Blog - Chasing Vibrance

Hospitality can feel like a lot of pressure. Like you need the perfect house, the perfectly set table, and a meal that belongs on a food blog before you can even think about having people over. But here’s what I’ve noticed as I look at examples of hospitality in the Bible—that’s not really what the Bible emphasizes when it comes to hospitality.

Scripture is full of people showing up for others in the most unexpected, imperfect, and sometimes downright gutsy ways. And God uses every single one of them.

Whether you’re trying to grow in this area, looking for encouragement that you’re already doing it right, or just curious what the Bible actually says — these examples of Biblical hospitality are going to be such a good reminder of what it’s really all about.

Let’s dig in.

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Old Testament Examples of Hospitality

Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre

Scripture Reference: Genesis 18:1–8
The Story: Abraham eagerly welcomes three unknown travelers into his camp during the heat of the day. Instead of offering a simple drink, he rushes to prepare a lavish feast of fresh bread, choice meat, and milk, standing by to serve them while they eat.
The Divine Surprise: The strangers turn out to be angels and a physical manifestation of the Lord Himself, who then deliver the miraculous promise that Sarah will have a son.
The Hospitality Takeaway: This is one of the ultimate examples of hospitality in the Old Testament. It reminds us to treat guests with immediate, enthusiastic honor—a concept later echoed in Hebrews 13:2 (“some have entertained angels unawares”).

Pharaoh to Jacob’s Family

Scripture Reference: Genesis 45:16–20; 47:7–12
The Story: After discovering that his trusted advisor Joseph has a surviving family, Pharaoh throws open the borders of Egypt. He provides wagons for their journey and grants them the land of Goshen—the very best, richest portion of the country—to settle in during a devastating famine.
The Hospitality Takeaway: True hospitality is often an extension of gratitude and relationship. Pharaoh didn’t just give Jacob’s family a safe place to stay temporarily, but he used his massive wealth to completely provide for their long-term well-being based on his gratitude and appreciation of Joseph’s faithful service.

Rahab to the Israelite Spies

Scripture Reference: Joshua 2:1–16
The Story: Rahab, a Canaanite woman living in Jericho, boldly opens her home to two Israelite spies. At massive personal risk to her own safety, she feeds them, hides them on her roof under stalks of flax, and guides them safely out of the city.
The Hospitality Takeaway: This story proves that biblical hospitality can be downright gutsy. Even though Rahab wasn’t an Israelite, her radical faith in God prompted her to protect God’s people. Her courage was rewarded with a place to belong in the people of God AND in the lineage of Christ!

Looking for more inspiration? I’ve rounded up 12 of the best Bible verses on hospitalityalong with practical tips for practicing hospitality as a family right here!

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Boaz to Ruth

Scripture Reference: Ruth 2
The Story: When Ruth arrives as a poor, grieving foreigner to glean in his fields, Boaz steps in with overwhelming generosity. He goes far beyond the basic Old Testament laws for widows by ensuring her safety, giving her direct access to water, ordering his workers to leave extra grain behind for her, and inviting her to eat at his own table.
The Hospitality Takeaway: Biblical hospitality is intentional and protective. Boaz noticed someone on the margins of society and used his resources to make her feel completely safe, welcome, and valued.

David to Mephibosheth

Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 9:7–13 (Note: fixed typo from 1 Samuel to 2 Samuel)
The Story: Out of deep love for his late friend Jonathan, King David seeks out Jonathan’s surviving son, Mephibosheth, who is crippled in both feet. Instead of viewing him as a political threat, David restores all of King Saul’s former lands to him and commands that Mephibosheth eat at the royal table as one of the king’s own sons.
The Hospitality Takeaway: David owed Mephibosheth nothing, yet he extended the full benefits of family to him. This is a beautiful picture of covenant-keeping hospitality that restores dignity to those who feel forgotten.

The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah

Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:10–24
The Story: During a severe drought, a critically poor widow is preparing to cook her very last handful of flour and drop of oil for herself and her son. When the prophet Elijah asks her for water and a piece of bread first, she trusts God, uses her final resources to serve him, and is blessed with a jar of flour and a jug of oil that miraculously never run dry.
The Hospitality Takeaway: This story always leaves me absolutely gobsmacked! It is a profound reminder for when the cost of extra groceries or snacks strains our budget. When we practice hospitality out of our scarcity rather than our abundance, God can do incredible things with our little.

The Shunammite Woman to Elisha

Scripture Reference: 2 Kings 4:8–37
The Story: A wealthy woman and her husband notice that the prophet Elisha frequently passes through their town. To make his travels easier, they build a small, private guest room on their roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp so he always has a quiet place to rest and minister.
The Hospitality Takeaway: I love how incredibly practical this example is! Hospitality doesn’t always mean hosting a giant party; sometimes it simply looks like anticipating someone’s physical needs and creating a quiet, comfortable space where they can find rest.or it.

RELATED: 35 EXAMPLES OF FORGIVENESS IN THE BIBLE

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New Testament Examples of Hospitality

Jesus to the Wedding Host at Cana

Scripture Reference: John 2:1–11
The Story: During a wedding feast in Cana, the host runs completely out of wine—a massive social embarrassment in ancient Jewish culture. Jesus steps in and performs His very first recorded miracle, turning six large stone water jars into the absolute finest wine for the guests.
The Hospitality Takeaway: Running out of supplies wasn’t the mark of a good host, but Jesus graciously supplied the hospitality that the host was lacking. It shows us that God cares about our social joys and comforts, and He loves to step in and fill our gaps when our own resources run short.

Martha to Jesus and the Disciples

Scripture Reference: Luke 10:38–42; John 12:1–2
The Story: Martha opens her home to Jesus and His traveling disciples multiple times throughout His ministry. She throws her energy into fixing food, cleaning, and preparing for what would have been a large, hungry, and dusty group of travelers.
The Hospitality Takeaway: If Martha’s busyness feels familiar, you are not alone! While Jesus gently reminds her not to lose her peace as she serves, Martha’s legacy throughout the gospels is one of sacrificial generosity and service. She exemplifies the practical work that goes into making people feel welcome.

Struggling with a frantic heart like Martha? If the pressure of hosting leaves you feeling overwhelmed, you’ll love these practical tips on how to find biblical rest when life gets busy.

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Zacchaeus to Jesus

Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1–10
The Story: Jesus essentially invites Himself over to Zacchaeus’s house for lunch, causing a stir among the crowds. Thrilled by the request, Zacchaeus hurries down from his tree and joyfully scrambles to make this unexpected hospitality happen, hosting a feast that changes his life forever.
The Hospitality Takeaway: Zacchaeus shows us that hospitality is a natural, joyful response to a transformed heart. Opening his home to Jesus wasn’t a chore or a burden; it was a celebratory milestone that marked his turn away from greed and toward radical generosity.

