Bible Stories That Build Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Growth in Kids

May 22

As Christian parents, we don’t just want our children to know Bible stories—we want them to understand God’s character through them. We want our kids to know how deeply they are loved and how to respond to the world with compassion, courage, and forgiveness.

One powerful way to nurture that understanding is by using Bible stories to teach about emotions, relationships, and faith. The Bible is full of people who felt anger, sadness, fear, jealousy, joy, and peace—and God met them right where they were.

This approach helps children:

Learn to name their feelings
Understand that emotions aren’t “bad” or “wrong”
See how God cares about their hearts
Practice the tools of forgiveness, empathy, and faith

Let’s walk through one example together!

Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37–50)

This story illustrates the importance of forgiveness, resilience, and reconciliation. Despite facing betrayal and adversity, Joseph forgave his brothers and trusted in God’s plan.

Read the story with your kid(s) at their level – paraphrase or shorten if needed.

Here’s a quick, simplified summary of the story that you can read them:

Joseph was one of twelve brothers, and his father loved him very much—so much that he gave Joseph a special colorful coat. This made his brothers jealous. One day, they did something very hurtful: they sold Joseph to strangers and told their father he was gone.

Joseph ended up far from home, working in Egypt. Even though life was very hard, Joseph trusted God. Over time, God helped Joseph do great things, and he became a powerful leader in Egypt.

Many years later, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt needing food. They didn’t recognize Joseph at first—but Joseph knew them. Instead of getting revenge, Joseph chose to forgive them. He said, “What you meant for harm, God used for good.”

Joseph trusted God’s plan, even through pain. And he showed forgiveness and love, just like God wants us to.

While reading, pause and ask:

“How do you think Joseph felt when his brothers sold him?”
“What emotions might his brothers have been feeling?”
“What could his brothers have done or said instead of hurting him?”

Then explain:
Joseph forgave his brothers, which is what Jesus teaches us to do. We don’t always feel like forgiving, but God gives us the strength to do it anyway.

Ask your child:

“Is there anything you need to ask God for forgiveness for?”
“Is there someone you need to forgive?”
“What could you do if you’re upset with someone?”

This simple, heart-centered approach makes Scripture feel relatable and personal. And it plants seeds of faith that grow over time.

Want More Stories Like This?

I’ve created a free printable guide with 6 Bible stories that help kids grow in emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity. Each story includes: