Explaining 'BIG' Bible words to kids

Download a list of words - below

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Bible words

When teaching children the Bible, we sometimes use words that are unfamiliar to them. Words that are used mainly in a Bible, or in a Christian context, may not be understood by younger children or by those who do not come from a Christian background.

While we should not avoid using Bible-specific words, we should ensure that children understand what we are saying. One way of doing this is by using the word together with a short explanation. This can be done quite easily without interrupting the flow of one's talk.

Here are some examples of how the explanation of a word can be integrated into a sentence.

a. Then a leper—a man with a terrible skin disease—cried out...
b. Then they crucified Jesus—they nailed Him to a wooden cross.

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a. … Scripture, which is God’s Word, the Bible.
b. … Pentecost, which is a Jewish feast celebrating the beginning of the wheat harvest.

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a. A veil or curtain separated...
b. So he asked the seer or prophet…

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a. … repent, which means being sorry for one’s sin.
b. … Salvation, which means being saved from sin.

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A list of unfamiliar Bible words

While it is always best to come up with your own explanation of a difficult word, this list of Bible word explanations can help you get started.