Lydia to Paul and Silas

Scripture Reference: Acts 16:11–15
The Story: Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman dealing in valuable purple cloth, hears Paul preach and is baptized. Immediately after her conversion, she insists that Paul and his companions stay at her house, ultimately turning her home into a regular meeting place for the early Philippian church.
The Hospitality Takeaway: Lydia used her business success and spacious home to provide a safe haven for ministry leaders. A comfy bed, a hot meal, and a secure place to rest is a massive spiritual gift to those who spend their lives traveling and pouring into others.

The People of Malta to the Shipwrecked

Scripture Reference: Acts 28:1–9
The Story: After a violent storm shipwrecks Paul and 275 other prisoners and sailors on the island of Malta, the native inhabitants show “unusual kindness.” Despite having nothing to personally gain, they build a massive bonfire in the freezing rain, welcome the cold survivors, and host them for three days.
The Hospitality Takeaway: This is an easily overlooked but beautiful example of hospitality to refugees and strangers in dire straits. You don’t have to share a faith or a culture with someone to show them biblical kindness. Even the simplest extension of warmth—like bringing a meal when someone is sick or buying a cup of coffee for a homeless person—can be used by God at a critical moment.

Where to Go From Here:

Although biblical hospitality shouldn’t be motivated by a reward, Scripture consistently shows God blessing those who are generous with their space—both physically and spiritually! May you be encouraged by God’s Word to begin practicing hospitality in your own life in big and small ways.

If studying these stories has left you hungry to go deeper into God’s Word, you’ll love our Claiming God’s Faithfulness Bible Study, where we unpack how God shows up throughout both the Old and New Testaments!

claiming God's faithfulness Bible study mockup with iPhone, computer, verse cards and Bible study pages

How do you show hospitality in your everyday life? How do you make hospitality easy?

One way I keep it extra simple is by “cooking” take and bake pizzas when we have friends over for dinner! Add a salad and an easy dessert like this one and you have the perfect low-maintenance dinner. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy and most kids (and grown-ups!) are always happy to have a pizza party!

You wake up to your toddler crying. Check the monitor and hurriedly slide into your yoga pants, scraping your hair into a messy bun as you walk down the hall. The moment you walk in she instantly stops crying and reaches for you.

And she’ll spend the rest of the day reaching for you.

a mom leans in close to her toddler who is wearing a yellow striped shirt. Large text overlay reads: 12 Encouraging Short Bible Verses for Moms of Littles

I get the “hands full, heart full” season--I really do. I had 3 kids in 3.5 years and I’m no stranger to days when you need Jesus like you need oxygen AND you have almost no time to yourself.

You’re not failing. You don’t suck as a mom or a Christian. You are in an arduous season, dear mama.

If you only have a few minutes — or a few seconds — here are short, powerful verses you can hold onto today. No chapters long reading. No homework journaling assignment. Just truth.

A Quick Note Before the List

Please remember this: short doesn’t mean shallow. God meets us in the small pockets of time we have. Even one verse whispered over yourself while wiping a counter or washing a baby’s hair can shift everything.

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12 Short Bible Verses for Weary Moms of Littles

Hold onto these verses in this season. Yes, it’s challenging AND God is with you in it.

1. Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This is a beautiful reminder that in Jesus we can set down our loads and rest. We can relax and trust that He is holding us.

come to me all you who are weary Bible verse for toddler moms

2. Isaiah 40: 11 — “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.“

God isn’t leading you with harshness or long to-do lists. There is no litany of ways you have failed. Your good Shepherd leads you gently, tending your heart and spirit one day at a time.

3. Lamentations 3:22b-23 — His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Do you feel like yesterday is a day you want to forget? Maybe the two hours you’ve been awake so far you’d really like a do-over? God says His mercy is NEW—untouched, unstained, refilled-to-the-brim-and-overflowing ready for you.

Great is your faithfulness bible verse quote on lavender field background

4. Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.”

This is one of the verses my family has memorized together and it is powerful. Fear can’t stand up to the truth that God is with us–helping and strengthening our everyday mom moments.

Short Bible verses for weary moms: photo of a woman taking a walk with her preschool daughter "So do not fear for I am with you...I will help you."

5. Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Whether you are getting up for the third time with a teething little one, trying to potty train, feeling guilty for being at work when they’re sick or feeling shame for being “just a stay-at-home-mom–this little verse is a reminder I repeat out loud to myself.

I can do all things through Christ Bible verse with floral green and yellow corner borders

6. Isaiah 40:31 — Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

This verse used to be my half-marathon running mantra–now it’s my chasing toddler mantra! When my hope and expectations are in God, I get a fresh overflowing of strength both internal and external.

7. 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This one hits different when you’re in the thick of it with toddler tantrums and sibling squabbles. God’s grace is enough. You don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. There. Is. Grace.

my grace is sufficient for you Bible verse quote with woman and son sitting on a beach together watching the sunset

Christian Morning Routine for Moms That Are Overwhelmed

8. Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

When mom-life is hectic and hard, I know I can always come to God with my needs. When I am taxed physically, emotionally drained, and spiritually parched–God says “all the grace and mercy you need is available to you.”

9. Zephaniah 3:17 — “He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

God is singing over your chaos, mama. “Even when I don’t have the energy to sing to Him, I can rest and receive God’s love song over me.”

Flatlay of baby booties, stuffed animals and other soft things with Bible verse for labor overlaid: Zephaniah 3:17

10. Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.“

Your hard seasons of motherhood have a purpose. They aren’t meaningless, but your responses (to the little annoyances and life-changing devastation) can bring glory to God, showing the world what He is like and what someone who lives in His love is like. I like the way the footnote of the NIV rephrases this verse: “that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.”

11. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Encourage one another and build each other up…”

If you’re feeling discouraged in your mom-life, you likely aren’t alone. Opening up to a friend and encouraging her can often be the shift-of-focus I need.

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12. Philippians 4:7 — “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace is possible. It’s not far-fetched, even on the days filled with whining, fighting, and temper tantrums.

RELATED READING: 35 BEAUTIFUL BIBLE VERSES ABOUT REST FOR WEARY WOMEN

God sees you Christian mama in this season of pouring out. He is not distant. He is right there in the cheerio-covered, exhausted, beautiful mess and magic of it all.

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A Bible Study Built for Moms Who Are Ready to Claim God’s Faithfulness

If these verses stirred something in you and you want to go deeper — even just 15 minutes a day — I made something for you. The Claiming God’s Faithfulness Bible Study was written for moms in the thick of raising kids, just like you.

Claiming God's Faithfulness Bible study on an ipad with a woman holding a bouquet of lilacs and images of the study layered behind the ipad

What makes it perfect for the moms:

31 days, 10-15 minutes of flexible daily time
Guided journal so she doesn’t have to figure out what to write
Worship playlist built in
Includes a Scripture meditation cards to place around you.

Get it here!

