Helping Kids Understand the Bible: “Jesus was a Zombie!”
By Pastor Karl Bastian, Kidology.org
When my son, Luke, was little, my sister gave him a Scooby-Doo DVD. My wife, Sara, and I had a little discussion about whether or not he was ready for something “scary.” Up to that point, he hadn’t seen any entertainment with ghosts, monsters, or vampires. We decided it might be best to hold off and save it for when he was older. But, as parenting often goes, the very next day he came home from the neighbor’s house, beaming with excitement, eager to tell us about a new show he’d discovered: Scooby-Doo! We looked at each other and laughed.
Thus began the Scooby-Doo era, which would last for many years.
Realizing there was no turning back, we decided to give him the DVD my sister had gifted, and the whole family sat down to watch it. Our goal was to monitor how he handled the scarier elements, ready to jump in with a discussion if anything confused or frightened him.
At the end of the episode, Luke turned to me with wide, curious eyes and asked, “Daddy, what is a zombie?”
I wanted to give him an honest answer while also helping him navigate the world of make-believe, so I explained, “Well, son, first of all, zombies aren’t real. You don’t have to worry about ever seeing one. But in the world of make-believe, they are dead people who come back to life.”
He sat quietly, clearly deep in thought. Then, suddenly, his face lit up with excitement, and he proudly exclaimed, “Oh! I get it! JESUS WAS A ZOMBIE!”
We still laugh about his enlightened discovery to this day. But beyond the humor, that moment was a powerful reminder of how children are constantly trying to make sense of what they see, hear, and learn—both from entertainment and from the Bible. Luke was trying to match what he knew about Jesus’ resurrection with this new, unfamiliar concept of zombies.
Our role as parents is to help them navigate these connections, guiding them to process what’s true, what’s make-believe, and, most importantly, what’s valuable in their spiritual lives.
The Importance of Explaining the Bible to Kids
We often hear the phrase, “Read your Bible!” And indeed, reading the Bible is incredibly important. It should be part of our daily lives. But reading isn’t enough—especially for kids. In the Old Testament, after rediscovering some of the lost scrolls of the Law, Nehemiah had the people read them aloud. But they didn’t stop there. Nehemiah 8:8 tells us, “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”
It wasn’t just about reading—it was about making sure everyone, young and old, could understand.
Similarly, as parents, it’s our responsibility not only to read the Bible with our children but to ensure they understand it. Kids will naturally have questions, like Luke did, and that’s good! It’s a sign they’re thinking critically and trying to connect the dots between the world around them and what they learn about God.
Practical Ways to Help Your Kids Understand the Bible
So how can we encourage our kids to ask questions and truly grasp what they’re reading?
Here are some practical ideas:
- Create a Safe Space for Questions
When reading the Bible with your children, pause and ask them if they have any questions. Encourage curiosity. Let them know that no question is too silly or too small. Whether it’s about a Bible story or a new concept, like zombies, embrace their curiosity and guide them with thoughtful, gentle answers.
- Use Easy-to-Understand Bibles
Consider giving your kids Bibles that are written in translations they can easily understand. Look for versions that include pictures, maps, and insets explaining cultural contexts, historical backgrounds, or difficult concepts. The New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) is a great example, as it’s written at a level young readers can comprehend.
- Engage with Bible Storybooks and Devotionals
In addition to a full Bible, storybooks or devotionals that break down complex stories into digestible lessons can be very helpful. They often include illustrations and simplified summaries, making it easier for children to grasp the key messages.
- Make It Interactive
Act out Bible stories with your kids, have them draw scenes from a passage, or even use toys to recreate the stories. The more interactive and engaging, the more they will retain and understand.
- Set Aside Time for Discussion
Reading the Bible together is important, but so is setting aside intentional time to discuss what they’ve read. Ask them, “What do you think this story is trying to teach us?” This helps them begin to apply biblical truths to their own lives.
- Pray Together
After reading the Bible, pray with your children. Ask God to help them understand His Word and to show them how they can live out the lessons they’ve learned.
The Bottom Line: Beyond Reading to Understanding
As parents, we do a lot to raise healthy kids. We carefully choose what they eat, provide a solid education, and encourage them to take part in sports and other extracurricular activities. But the most important thing we can do is encourage our children not only to read the Bible but to understand what they’re reading. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 55:11 that God’s Word does not return void. When we plant the seeds of Scripture in our kids’ hearts, God will use them in powerful ways.
No, Jesus was not a zombie. But He did rise from the dead, and He wants to be their child’s Best Friend and Savior. Our role as parents is to help our children understand the truth of the Bible, equipping them with the knowledge to make sense of the world and, most importantly, to know and follow Jesus.
Because Jesus Loves Children,
Pastor Karl Bastian, Kidology.org
