free Stories to Download!

History Hoppers: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/history-hoppers/

Jarrah Clarke, a teenager with a genius for inventing, takes his 10-year-old cousin Tilly and rescued joey Kimberley to witness historical events in the Old Testament.  His latest invention (named after Kimberley who accidentally hitches a ride on their first adventure) is the History Hopper.  A time travelling device that turns any object it’s attached to into a time machine!

Jarrah is unaware that his time travel is interfering with the forgery operations of an antiquarian criminal mastermind, Aristotle Philetus.  At first, Aristotle blames his enslaved thief Pincher until it becomes clear someone else is responsible for the image of a kangaroo appearing on artifacts through the ages. 

When Aristotle realizes Jarrah’s invention can assist him in pillaging the treasures of the world, he leaves his secret lair to visit the village of Yongkaup so Pincher can steal the History Hopper.  With it, Aristotle plans to build an empire the likes of which the world has never seen before. 

Jerry and the J’s of Johnson’s Creek: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/jerry-and-the-js-of-johnsons-creek/

Meet Jerry and The J’s of Johnson’s Creek!  Jerry is the teen band’s lead guitarist and singer.  Jandi is on the keyboard, Jazz is on bass and the accident-prone Jericho plays the drums.  Their sound engineer and self-appointed manager is Jax.  Johnson’s Creek is a rural town in Western Queensland.  The J’s attend the local Church and it’s their job to run the Kid’s Club every Friday night in the century-old, wooden Town Hall.  And every Friday night one of the children asks Jeri a profound question he and The J’s do not know the answer to.

So where do they go for answers?  To Reverend Mac of course!  Unfortunately, they always seem to catch Reverend Mackenzie in the middle of an important town event such as a wedding, a baby dedication, and even a funeral.  Can Jerry and The J’s get the answer they need from Reverend Mac before he officiates?  Jerry and the J’s is an enjoyable series that combines teenage fun and rural community life with the big questions that kids ask.

The Twins at Sunshine Cove: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/the-twins-at-sunshine-cove/

Twins Jesse and Erin spend school holidays with their Grandma, who manages the Sunshine Cove Post Office.  The seaside town is a place of adventure, especially when Grandma tells Jesse and Erin all about Daniel.  They learn important life lessons as they comb the beach, visit caves and make a delivery to the mysterious Captain who lives in the lighthouse! This series has been very popular over the years.  I have used the stories as Devotions and in School Holiday or kids’ club programs.  The seaside theme lends itself to wonderful art and craft and excursions. The gorgeous illustrations are by Nic Taylor.

Spud and the Figs: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/spud-and-the-figs/

Although kids love to talk and can be natural evangelists, witnessing is not always easy. ‘Spud and the Figs’ is a series about three close friends whose comfortable world is turned upside down by the intrusion of the school outcast, Spud. The boys learn God’s love is available to everyone, even those they think don’t deserve it. Church kids are challenged to look beyond their Children’s Church and Kid’s Club to see the kids God wants in His family. This series incorporates Bible Stories and Discussion Points for small groups.

Moon Base Genesis 2: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/moon-base-genesis-2/

Ryan, Tristram, Leala, Stella and Pip don’t escape school even if they do live on the moon! With their parents they are part of the Earth colony: Moon Base Genesis 2. Their teacher, Lunar, may be the latest in Artificial Intelligence, but it doesn’t know a thing about the real story of Creation, the Fall, Cain and Abel, Noah or the Tower of Babel.

This series of Lessons is great for middle primary. It’s had plenty of upgrades over the years to keep up with technology. I’ve used it in Kid’s Club and Children’s Church. It was also aired on Family Radio, with awesome sound effects. The space theme lends itself to amazing crafts if you are using it as part of a holiday program.

A Matter of Time: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/a-matter-of-time/

Join Lucinda and her friend Professor Ninnyhammer, the inventor of the Time Slip Machine, as they journey through the book of John.  Watching Jesus, Lucinda learns how the miraculous power of God can be applied to her life, right now!

Time travel never gets old.  I’ve used A Matter of Time in School Holiday and Kid’s Club Programs.  It also aired as a serial on Family Radio.

Clowning Around: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/clowning-around/

Roll up! Roll up! This sweet circus series about the Fruit of the Spirit is suitable for lower primary aged children. The nine Fruit of the Spirit are in eight lessons because Love and Joy are combined in Story 1. When I wrote the series, many years ago, it was customary for Children’s Church programs to coincide with school terms of nine weeks. That meant eight lessons plus one Fun Day and then holidays for everyone! Clowning Around will make an energetic, fun and fruitful addition to your Kid’s Church or holiday programs.

Strawback and Crow: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/strawback-and-crow/

Strawback the Scarecrow stands in the vegetable garden close to the farmer’s house. In the spring when the windows are flung wide open, he overhears the Bible stories that Mr. Farmer shares with his family. Stories about seed and good soil and so much more. Everything Strawback hears he passes on to his friend Crow, which is just as well because she always manages to get herself into trouble, and needs scarecrow’s help!

The Fossickers Way: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/the-fossickers-way/

Barry and Beryl Fossicker, together with their 5 children, Jasper (17), Amber (15), Garnet (13), Opal (10) and Pearl (6) love to travel around Australia fossicking. They’ll pan for gold, noodle for opals and travel down dry creek beds for quartz. But Mr and Mrs Fossicker know the greatest treasure is God’s wisdom, and they use Proverbs from the Bible to instruct the children in the way they should live.