Bilble passages for a child
June 14, 2007 9:02 AM Subscribe
I've been asked to provide a favorite Bible passage to a friend's six year old child who is starting his religious instruction. Not having nearly the bible knowledge of a Bertie Wooster, I'm asking the hive mind for a favorite passage that might be instructive or inspirational and suitable for a young child. Extra credit if it teaches tolerance of other's beliefs.
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
posted by LarryC at 9:14 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by LarryC at 9:14 AM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs holds tons of simple wisdom in short, memorable bites that kids can grasp.
27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
And so forth.
posted by hermitosis at 9:18 AM on June 14, 2007
27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
And so forth.
posted by hermitosis at 9:18 AM on June 14, 2007
this is like, everyone's favorite passage to give to younger Christians:
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
- 1 Timothy 4:12
posted by pinksoftsoap at 9:19 AM on June 14, 2007
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
- 1 Timothy 4:12
posted by pinksoftsoap at 9:19 AM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
posted by boo_radley at 9:20 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by boo_radley at 9:20 AM on June 14, 2007
my favorite bible passage, hands down, luke 10:7, where jesus says, depending on the edition, "the worker is worthy of his wages" or "the laborer is worthy of his hire". i've used it in court.
posted by bruce at 9:27 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by bruce at 9:27 AM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs is all pretty much good for munchkins, except for a few verses about watching out for ill-intending ladies.
There's also 1st Corinthians, Ch.13, which basically states, that, even though I can accomplish all this great stuff, if I don't have love, then it's all worth approximately jack.
posted by Quarter Pincher at 9:27 AM on June 14, 2007
There's also 1st Corinthians, Ch.13, which basically states, that, even though I can accomplish all this great stuff, if I don't have love, then it's all worth approximately jack.
posted by Quarter Pincher at 9:27 AM on June 14, 2007
"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
Luke 6:38b (NAB)
"And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more."
Luke 12:48 (DRV)
posted by jquinby at 9:33 AM on June 14, 2007
Luke 6:38b (NAB)
"And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more."
Luke 12:48 (DRV)
posted by jquinby at 9:33 AM on June 14, 2007
Luke 6:27-38:
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,posted by caddis at 9:44 AM on June 14, 2007
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 25:34-40. It's a bit of a long passage, but it's the rather famous passage that ends with:
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Not quite addressing tolerance, but at least a universal compassion.
For a beautiful passage about faith, there's Hebrews 11, which may be too long and rambling for a child, but a child might enjoy the references to other Biblical stories.
posted by artifarce at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2007
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Not quite addressing tolerance, but at least a universal compassion.
For a beautiful passage about faith, there's Hebrews 11, which may be too long and rambling for a child, but a child might enjoy the references to other Biblical stories.
posted by artifarce at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs is all pretty much good for munchkins, except for a few verses about watching out for ill-intending ladies.
I was just about to mention Proverbs 11:22, which is my father's favorite bible verse. I don't even remember learning it; I feel like I've known it all my life due to my father constantly saying it.
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion".
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
I was just about to mention Proverbs 11:22, which is my father's favorite bible verse. I don't even remember learning it; I feel like I've known it all my life due to my father constantly saying it.
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion".
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2007 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: These are terrific suggestions so far, and I especially enjoy the gold ring passage, though I'll save that one for an older group!
posted by bbranden1 at 9:56 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by bbranden1 at 9:56 AM on June 14, 2007
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19.14
posted by puddleglum at 9:59 AM on June 14, 2007
Matthew 19.14
posted by puddleglum at 9:59 AM on June 14, 2007
Bah, mis-typed the verse number on my second suggestion. caddis posted the whole passage though.
posted by jquinby at 10:04 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by jquinby at 10:04 AM on June 14, 2007
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Always a personal favorite, and good advice for all faiths.
Another very edifying passage: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 (NIV).
posted by leapfrog at 10:17 AM on June 14, 2007
Always a personal favorite, and good advice for all faiths.
Another very edifying passage: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 (NIV).
posted by leapfrog at 10:17 AM on June 14, 2007
As a leader for my church's youth group, I had Proverbs 3:5-6 printed on my business cards:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
posted by DWRoelands at 10:38 AM on June 14, 2007
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
posted by DWRoelands at 10:38 AM on June 14, 2007
This site seems to have some good quotes tying to tolerance. I particularly like the following in regards to tolerance of those who don't follow Jesus...
Luke 9:52-56: "...they did not receive him...And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."
posted by TheDukeofLancaster at 10:52 AM on June 14, 2007
Luke 9:52-56: "...they did not receive him...And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."
posted by TheDukeofLancaster at 10:52 AM on June 14, 2007
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my good to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaulteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Source: I Corinthians (ch. XIII, v.1- 4)
"Charity" is also often taken as "love" in the above verses.
(And bonus points to you for the Bertie Wooster reference in your post! Be still my heart.)
posted by misha at 10:53 AM on June 14, 2007
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my good to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaulteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Source: I Corinthians (ch. XIII, v.1- 4)
"Charity" is also often taken as "love" in the above verses.