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As a mom I often have the best of intentions for my mornings. But then life happens. The baby was up at 2am. The toddler is already demanding cereal. The normally responsible tween woke up with an attitude and needs some TLC. And I bet you’re wondering the thing I’ve wondered again and again as a mom of four…a Christian morning routine for moms is a great idea…but is it actually possible in my real life?

Before we go any further, let this truth sink into your heart: a good morning doesn’t have to be a perfect morning.

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Why a Christian Morning Routine Actually Matters (Even on Chaos Days)

Here’s why having a morning routine matters. Is it a Biblical mandate? Absolutely not. Is it a helpful habit? Absolutely yes! Here’s why I love a morning habit stack.

It anchors the day in God and His Word before the chaos starts.
I get a chance to “fill my cup” (emotionally, spiritually, and physically) before I spend the day pouring out for my kids and family.
We know there isn’t something more magically spiritual about morning than night or midday (Psalm 55:17) but there is something powerful about starting your day with intention. This is also a habit that Jesus modeled in the New Testament getting up early to pray and meet with His father. (Mark 1:35) If the Son of God needed a minute away from the crowds (and let’s be honest, disciples can be just as needy as toddlers), we certainly do too.”

“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” -Psalm 5:3

morning coffee with katie, a Christian mom of four and pastor's wife

RELATED READING: HOW TO HAVE A MORNING DEVOTIONAL TIME WITH GOD

The 4 Pillars of a Sustainable Morning Habit Stack

There are four things that are pillars of my Christian morning routine as a mom. These hit my soul, body, and spirit in some way, for some length of time every day.

The four pillars:

🙏 Spiritual Refreshment — Time with God, even just reading one Bible verse and praying and breathing for one minute.
🏃‍♀️ Movement — Gentle and simple counts. A walk, stretches, 10 squats.
💆‍♀️ Self-Care — Something that lights you up, even if it’s just 2 minutes long
☕ Fueling — Breakfast and coffee (a non-negotiable for me, honestly)

Every level has all four. The difference is just depth and time. I call this the “Good, Better, Best” model. This helps me not get stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, where if I can’t have a fairytale time with God that has coffee, a long Bible study, a quiet environment, journaling, and thoughtful prayer time–than it’s not worth doing anything. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Which is why I like to intentionally set my Good, Better, and Best morning routine. Here’s what those look like for me and how you can springboard that into a morning plan for yourself.

The “Good, Better, Best” Morning Routine Framework

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The “Good” Routine: 10 Minutes for High-Stress Mornings

This is the bare minimum that still sets your heart in the right direction.

Pillar	What it looks like
Spiritual	One verse. Read it. Breathe it. Pray it.
Movement	10 squats while the coffee brews. Literally.
Self-Care	Splash cold water on your face. Get dressed before the kids see you.
Fueling	Coffee + something — even a banana paired with a protein bar.

Zero shame for days like these. We all need a 10 minute quick morning routine that sets the tone for our day when we have the feeling the day is going to be extra-hard or very-full!

I love using our Claiming God’s promises verse packs for this! It keeps me from opening my phone and getting sucked in like an app might. Set it out on your night stand for an easy moment to focus on God and His goodness.

For these kind of days my self care is taking time for my skin. A quick splash of water to wake myself up followed by my favorite skincare products is a moment of care that tells me I matter and am worthy of care.

My favorite workout moves are doing squats or calf raises as I get my coffee. A few windmill arms and gentle stretches is the perfect wake up for my body.

RELATED READING: 25 SELF CARE IDEAS FOR CHRISTIAN MOMS

The “Better” Routine: 20-30 Minutes for the Average Day

For the days when the baby slept okay and the toddler is miraculously still in bed. You’re up a little early and ready to go.

Pillar	What it looks like
Spiritual	A short devotional, Claiming the Promises of God Bible study or reading one chapter of Scripture.
Movement	A 10-15 min walk outside or a short YouTube workout
Self-Care	Gets dressed, does something with her hair, maybe journal one sentence of gratitude
Fueling	Yogurt, Coffee, Something easy and quick, but filling and delicious.

On this day think about breaking your time into four sections. Ten minutes in the Word. A walk or quick strength or Pilates workout paired with worship music. Spend the rest of your time on a gratitude journaling while you sip on your coffee and eat some baked oatmeal and Greek yogurt.

Also, start with the thing you most don’t want to get interrupted during. Maybe you really want to do some yoga as a movement and self-care pairing. That’s your priority, so it’s what you start with. Then you’re okay if you do breakfast with the kids or have your time with God later during a naptime or while the kids have TV time.

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The “Best” Routine: 45-60 Minutes of Spiritual Refreshment

For the unicorn mornings when you get to bed on time, sleep uninterrupted, and wake up with your alarm. The kids keep sleeping. The house is quiet. *magical*

Pillar	What it looks like
Spiritual	Dedicated Bible study time — a full passage, journaling, prayer.
Movement	A longer 20-30 minute workout
Self-Care	Gets ready intentionally–shower, makeup, hair.
Fueling	A fresh egg scramble or protein smoothie you actually sits down to eat.

This won’t happen every day—and that’s okay. This is the ideal, not the standard. At some point in your life this will become the standard! You’ll enter a season that’s more restful and you can be more aggressive and intentional with your morning routine!

RELATED READING: 30 BEST DEVOTIONALS FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN IN 2026

an open beautiful word journaling bible with margin coloring image along the side. The Bible is open to the book of Luke

5 Practical Tips to Make Your Routine Stick

These are the things I do that help keep the routine going.

Prep the night before (coffee ready to go, Bible on the counter, workout clothes set out).
Go to bed on time. (Yes, sometimes kids are up in the night, but also sometimes we stay up late for “me time” that is just binging TV or scrolling social and doesn’t feed our souls.)
Pick ONE pillar to start with if it feels overwhelming.
Don’t let a bad morning derail the whole day. There’s always room for a restart! You can do your “morning routine” during your baby’s first naptime or as a midday reset if you absolutely can’t get to it first thing in the morning.
Habit stack. This is one of my favorite habit guru tips! Pair a new habit with an already established habit, like praying the Lords Prayer while your coffee brews or doing 10 squats while you brush your teeth.
Give yourself two weeks before you judge how well it’s working and make changes.

Free Printable Christian Mom Morning Checklist

Okay, I made you something. Because sometimes the best thing you can do is just check a box and call it a win. Here’s a spot to outline your own good, better, best routine. Write it down and commit to a life-giving morning routine–whether it’s long or short!

You can get your free copy of the Christian morning routine checklist by subscribing to my weekly Substack email! You’ll find the link to access in your first email!

Get your morning checklist here!

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Christian mama, remember God meets you in the messy middle. How you include God in the mundane things like loading the dishwasher and setting a prayer reminder on your phone matter more than a sacred, perfect, morning routine. A good morning doesn’t make you a good mom — but starting with Him makes every kind of morning better.

If this message impacted you, pin this post for later to come back to or share it with a mom friend who needs this encouragement today.

