When it comes to bedtime, a good story can truly move you and help you achieve a better night’s sleep—now matter how old you are. The Bible is full of stories that can invoke feelings of wonder, amazement, and passionate worship. What better time to read a Bible story than just before bed? You can include these in your bedtime routine, before or after prayers, or simply by themselves as an alternative to nightly prayer.
The best part about these four chosen stories is that they’re for both kids and adults. We often hear of stories meant for children or told in such a way so as to appeal to them, but these four can appeal to people of all ages with simple messages. We’ll explore Adam and Eve in the Garden, the story of David and Goliath, and more. Let’s dive in!
- Adam and Eve In The Garden
Christian bedtime stories usually have an important message or moral to teach, and none more than the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This story is great for children because it teaches them why life must include suffering, how that suffering is only temporary, and also the consequences of disobedience to God. Adults can learn similar lessons from this story, and sometimes, it’s just good to read about where we all came from and how God works.
The story of Adam and Eve is probably one of the most well-known in all of Christendom, but we’ll give you a little refresher.
Adam was the first human, and from his rib, God created Eve. They lived together in peace and harmony with all living things in the Garden of Eden, which God gave them unrestricted access and dominance over. There was but one stipulation: they were not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge Of Good And Evil.
The rest, as they say, is history. Eve ate the fruit and tempted Adam, who also ate it. From then on, they were forced to toil in the dirt for their livelihood, wear clothing, and every soul born thereafter was stained with the original sin. That’s why we get baptized.
- David And Goliath
Who doesn’t love a good hero story? Even for adults, this story can be used as a lesson in perseverance and bravery. The story shows us that even the smallest of us can make a huge difference in the world, and that with the right attitude, God’s guidance, and a little courage, even the most frightening and seemingly impossible odds become attainable.
The story begins with a war between the Israelites and the Philistines. Each day, a massive Philistine named Goliath would shout out a challenge to the Israelites. Any man who was brave enough should meet him head-to-head in battle, but none were so courageous. Until David.
David wasn’t happy that Goliath was openly challenging the armies of God, so he told King Saul that he would fight the giant. Of course, being only a small shepherd boy at the time, David wasn’t exactly the army’s (or the King’s) first pick. However, his peers underestimated him, and a single stone from his sling was enough to topple and kill Goliath. Even the smallest person in the army stood up to danger, impossible odds, and doubts from his fellow Israealites—and prevailed.
- Noah’s Flood
Noah’s flood often invokes wonder in children, and reminds adults (and children alike) that God is loving, but also fierce in his requirements for us. In the days of Noah, the world had fallen into chaos and sin. Noah, and his family (which included three sons), were favored by the Lord for their righteousness and dedication to him. It was for this reason that Noah and his family were chosen to build, inhabit, and sail the great Ark when the flood came.
God came to Noah and provided him instructions on how to build the Ark, including the exact measurements. He also said:
“Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.”
The animals came to Noah by God’s command, and when the great flood came, Noah and his family (and the host of animals) survived.
This is a great story for teaching about the wonders of God’s power and his wrath. He is merciful and kind to those who believe in and serve him faithfully.
- The Lost Sheep
This story comes to us from Matthew in the New Testament. It’s meant to help us understand why Jesus would keep company with sinners, and why we, too, should try to help guide such people into the loving arms of Christ.
Jesus said:
“If one of you has 100 sheep and even if one is lost, will you not leave the rest and go to look for the lost sheep? When you find it, you are very happy and tell everyone that you found your lost sheep. You will call your friends and celebrate. In the same way, when a sinner repents, there is a lot of rejoicing in heaven.”
This tells us that even those who don’t hold true to God and His word can be forgiven. This is important for both adults and children alike, because it teaches us to help guide rather than judge the sinners and non-believers.
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