(And bonus points to you for the Bertie Wooster reference in your post! Be still my heart.)
posted by misha at 10:53 AM on June 14, 2007
These passages remind me how much of the bible is good, solid wisdom. I often forget that when surrounded by literalists and by stereotyped representations of the bible.
posted by lostburner at 11:26 AM on June 14, 2007
posted by lostburner at 11:26 AM on June 14, 2007
Probably the single most relevant verses in the Bible for small children are in 2Kings 2:23-24:
"He [Elisha] went up from there to Beth-El. He was going on the road when small children came out from the city and they mocked him, saying to him: "Go on, baldy. Go on, baldy." He turned after them, looked at them and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Two she-bears came out of the woods and tore apart forty-two of the children."
posted by felix betachat at 11:32 AM on June 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
"He [Elisha] went up from there to Beth-El. He was going on the road when small children came out from the city and they mocked him, saying to him: "Go on, baldy. Go on, baldy." He turned after them, looked at them and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Two she-bears came out of the woods and tore apart forty-two of the children."
posted by felix betachat at 11:32 AM on June 14, 2007 [5 favorites]
I've always liked John 3:8 -
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Also, I'm a firm believer that the virtue of courage / bravery is not taught to most young men as it should be, so if it happens to be a male child you've been asked to do this for, consider Joshua 1:7-9:
"7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Also, Prov 16:9 -
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Also, Ecc. 3:1-8
"1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace."
Also, (sorry, last one), some part or a mixture of Lamentations 3:19-32
19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“ Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust—
There may yet be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:03 PM on June 14, 2007
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Also, I'm a firm believer that the virtue of courage / bravery is not taught to most young men as it should be, so if it happens to be a male child you've been asked to do this for, consider Joshua 1:7-9:
"7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Also, Prov 16:9 -
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Also, Ecc. 3:1-8
"1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace."
Also, (sorry, last one), some part or a mixture of Lamentations 3:19-32
19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“ Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust—
There may yet be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:03 PM on June 14, 2007
felix betachat beat me to my favorite. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
posted by crinklebat at 12:16 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by crinklebat at 12:16 PM on June 14, 2007
The following scripture got me not only through my young childhood (when I was a lonely, fearful outcast) but through the turbulence of my teenage years:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8:38, 39
posted by Danila at 1:32 PM on June 14, 2007
For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8:38, 39
posted by Danila at 1:32 PM on June 14, 2007
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
posted by domino at 1:32 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by domino at 1:32 PM on June 14, 2007
Micah 6:8
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
posted by jeanmari at 1:55 PM on June 14, 2007
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
posted by jeanmari at 1:55 PM on June 14, 2007
Response by poster: Yet more wonderful quotes. Thank you.
posted by bbranden1 at 2:09 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by bbranden1 at 2:09 PM on June 14, 2007
1 John 4:16 (2nd sentence only)
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
(That's King James -- RSV uses "abides" instead of "dwelleth".)
posted by bukvich at 3:02 PM on June 14, 2007
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
(That's King James -- RSV uses "abides" instead of "dwelleth".)
posted by bukvich at 3:02 PM on June 14, 2007
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
1 John 4.16-20
I also like this poem from 1 John 2.12-14:
I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
posted by puddleglum at 3:31 PM on June 14, 2007
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
1 John 4.16-20
I also like this poem from 1 John 2.12-14:
I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
posted by puddleglum at 3:31 PM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs 27:14: "He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him."
posted by ottereroticist at 3:40 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by ottereroticist at 3:40 PM on June 14, 2007
Proverbs 27:14 -- not just for drunks anymore!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 4:03 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by bitter-girl.com at 4:03 PM on June 14, 2007
Not sure if this is what you want, but when I was in sunday school, my personal favorite was the nonsensical Isaiah 60:6:
"A multitude of camels will cover you. "
Maybe not inspirational per se, but it definitely got me reading the Bible to find what it was talking about!
posted by trim17 at 4:52 PM on June 14, 2007
"A multitude of camels will cover you. "
Maybe not inspirational per se, but it definitely got me reading the Bible to find what it was talking about!
posted by trim17 at 4:52 PM on June 14, 2007
My favorite is 1 Thessalonians 5:16: Always be joyful. (NLV translation)
posted by IndigoRain at 5:14 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by IndigoRain at 5:14 PM on June 14, 2007
At six years old, I doubt the child will appreciate any of these very beautiful passages, but I certainly do. When she's (or he's) fifteen and can't stand her parents, show her Jonah. It's the only consistently funny book in the Bible. And it teaches tolerance of other's beliefs -- one of the very few books in the Bible to do so. When I first read Jonah, I felt I had discovered a secret -- passed through the millenia -- first told by a very wise, very kind, and very witty person.
posted by ferdydurke at 5:18 PM on June 14, 2007
posted by ferdydurke at 5:18 PM on June 14, 2007
I think the wisdom of six year olds would amaze you. They will understand the concepts. However, it might pay to choose a more readable version than King James, for instance the NIV. Here is the passage I quoted in NIV:
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.posted by caddis at 6:20 PM on June 14, 2007
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
I chose this to be engraved on the inside of my wife's wedding ring:
"Perfect love casts out fear." --1 John 4:18
She chose this for mine:
"Many waters cannot quench love." --Song of Solomon 8:7
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 11:12 PM on June 14, 2007
"Perfect love casts out fear." --1 John 4:18
She chose this for mine:
"Many waters cannot quench love." --Song of Solomon 8:7
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 11:12 PM on June 14, 2007
Amos 9.7:
“Are you Israelites more important to me
than the Ethiopians?” asks the Lord.
“I brought Israel out of Egypt,
but I also brought the Philistines from Crete
and led the Arameans out of Kir.
posted by puddleglum at 1:58 AM on June 15, 2007
“Are you Israelites more important to me
than the Ethiopians?” asks the Lord.
“I brought Israel out of Egypt,
but I also brought the Philistines from Crete
and led the Arameans out of Kir.
posted by puddleglum at 1:58 AM on June 15, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:11 AM on June 14, 2007