Memorizing Bible verses together is one of the key parts of our evening family discipleship — what we in the Scott family lovingly call “Circle Time.”

We started memorizing verses as part of our bedtime process when my daughter was just about three years old. We kept it super simple and short at first, and we’ve grown in length and depth from there!

How to Make Bible Verse Memorization Easy for Your Family

Before bed we gather together, read a book, go through a devotional, say a Bible verse, and sing and pray together. It’s sweet and simple.

Before we start a new verse I think through a couple simple hand motions to include as we say it together.

For example: For Genesis 1:1 our hand motions look like this:

“In the beginning” — Tap our index finger to our wrist like we’re touching a watch

“God” — point upward

“created” — use our hands to make a nail tapping a hammer motion

“the heavens and the earth” — circle hands over head for heavens and then spread them flat in front of you for earth.

Seriously don’t overthink this! Now that our children are older (12, 10, and 8) I ask them to help come up with the hand motions. Simple is better! And we now have some words (like love, kindness, and Jesus) that we always do the same sign for. You could do American Sign Language as well, but for us our made-up ones work well!

Some prefer not to do hand motions, but it helps our brains and bodies synch up and I think it helps our kids memorize more quickly.

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30 Easy Bible Verses For Kids (and Parents!) to Memorize

While lots of churches offer Bible memory programs, I love that we get to choose the verses our family works on together. I want my kids to have these 30 verses on lock — verses they can draw on in any season, any hard moment, any ordinary Tuesday.

I’d rather they truly know 30 verses than have 300 floating around that never sank in.

Here’s exactly what we’re memorizing and why — organized by age and stage.

Bible Verses for toddlers verse printable

6 Short and Easy Bible Verses to Memorize for Toddlers

These are the verses we started with. Short. Simple. Full of truth. The perfect length for littles! Get the verse pack in the Growing Faith Toolkit!

At this age, repetition is your best friend. Say it at dinner. Say it at bath time. Say it in the car. You’ll be amazed what those little brains hold onto. These five verses lay the most beautiful foundation — who God is, how much He loves us, and how He calls us to live.

1. God is love. 1 John 4:8

This is the first truth we ever want our kids to know. Before they understand anything else about God, they can know this: He is love. Say it, sing it, whisper it: it will never get old.

2. God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Every time your little one spots a butterfly or splashes in a puddle, you have a chance to point back to this verse. God made all of it — and He made them. That’s worth remembering.

3. For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son. John 3:16

This is the heartbeat of the whole gospel, and even a toddler can begin to hold it. The more they say it, the more room it makes in their heart for what it truly means.

john 3:16 for kids memory verse card with smiling young boy on it

4. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Joshua 1:9

Bad dreams, first days of school, hard moments — this verse becomes a little hand to hold. Teach it early and they’ll reach for it for the rest of their lives.

5. Be kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32

Short, direct, and so needed. When sibling squabbles happen (and they will!), this verse gets to do the work. It’s wisdom they can actually act on right away.

6. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. Psalm 136:1

give thanks to the lord Bible memory card for preschoolers with graphic of a small girl in a yellow shirt on it smiling

Gratitude is a practice, and this verse is the starting place. Saying it together at bedtime or the dinner table is a beautiful way to end the day with thankful hearts.

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12 Easy Bible Verses for Kids to Learn (One for Each Month)

Once your kids have those first five verses in their hearts, it’s time to go a little deeper.

This section gives you one verse per month to work on together for the whole year. A full month on each verse means it actually has time to sink in — not just into their memory, but into how they see God and themselves. These are the truths I want my kids coming back to for the rest of their lives.

January: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

This is one of the most practical passages in all of Scripture. When your kids know the fruit of the Spirit by heart, they have a real framework for who God is shaping them to be.

February: Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Valentine’s month is the perfect time to talk about what real love looks like. This verse shows your kids that God’s love isn’t earned — it’s given freely, right in the middle of our mess.

Romans 5:8 text of Bible verse on God's love in sans-serif font with photo of a family holding hands with a heart in the middle

March: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

This verse is a full embrace in Scripture form. It doesn’t just say “don’t be afraid” — it tells us why we don’t have to be. God is with us, and He holds us up.

April: Matthew 28:6 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Easter month! This one is so powerful to memorize together right alongside Resurrection Sunday. The empty tomb changes everything — and our kids get to know that from the very beginning.

May: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

This is such a gift to give your kids. Their age doesn’t disqualify them from living a life that matters. They are seen, valued, and called — right now, as they are.

don't let anyone look down on you because you are young 1 timothy 4 12 Bible verse with photo of a mom kissing her down sydrome daughter's face as they both smile

June: Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”

One of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture — and for good reason. Memorizing this together gives your family a place to return to in every season, calm or stormy.

July: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Summer adventures, new challenges, hard things — this verse reminds your kids that their strength comes from a Source that never runs out. It’s a short one, but it punches above its weight.

August: Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

The Golden Rule, straight from Jesus. Back-to-school season brings new classrooms and new friendships — this verse gives your kids something solid to carry into every single one of them.

the golden rule memory verse graphic with a beehive and small bee

September: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

As fall routines kick in and life gets busy again, this is a beautiful reminder for the whole family. We don’t have to figure it all out — we just have to trust the One who does.

October: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

This is the expanded version of the toddler verse — and now they’re ready for the “why.” We forgive because we’ve been forgiven. That truth changes how everything feels.

be kind and compassionate to one another Bible verse for kids to memorize with a photo of two brothers playing nicely together

November: Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Gratitude month! This verse is the perfect anchor for Thanksgiving — and for teaching our kids that thankfulness isn’t just a feeling, it’s a choice rooted in who God is.

December: Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Memorizing this Christmas Bible verse together during December is one of the most meaningful ways to keep the focus on Jesus in a busy season. Every name is a gift worth unwrapping.

Boy smiles with his eyes as his face is hid partially behind an open Bible. Text overlay reads: simple Bible verses for older kids to memorize

Simple Bible Memory Verses About God’s Character for Older Kids

This is where things get really beautiful.

By now, your kids can hold longer verses — and they’re ready to go deeper into who God is. Each month focuses on one attribute of God’s character. By the end of the year, your child will have a rich, Scripture-rooted picture of the God they love. This is theology in the best possible way — learned by heart, one month at a time.

January: Genesis 1:1 — God is Creator “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

We start at the very beginning — because it tells us everything. God was here first. He made everything. And He made us. That’s the foundation for every other truth we’ll learn this year.

February: 1 John 4:16 — God is Love “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

We don’t just say God is loving — we say God is love. It’s His very nature. This verse is an invitation to live inside that reality every single day.

March: Lamentations 3:22-23 — God is Faithful “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

New mercies. Every morning. This is one of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture — and it hits different when your kids can say it by heart before breakfast.

April: 2 Corinthians 13:14 — God is Three in One “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The Trinity can feel like a big concept — but this verse makes it beautiful and personal. Grace, love, fellowship. Father, Son, Spirit. All three, all for us.

