3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Peace

By Melanie Rainer

3 Bible Stories . . .Bible StoriesBible TeachingFruit of the SpiritPeace

My kids are not inherently peaceful people; but really, are any of us? They fight, yell, use their loudest voices to communicate the smallest things, interrupt constantly, and leave a trail of clutter literally everywhere. Nothing about our home is peaceful, and yet Scripture calls us to have peaceful spirits.

As parents (and people), how do we cultivate a spirit of peace in the utterly un-peaceful world of children? A spirit of peace transcends the chaos of a given moment. It doesn’t mean living a zen-like existence, but rather being secure in the ultimate promises that give us peace, no matter what comes our way.

The first place we can go to is God’s Word, and see what God says about peace.

3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Peace

Jacob and Esau

Genesis 25, 33

Bible Truth: Peace comes through forgiveness and repentance.

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Because he was the oldest, Esau should have had the better birthright. But Jacob tricked Esau into giving up his birthright, and later Jacob stole their father’s blessing from Esau. Esau was very mad and Jacob left for many years. When Jacob was ready to return, he was very nervous. How could he be at peace with his brother, when he had done so many wrong things? Would they be able to live peacefully? When they met, Jacob tried to give Esau gifts, but Esau just forgave him. This is a beautiful example of peace between two brothers after years of being angry and apart!

Related Memory Verse: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Continue the conversation about Jacob and Esau in these Minno episodes:

Holy Moly: Jacob and Esau

Bibleman: Braving the Big Battle with the Baroness

Read and Share Bible: Jacob and Esau

. . . . . . . . . .

Abigail, David, and Nabal

1 Samuel 25

Bible Truth: Be a peacemaker.

During the time David was running from King Saul, he sent some of his men to ask a landowner named Nabal to share some food and supplies. Nabal was mean and said no and insulted David, who told his men to get ready to fight. But Nabal’s wife Abigail was wise and kind! She took David supplies and food and encouraged him not to attack Nabal in revenge. David thanked her for stopping the attack and keeping the peace!

Related Memory Verse: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

. . . . . . . . . .

Jesus Gives Us Peace

John 14:27–31

In John 14, Jesus is talking to His disciples shortly before He is crucified. He knows they will be scared, but He promises them a spirit of peace. Even though He will leave them, He promises them “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

He doesn’t promise His disciples a peaceful, easy life when they will always relax and never experience conflict or fear. But He does promise that ultimately, they will live together again in peace when Jesus returns. That means that no matter what they face, the disciples’ future is secure because of Jesus. This gives them true peace, not a peace based on their situation. We can share in that same peace when we believe in Jesus!

Related Memory Verse: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27