How to Use Children’s Books to Disciple Your Kids in Faith and Character
Why Stories Are One of the Most Powerful Tools for Discipling Children
As Christian parents, we want our children to grow in faith, develop godly character, and learn to see the world through a biblical worldview. We often turn to family devotions, Scripture memorization, and Bible studies to help accomplish these goals. But there is another powerful discipleship tool we may overlook: storytelling.
In this episode of Prayers for Parents, I sat down with Gayle Veitenheimer, a Bible teacher, author, and host of the Christian Grandparenting Podcast, to discuss how children’s literature can shape our children’s hearts and help us have meaningful conversations about faith.
Gayle is the co-author of The Kingswell Kid Detectives, a middle-grade mystery series for children ages 8–12. The first book, The Mystery of the Missing Falls, weaves themes of prayer and hearing God’s voice into an engaging mystery.
Our conversation explored why stories are so effective for discipleship, how to choose books that cultivate biblical virtues, and how parents and grandparents can use ordinary moments to nurture a lasting faith in the next generation.
Prefer to listen on the go? Here’s the full conversation on the podcast.
1. Stories Help Children Internalize Biblical Truth
Stories do more than entertain. They invite readers into another person’s experiences, allowing them to see challenges unfold, witness the consequences of decisions, and experience the growth of a character firsthand.
As Gayle explained, presenting a truth through a story can engage children differently than presenting the same information in a lesson. Instead of simply hearing about courage, sacrifice, or forgiveness, children can watch a character wrestle with those virtues and see what happens when they are practiced—or neglected.
This is one reason stories can be such an effective tool for Christian discipleship.
Think about how Jesus taught. He frequently used parables to reveal spiritual truths through familiar situations and memorable characters. Scripture itself contains many narratives that show us God’s character and His work among His people.
Stories give children a way to explore biblical principles through concrete examples. They can consider what a character did, why a decision mattered, and how the situation might have unfolded differently.
You do not have to turn every reading session into a Bible lesson. Sometimes, simply enjoying a well-written story together creates opportunities for deeper conversations later.
2. Choose Books That Cultivate Biblical Character
Not every book your child reads needs to be explicitly Christian. As Gayle shared, parents can find valuable themes in classic literature and other well-written stories, even when the books do not directly mention God.
The important thing is to read thoughtfully and consider the worldview, virtues, and consequences presented in the story.
Some books offer natural opportunities to discuss:
Sacrificial love: What does it look like to put another person’s needs ahead of our own?
Friendship and loyalty: How do we love others when it costs us something?
Courage: What does it mean to do what is right even when we are afraid?
Humility: How can a character learn to look beyond personal wants and consider others?
Obedience and wisdom: What can happen when we ignore wise counsel?
Forgiveness and reconciliation: How should we respond when someone hurts us?
The value of life: What does a story teach us about caring for others?
Gayle mentioned beloved classics such as Charlotte’s Web, The Secret Garden, Peter Rabbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings as examples of stories that offer rich opportunities to explore character and virtue.
Of course, thoughtful book selection matters. Some older books contain troubling assumptions or portrayals that deserve discussion. Rather than automatically avoiding every imperfect story, parents can sometimes use those moments to help children examine the attitudes of a particular time, compare them with biblical truth, and consider how we should treat others.
Reading alongside your children—or reading a book yourself before handing it to them—helps you guide those conversations with wisdom.
3. Use Family Read-Alouds to Start Meaningful Conversations
One of the simplest ways to incorporate literature into family discipleship is to make reading together a regular habit.
Family read-alouds give parents and children a shared experience to revisit throughout the day. A character’s difficult decision might prompt a conversation about honesty. A story about friendship might open the door to discussing sacrificial love. A frightening situation might help a child think through courage and trust.
You do not need to prepare a formal lesson for every chapter. Instead, ask thoughtful questions as you read.
Try questions like these:
What did you think about the character’s decision?
Why do you think they acted that way?
What would you have done in that situation?
What did this story teach us about loving other people?
Did the character make a wise choice? Why or why not?
What might this story help us understand about God or His Word?
These questions help children practice discernment rather than merely absorbing a story passively.
Reading together also gives parents an opportunity to address difficult subjects while children are still at home, where conversations can happen in a safe and loving environment. Literature can introduce complex ideas gradually, helping children develop the biblical framework they will need as they grow older.
4. Disciple Your Children Through Stories, Not Just Lessons
Christian parents sometimes feel pressure to find the perfect curriculum, add another devotional, or do more to ensure their children grow spiritually.
But discipleship is not simply a matter of checking off enough lessons.
Gayle encouraged parents to recognize the value of ordinary moments and to depend on the Holy Spirit for wisdom about what their children need. That same principle applies to reading together.