May: Psalm 36:7 — God is Kind “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

Kindness isn’t just something God does — it’s something He is. This verse paints such a tender picture of a God whose love is our safe place.

June: 2 Peter 3:9 — God is Patient “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God’s patience is one of the most underrated attributes we can teach our kids. He is never in a rush, and His timing is always rooted in love. That’s worth knowing deeply.

Quote about forgiveness and God's patience from 2 Peter

July: Isaiah 6:3 — God is Holy “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'”

Holy is one of those words kids hear a lot — and this is a great month to help them feel the weight of it. The angels couldn’t stop saying it. Neither can we.

August: Psalm 23:4 — God is With Me “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Even in the hard parts. Even in the scary parts. He is there. This verse gives our kids somewhere to stand when life feels uncertain.

September: Matthew 11:28 — God Invites Me to Rest “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

As the school year picks up steam, this is such a timely reminder — for your kids and for you. God doesn’t demand more from us when we’re tired. He offers rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 TEXT on background with sheep at sunset

October: Zephaniah 3:17 — God Delights in You “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

God sings over your child. Let that land. This verse has a way of softening even the hardest little heart — because every kid needs to know they are delighted in.

November: Exodus 34:6 — God is Compassionate “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'”

This is God describing Himself — in His own words. Compassionate. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in love. What a God we get to know.

December: John 1:14 — God is Full of Grace and Truth “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

We end the year right back at Christmas — and this time with a verse that captures the whole miracle. Jesus came. He moved into our neighborhood. And He brought grace and truth with Him. That’s the story worth telling forever.

Jesus is the Word Bible verse from John 1 with image of a manger in a dark barn and a light shining on it.

Ready to Make Family Discipleship Simple?

Friend, if you’ve been wanting to disciple your kids but don’t quite know where to start — I made something just for you.

The Growing Faith Toolkit is a digital download packed with everything you need to build a simple, low-stress family devotion rhythm with your toddlers and preschoolers. Inside you’ll find:

💚 A 21-page guide to planning and executing family devotions with your littles
💚 A reflection guide to help you build a rhythm that fits your personality and schedule
💚 6 Bible verse memory cards with hand motions (perfect for the early verses in this list!)
💚 5 prayer prompt cards to help your kids start praying on their own
💚 A parent resource list to help you beat overwhelm and just get started

Online e-book about growing faith in children promo image with pages from book and a small child praying on the front with title Growing Faith Toolkit

There’s no perfect time to start discipling your kids. But there is a right now — and this toolkit makes it doable.

👉 Grab the Growing Faith Toolkit here — just $10 for an instant download you’ll use for years.

You’ve got this, mama. And your kids are so blessed to have you showing up for them like this.

True confession: I’m having a hard time reading my Bible right now. I’m not sure why. I normally love opening the Word, but right now it doesn’t hold much joy. Which is a real bummer–especially the week after Easter when I feel like I should be feeling an intense spiritual high, deep gratitude, and unbridled joy in the Word of God.

What the heck is wrong with me?

Have you felt that way before? The guilt when you just can’t bring yourself to open the Bible. Going to church feels like a slog. The words to pray escape you. Your brain feels jumbled.

Image of an open Biible on a woman's lap while her preschooler plays in the sunlight. the large text overlay reads: When Bible reading feels hard

When Bible Reading Feels Hard, You’re Not Failing

Here’s what I’m telling myself this week when Bible reading feels hard and I’m spiritually dry.

There is more to faith than reading the Bible.

What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Reading Your Bible

While I struggle to open the Bible, I’ve played “Worship with my morning coffee” Spotify playlist over me as I sit on my couch, and yes, drink my coffee.

I had a friend over and we had a beautiful discussion about how we become more like Jesus through postpartum experiences, being clear and kind, and the tension of waiting when you’re just ready to be in “what’s next”.

I’ve paused–while noticing the moon in the night sky, the sun setting over the lake, a bird call, and a million new things growing in my yard–grateful for a God who makes beautiful things that hold steady while the world feels shaky.

I’ve also acknowledged we are in the one year anniversary season of my husband’s cancer diagnosis. Our world fell apart hard this time last year. It’s bringing up all that trauma I packed away tightly so I could function for my family. Re-wrestling through everything cancer brought into our lives is leaving me emotionally spent. Knowing this, I’m gentle with myself. God has grace for me as I process at my own pace.

Give Yourself Permission to Sit Under Grace

Sometimes reading the Bible is challenging and involves digging and intention, but we can also simply “sit under the waterfall of grace” as my pastor likes to say. Reread Psalm 23. Recite the Lord’s prayer. Sometimes I even go through my Bible and read only the verses I’ve underlined and the notes I’ve made in the past–allowing myself to eat from the breadcrumbs I’ve left behind.

Faith Resources for Spiritually Dry Seasons

I’m thankful that I have a lot of tools in my toolbox of faith. If you are someone who struggles with Bible reading here are some resources that have helped me grow other areas of my faith.

Spiritual Disciplines Toolkit – Incredibly transformative and helpful ways to live out your faith beyond church, “quiet time”, and prayer.
The Pursuit of Holy Leisure – A new book by Cara Ray that explores the ancient practice of “odium sanctum”, I’m only a few chapters in but needing this refreshment and encouragement!
Reading “easy” – For me this means soaking in familiar passages and books of the Bible like Ephesians, Philippians, John, and the Psalms. Are they my favorite books? Yes. Do I read them a lot? Also yes. Is that a bad thing? Not at all.
A short devotional – My favorite for dry seasons is Jesus Calling. (Lots of other great options here!)

The Truth About Hard Seasons and God’s Grace

I don’t have to be knee-deep in historical context, literary devices, and challenging Bible passages to be pleasing to God. As His beloved daughter His love for me is constantly maxed out.

Hard is not a litmus test of good.

Jesus invites us to walk freely and lightly with Him.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” -Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Matthew 11:28-30 in the message translation on a pink toned watercolor of the desert with white words

What Does Surrendering to God Mean?

At its core, surrendering to God means releasing your grip on your own plans, comfort, or control — and choosing to trust Him instead. It means saying, “Not my will, but Yours” and loosening your hands on the things you hold most tightly.

But here’s what surrendering to God is NOT:

It isn’t passive. Surrender is normally harder than you think (even in small things).
It’s not trivial–even tiny instances of surrender matter.
It’s not a one-time event, but rather a daily posture.

Surrender is one of the most countercultural things a woman can do. We’re wired to hustle, to control, to figure it out. But God invites us into something better.

Bible verse about surrender Hebrews 3:15 on background of a beautiful lavender plant

What the Bible Says About Surrendering to God

Scripture has a lot to say about surrender. Here are a few verses worth sitting with:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.” — Hebrews 3:15

This one is personal to me. The call to surrender isn’t usually loud or dramatic. It’s a quiet nudge. A whisper. And our job is to stay tender enough to hear it — and say yes.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

Surrender is the practical outworking of trust. When we submit our ways to Him, He directs our steps. That’s a promise.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:25

This verse captures it so well. Keeping in step with the Spirit means staying close, staying attentive, and following His lead — even when it’s inconvenient.

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.” — Romans 12:1

Surrender isn’t just a moment. It’s a lifestyle of worship. Every small act of obedience is an act of worship.

photo of a woman in a white top opening a glass bottle of coke with overlay : I gave up diet coke for lent and it taught me everything about surrender

The Diet Coke That Started a Conversation About Surrender

This year entering the season of Lent felt quietly uneventful. I am reading through the Bible in a two-year, chronological plan with my church so that isn’t changing. I hadn’t felt a call to really fast from anything (aside from my practice of deleting social apps every weekend). Overall, I felt good about the spiritual rhythms I had in place and wasn’t feeling any burning need to change anything simply because of Lent.

Then I woke up on Ash Wednesday with a strong conviction to give up Diet Coke for Lent. Not even one last crispy, cold one from McDonald’s as a send-off? I still had cans in the basement fridge! Was I just supposed to look at them for 40 days?

But. The Still Small Voice whispered. “Be done with Diet Coke.”

woman with pink nail polish holds a diet coke from Mcdonalds aloft in her mini van in the school pickup line

You see I had found myself swinging through the McDonalds drive through after a stressful morning. Grabbing one at a gas station as a “little treat” for making it through wrangling three kids during a middle school basketball game without losing my mind. I jokingly called them my “fridge cigs” and “emotional support soda”–but the truth was, I reached for them a lot.

Of course, Diet Coke is morally neutral. Like many other things people quit during Lent (red meat, Instagram, Netflix), it’s more about surrender. Am I leaning into this thing for a pleasure or peace I should be reaching to Jesus for? And sometimes it seems silly when the thing is as small as a glass of soda.

But I surrender because tiny obedience to the Spirit’s voice matters.

Anything God calls us to give up or take on is less about the thing and more about our internal posture. Am I clinging to my desires more than my Savior? Hebrews 3:15 reminds us,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart…”

I’m not avoiding Diet Coke because of aspartame or self-denial for self-denial’s sake, but because I want to keep my heart soft to the Spirit.

When I feel the tug to send a text checking in on a friend–I want to say yes.
When I’m convicted I need to apologize, even if it’s uncomfortable–I want to humble myself.
When I feel prompted to extend a playdate into a dinner invitation–I don’t want to hesitate.

As I’ve walked longer with the Spirit, I’m becoming more sensitive to the gentle prompts to be more like Jesus. I know when I have an intuition that goes against my natural inclinations, that’s probably the Spirit—and I want to quickly say yes.

photo fo a woman pouring coffee from a canteen on top of a mountain with text overlay 5 ways to practice surrendering to God in real life

How to Practice Surrendering to God (Even When It’s Hard)

So how do you actually do this? Especially when surrender feels scary?

1. Start with awareness.

Notice what you’re white-knuckling. What are you clinging to? Where do you feel resistance when you sense a nudge from God? That’s usually the place to start.

2. Soften your heart before God in prayer.

You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to be willing to be willing. Bring Him your resistance. Tell Him the truth. Ask Him to soften what’s hard.

3. Practice small obedience first.

Don’t wait for a big surrender opportunity. Start with the small prompt you already know you’ve been ignoring. Say yes there. Build the muscle.

4. Return to Scripture.

Hebrews, Romans, Galatians — the Word is full of invitations to surrender and the promises that come with it. Let those truths anchor you when surrender feels risky.

5. Remember: surrender leads to fruitfulness

Galatians 5 doesn’t just tell us to keep in step with the Spirit — it also tells us what grows when we do. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-control.

That’s what surrender produces. That’s what you’re saying yes to when you surrender.

The little ways we follow Jesus make the big ways easier. It forms a well-worn path of trust in our minds and souls as we “keep step with the Spirit”. (Galatians 5:25) Temporarily giving up the crispy bubbles of a favorite drink is one small step on the path to bigger spiritual leaps—like prayerfully releasing our kids to new adventures or entering a new ministry season or laying down a role we love.

Surrender is more than a forty day fast.

quote about surrendering to God with image of a woman standing in a field of lavender with a bouquet in her hand and a hat on her head.

Lent will end. The cans of Diet Coke will come back out of the basement fridge. (Or maybe they won’t. We’ll see.)But what I don’t want to end is the attentiveness. The soft heart. The quick yes.

Surrendering to God is a permanent heart posture, not a short-term spiritual fix.

It’s attentive listening to the Spirit and then following into deeper love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. It’s placing my hand in Jesus’ — and loosening my grip on everything else.

Even the Diet Coke.

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watercolor painting of a woman in a brown trench coat holding a black umbrella. Script font reads: What does surrendering to God actually mean?

If you’re looking for Easter Bible verses for kids, these simple Scriptures are a wonderful way to help your children understand the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

As a Christian parent, I’m always looking for ways to remind my kids of the true meaning of Easter. These Easter Bible verses paired with coloring pages are an easy and meaningful way to share the hope and joy of the resurrection with even the smallest hearts.

photo of a crafting table for Easter with eggs, paint, and kids leaning over it with large text overlay reading: Easter Bible Verses for Kids that teach about the resurrection

Why Share Easter Bible Verses with Your Kids?

These beautiful Bible verses help guide kids through the Easter story using Scripture while still being easy to understand at their level.

You’ll find classic Easter Bible passages — the ones you hear in church, see in stores, or find printed on Easter cards. There are also some amazing synopsis Bible verses encapsulating the sacrifice and power of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

These verses are great for Scripture memory, Easter crafts, family devotions, or simply reading together during Lent (the forty days leading up to Easter). At the bottom of this post you’ll find some adorable Easter Bible verse coloring pages for kids too! They are perfect to color and reflect on the Easter story this spring.

What Are Good Easter Bible Verses for Kids?

When choosing Easter Bible verses for kids, look for Scriptures that clearly explain the hope of the resurrection in simple language.

Some verses describe Jesus rising from the dead, while others explain why His death and resurrection matter for us today. Even young children can begin to understand that Easter celebrates the moment when Jesus defeated sin and death.

The Easter Bible verses below are short, powerful, and easy for kids to memorize or use during Easter crafts, family devotions, or bedtime reading during the weeks leading up to Easter.

collage image with a cross draped with a white cloth at sunrise and a happy family painting Easter eggs with text overlay reading 10 Easter Bible Verses every Christian Family should know

10 Simple Easter Bible Verses for Kids

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

God’s love was so big, He gave the biggest gift of all–His Son as our Rescuer– to bring us close to Him for forever!

john 3:16 with wildflowers in background

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. -Job 19:25

Long before Jesus was born people who loved God were looking for the Rescuer to come–Jesus.

He is not here, He has risen, just as he said. -Matthew 28:6

There is so much power in this simple sentence. “Jesus is risen” changes everything!

he is not here he has risen Bible verse with watercolor flowers and leaves around the edges

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. -1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Jesus died for the wrong choices we make–every lie, unkind word, bad attitude, or mean action we’ve ever done or will do keeps us from coming close to God, who is perfect. But when Jesus died he took the consequences we should have gotten for our sins. So now when God sees us He sees Jesus perfection, not our mistakes.

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! -Philippians 2:8

Jesus didn’t want to die, but He chose to die because he loved every person–including you!–that much!

Philippians 2:8 Bible verse about Jesus death on background of daffodils against dark sky

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9

So simple a child can do it! Taking the first step of faith doesn’t require special language or an in-depth Bible class–it’s as simple as believing that Jesus is God and declaring “I want to be on Team Jesus for the rest of my life!”

And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. -Romans 6:4

Christ’s resurrection means we can live new spiritual lives too! We don’t have to stay stuck making the same mistakes. Grace means we always get a fresh start, no matter how many mess-ups we make.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -Colossians 3:1

Jesus rising again means his followers know that what we can see right now isn’t the only part of life. There are things going on in our minds, our emotions, and our spirits that we can’t see.

Colossians 3:1 Easter Bible verse for kids on a background of chicks, easter eggs, and flowers with a light pink background

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. -John 11:25

Because Jesus lives forever, we can live forever with Him too!

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 15:57

Christ’s death means victory over death, sickness, sin, and sadness. Hurrah! Thank you, God!

Three cute kids dressed in their Easter finest against a brick background

Fun Ways Kids Can Use These Easter Bible Verses

Memorize one of these verses together and say it each night before bed. Make up hand motions to go with it!
Get artistic using crayon, paints or stickers to decorate these Easter Bible verse coloring pages
Hide verses inside plastic Easter eggs for a resurrection scavenger hunt
Write the verses inside Easter cards for friends or grandparents
Use them during family devotions during Holy Week

Photo of a cross with yellow flowers around it and text reading 10 Simple Easter Bible Verses for Kids (to help them understand the resurrection)

Frequently Asked Questions About Easter Bible Verses for Kids

What is a short Easter Bible verse for kids to memorize?

John 3:16 is one of the most popular Easter Bible verses for kids because it clearly explains God’s love and the gift of Jesus.

What Bible verse explains the Easter story?

Matthew 28:6 is a simple and powerful verse: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

How can kids learn Easter Bible verses?

Kids often learn Scripture best through repetition, crafts, songs, or coloring pages that help reinforce the message of the resurrection. Take your time and repeat these Bible verses together often!

Easter coloring pages for Easter Sunday with Bible verses

There are so many verses that speak of the incredible miracle of Jesus rising from the grave. This Easter season, use this selection of Bible verses to help your family reflect on the greatest gift of all — that Jesus conquered death so that we could have life. What an amazing truth to plant in the hearts of our kids!

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If you’re looking for Christian Easter books for kids that clearly explain the Gospel, help your children understand Jesus’ death and resurrection, and keep their attention (even the wiggly ones), this list will help.

Photo of a kids room with bookshelf decorated in soft pinks, yellows, and teals with large text overlay reading: 15 christian easter books for kids

These books range from toddler-friendly board books to theologically rich family devotionals you’ll use for years. Whether you’re preparing your heart during Lent or looking for an Easter story for children to read on Easter morning, you’ll find something here for every age.

And I love books and reading books with my kids so this couldn’t be a short list! Don’t feel pressured to get these all at once–just add 1-2 every year and your collection will expand quickly!

Adorable Asian toddler girl reads a pink book outside with large text overlay: Books about Easter to Read to Your Toddler

Easter Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

The Easter Story

A simple, gentle retelling of the key Christian events leading up to Easter.
It explains Jesus’ death and resurrection clearly without being frightening for young children. This is a great first introduction to the Gospel story.

Best for: Ages 2–5
Why parents love it: Faithful to Scripture but presented in soft, understandable language.

Good News! It’s Easter

Perfect for busy toddlers. With recognizable animals and engaging rhymes, this book emphasizes the joy and celebration of Easter.

Best for: Toddlers
Why parents love it: Short, rhythmic, and engaging for little attention spans.

Easter Is Coming

We love this padded board book for telling the traditional Easter story. The beautiful artwork and repeating phrases help even very young children remember what they’ve learned.

Best for: Babies–Preschool
Why parents love it: Durable, memorable, and easy to reread every year. Still a favorite of our big kids!

A photo of an Easter picture book held aloft with text underneath reaiding Theologically rich picture books for Easter

Rich Easter Storybooks for Elementary Kids

The Jesus Storybook Bible

I cannot recommend this enough. Beautifully written, visually engaging, age-appropriate, and spiritually rich. It weaves the entire Bible together, showing how every story whispers the name of Jesus. I read this to my oldest in the womb and we reread it every couple of years as a family. So good.

It may be a bit long for little-littles, but elementary-aged kids will love it — and you’ll likely read it for years–just like us!

Best for: Ages 4+
Why parents love it: Deep theology without feeling heavy.

Jesus Storybook Bible hardcover with leather teal blue cover lies on a coach ready for family devotion time

The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross: The True Story of Why Jesus Died and Rose Again

A beautiful and theologically rich explanation of why Jesus had to die and what His resurrection means. It connects the entire story of Scripture in a way children can grasp.

Best for: Ages 4–10
Why parents love it: Clear Gospel presentation that ties the Bible together.

The Friend Who Forgives: A True Story About How Peter Failed and Jesus Forgave

This is my kids’ favorite from the Tales That Tell the Truth series. It shares about the night Jesus was betrayed — but doesn’t stop there. It highlights Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and restoration of Peter. I love the focus on Jesus and Peter’s friendship!

Best for: Ages 4–10
Why parents love it: Teaches grace and restoration in a way kids understand.

the friend who forgives an orange kids Easter book about Jesus and Peter held aloft in a bright living room

The Donkey Who Carried the King

This book offers a unique perspective on Passion Week through the eyes of the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem. It gently invites children to follow the Suffering Servant.

I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s high on my list to add to our Easter bookshelf.

Best for: Ages 4–8
Why parents love it: Creative storytelling centered on Christ.

The Tale of Three Trees

We read this every Easter in my childhood, and it still brings tears to my eyes. A beautiful allegory that connects longing, sacrifice, and God’s bigger story.

Best for: Elementary ages
Why parents love it: Nostalgic, meaningful, and deeply moving.

the classic Easter book The Tale of Three Trees propped on a bookshelf with a plant beside it.

The Legend of the Easter Egg

This sweet story helps bridge the gap between Easter traditions and the story of Jesus. It’s a little long for wiggly toddlers but wonderful for older kids.

Best for: Ages 6+
Why parents love it: Connects cultural traditions to Gospel truth.