A story may raise a question you did not anticipate. Your child might identify with a character who struggles with fear, anger, jealousy, or loneliness. Rather than rushing to correct the behavior or deliver a prepared lesson, take the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and explore what Scripture teaches.
You can also share your own reflections. Explain why a character’s actions moved you, how a particular passage of Scripture helps you understand the story, or how you have wrestled with a similar temptation.
These conversations help children see that biblical truth is not confined to a church service or family devotional. It speaks into real life.
The goal is not to make every book overtly religious. It is to help children develop the discernment to recognize goodness, understand human weakness, value virtue, and evaluate the world through the truth of God’s Word.
5. Grandparents Have an Important Role in Faith Formation
Discipleship does not end with parents. Grandparents can play a meaningful role in helping the next generation know the Lord.
Gayle shared that becoming a grandmother increased her sense of urgency about passing on a legacy of faith. She began praying more intentionally about what to discuss with her grandchildren and asking God to guide her conversations.
One particularly meaningful experience happened while she was babysitting two of her grandchildren. After praying about what God wanted her to discuss with them, Gayle used a simple conversation about the difference between their family and a hired worker to explain the difference between being a worker and being a child in a family.
That conversation led to a question about how someone becomes a child of God—and an opportunity to talk about the gospel.
The moment was not the result of an elaborate lesson. It began with prayer, attentiveness, and an ordinary conversation.
Grandparents can use books, family stories, shared activities, and everyday experiences in the same way. They can reinforce biblical truths that parents are already teaching and provide another trusted voice in a child’s life.
If you are a parent, consider inviting grandparents who share your faith to participate intentionally in your children’s spiritual formation. If you are a grandparent, ask God to show you how to encourage the children in your family, even if you live far away or see them only occasionally.
6. Teach Children to Recognize God’s Voice Through Prayer and Scripture
In The Mystery of the Missing Falls, prayer and hearing God speak are central themes. Gayle and her co-author wanted to model faith in everyday life rather than present spiritual growth as something detached from ordinary experiences.
During our conversation, Gayle encouraged parents to practice listening to God alongside their children. Parents can share how they pray, discuss how God guides them, and invite children to pray about their own questions and concerns.
At the same time, children need to learn that spiritual impressions must be tested against Scripture. God will not contradict His Word.
This provides an important opportunity to teach children that following God involves both dependence on Him and discernment grounded in biblical truth.
You do not need to have every answer before beginning these conversations. You can pray together, open the Bible, ask questions, and continue learning as a family.
Faith formation is not about manufacturing a particular experience. It is about helping children grow in their knowledge of God and learn to trust Him in everyday life.
7. Start Small: You Don’t Need to Do More to Disciple Your Children Well
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from my conversation with Gayle is that faithful discipleship does not require an elaborate program or a perfect routine.
When asked what she would tell an overwhelmed Christian mother or grandmother, Gayle emphasized partnering with the Holy Spirit rather than simply striving to do more. She encouraged parents to cultivate an ongoing conversation with God and trust Him to provide wisdom for the children in their care.
That encouragement is especially important in seasons when long, uninterrupted quiet times are difficult or family life feels overwhelming.
You can begin with one simple practice: choose a good book and read a little together.
Ask a question. Talk about a character’s choices. Connect a moment in the story to a biblical truth when it naturally arises. Pray for wisdom as you parent. Trust that God can use ordinary moments to shape your family.
Over time, these small habits can become part of a home where faith is discussed naturally, virtue is practiced intentionally, and children learn to see their lives through the lens of Scripture.
Discover More from Gayle Veitenheimer
If you want to explore children’s literature as a tool for Christian discipleship, Gayle has created a free resource with tips for engaging children through literature, reading lists, children’s literature blogs, and additional recommendations.
You can also learn more about her work through these resources:
The Kingswell Kid Detectives: Explore The Mystery of the Missing Falls, the first book in a middle-grade mystery series for ages 8–12 that incorporates spiritual themes into an engaging story.
Gayle Veitenheimer’s website: Find information about her writing and resources.
Christian Grandparenting Podcast: Explore encouragement and practical ideas for discipling grandchildren.
Kingswell Kids: Discover more about the book series and its related resources.
Listen to the Full Episode
How can ordinary stories become opportunities for extraordinary conversations about faith? And how can parents and grandparents disciple children without feeling pressured to do more and more?
Listen to this episode of Prayers for Parents with Gayle Veitenheimer for a thoughtful conversation about Christian parenting, children’s literature, family read-alouds, and passing a legacy of faith to the next generation.
As you choose your next family read, remember: a good story can do more than entertain. It can help your children explore virtue, wrestle with difficult questions, and grow in wisdom—with you alongside them to point them toward what is true, good, and beautiful.