Unwrapping the Story of Jesus for Kids

The captivating story of how the mother encountered Jesus—and His beautiful names— as a little girl. Love the focus on Jesus as a real person who meets our real needs. A great retelling of His life and sacrifice for us.

Best for: Ages 4-12

Why parents love it: Emphasis on Jesus’ names and how each one means something to us personally–culminating with Savior! The illustrations are so detailed and gorgeous too!

unwrapping the names of Jesus book on a soft children's blankie with duplo legos scattered around it

Goodbye to Goodbyes: A True Story About Jesus, Lazarus, and an Empty Tomb

Another powerful book from the Tales That Tell the Truth series. It connects the story of Lazarus with Jesus’ own death and resurrection.

The illustrations are beautiful, and I especially appreciate the parenting section in the back that gives helpful talking points for discussing hard topics like death and hope.

Best for: Ages 6–12 (some of the content is a little heavy)
Why parents love it: Gentle but honest conversations about death and eternal hope.

Easter Devotionals & Family Bible Studies

If you want to go deeper than a one-night story and truly prepare your heart before Easter as a family, these are wonderful options.

The Wonder of Easter

A Lenten devotional designed for families. It includes questions for various ages, making it easy to apply what you read together.

Best for: Family devotional time
Why parents love it: Practical discussion questions built in.

A Jesus Easter

An interactive Bible study that walks through the Old Testament, Jesus’ death, and the resurrection. There is space for kids to draw or write responses, making it ideal for older children.

Best for: Older elementary kids
Why parents love it: Encourages personal reflection and ownership of faith.

The Action Bible Easter: 25 Stories About Jesus’ Resurrection

Stories are told from the viewpoint of 25 unique “eyewitnesses,” including the colt from Palm Sunday, the olive tree in Gethsemane, and Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb.

The comic-book style illustrations are especially engaging for kids who might not naturally gravitate toward reading. My kids love The Action Bible and I often catch them reading it on their own!

Best for: Ages 7+
Why parents love it: Visually compelling and creative.

Christian Easter books for kids on a shelf beside a plant and a wooden bowl

The Easter Storybook

A 40-day journey through the life of Jesus — from His birth and ministry to His death, resurrection, and ascension. This makes a meaningful family read during Lent and Holy Week.

Best for: Family read-aloud
Why parents love it: Structured, chronological storytelling.

How to Choose the Right Easter Book for Your Child

When choosing a Christian Easter book for kids, consider:

Your child’s attention span
Their emotional sensitivity
How much theological depth they’re ready for
Your capacity for a larger conversation (kids love asking questions!)
Whether you want a one-time read or a devotional format spread out over time

You don’t need to read or buy all of these! We have grown our collection of Easter books slowly, over time. (Just like we did our Christmas collection!) Even one or two intentional reading times leading up to Easter can open beautiful conversations about Jesus’ love, sacrifice, and victory over death.

More resources for intentional faith parenting and Christ-centered family rhythms:

If you’re trying to raise kids who know and love Jesus (without adding more chaos to your plate), these resources will help.

collage of a stack of Christian Easter books and a photo of kids in their sunday best smiling at the camera. Middle section has a text overlay reading: 15 Christ-Centered Easter Books for kids

Maybe your life feels like a renovation zone right now—messy, broken, and nowhere near finished. If you’ve ever wondered whether God’s rebuilding you or just letting everything fall apart, may this devotional remind you: He’s at work.

Home renovation in process in background with large text overlay reading: God's rebuilding you: And fixer uppers are kind of His thing

I’m a little obsessed with remodeling shows. I’ve loved them since Trading Spaces and This Old House dominated the landscape and I was just a teen with wispy bangs and a love for Justin Timberlake. My first major in college was actually interior design and I imagined myself renovating historic homes with love and authenticity.

God shifted my heart into counseling and theology, but I still love good design and of course, home renovation shows. My current favorite show is Hometown with Ben and Erin. But I’ll watch pretty much any remodeling show if it’s on–even if it’s cringe or completely unrealistic–I love a renovation.

But here’s what I’ve learned from all those episodes: every renovation uncovers something broken. And our lives? They work similarly.

Paul knew this. In 1 Corinthians 3:9 he says, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

If we’re God’s building project, then we’re all in some stage of renovation. The problems they find on these shows tend to fall into three categories—and I think our spiritual lives mirror them pretty closely.

Flawed doesn't mean worthless: God specializes in full restoration with a collage of a woman taking a mirror selfie and anothe rimage of a woman reading a Bible in front of a window

You can find more encouragement at God is With You in the Sacred and the Suck

First you have the big things, like the hole in the roof or the floor that’s falling in. It’s incredibly noticeable and you know off right off the bat, this is going to have to be dealt with.

The next two things are a bit more insidious. In the shows they involve a “shocking” revelation, desperate phone calls to the homeowner, and normally–more money than anyone wants to spend.

Things like a crooked foundation. Where things are just “off” and even though it may not seem like a big deal, every year it gets worse and worse.

Then there is my personal least favorite home renovation woe–infestations. Cockroaches, mice, termites–the things that make your skin crawl and are really hard to eradicate once and for all.

Here’s the thing about home renovation that always strikes me: ignoring the damage never makes it go away. That hole in the roof? It’ll only get bigger. The crooked foundation? It’ll shift further every year. The infestation? It spreads.

The same is true in our lives.

God’s Rebuilding You

I don’t know what the damage looks like in your life right now. Maybe it’s obvious—like a hole in the roof that everyone can see. Maybe it’s subtle—a foundation that’s been slowly shifting for years. Or maybe it’s an infestation of small things: discouragement, anxiety, bitterness creeping into every corner.

Whatever it is, we can’t ignore our way to healing. We don’t magically fix our hearts, our attitudes, our traumas, or our sin patterns. Real restoration takes intention: Scripture, prayer, therapy (the real kind, not the “coffee and Target” kind), recovery groups, the support of your community. It takes what Eugene Peterson called “a long obedience in the same direction.”

This isn’t HGTV. Your healing won’t wrap up neatly in 30 minutes with a big reveal.

But here’s the good news: no job is too big for God.

But….whether it is a hole in the roof or a crooked foundation or an infestation–He can handle it. Your Savior is a carpenter.

He’s good at fixing things.

Script font on a light pink background: God won't do a patch job on your heart

God refuses to do surface-level work. The prophet Jeremiah warned against this kind of fake healing:

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. -Jeremiah 6:14

We can’t slap a Band-Aid over deep wounds and call it healing—and God won’t either. He won’t settle for less than a full restoration for you. He doesn’t do patch jobs. What looks like breaking down is actually a healing process, so you can be rebuilt for health and lasting impact.

Our flaws don’t impact our worth in God’s eyes. Fixer uppers are kind of His thing. While restoration can be a long process, every repair intentionally brings wholeness and peace. You can surrender the broken places of your life to Jesus. Leave it in his nail-scarred hands, dear friend. He is a trustworthy carpenter.