Everyday Inspiration: Timeless Bible Stories

Five Stories from the Bible That Remained Relatable Across Generations

It is a known fact that the Bible is an important pillar for most religious cultures. Christians and Jews believe that the Bible is sacred. It has been a trustworthy source of stories and important teachings that are translated to over 2000 different languages.

Whether you are a loyal follower of Christianity or not, it is undeniable that the parables, short stories, passages, and verses from the bible are part of human history. Some biblical stories even serve as inspiration for new ones.  However, not all of its stories are tailored for everyone. Some of them are often criticized over time and unappreciated especially by popular culture.

This is why we hand-picked five Bible stories that have proven themselves timeless and are fitting for kids, teenagers, adults, and traditional believers and non-traditional ones. These stories impart lessons that transcend all religious and generation differences.

The Creation

Genesis 1:1-2:7

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. — Genesis 1:1 (ESV)

The first two chapters of Genesis tells the story of how God created the earth and everything in it.  It is a detailed account of the seven days of creation.

The story of creation is the first document in the Old Testament.  This retelling of how the world began is considered an important story for children because it introduces them to a higher being that gives life to everything.  While some people do not believe in Jesus, a lot believe in a powerful god.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” — Luke 10:36-37 (ESV)

This parable starts at the time when a lawyer asked Jesus about how to achieve eternal life. Jesus cleared the lawyer’s confusion about who his neighbor is by telling the story of a traveler who was robbed and wounded. A priest and a Levite saw the helpless traveler yet they chose to ignore him. When the Samaritan saw the wounded stranger, he took care of him and single-mindedly helped him. This is what it means to be a good neighbor.

This is one of the most popular stories in the bible and one of the many stories from Jesus that was often retold to kids.  Nothing teaches charity, goodness, and volunteerism better than the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jonah and the Whale

Jonah 1:1-2:10

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord! — Jonah 2:9

God ordered Jonah to go to Nineveh and to tell its people to repent or else He will destroy the city. Jonah refused to do so and went on a different journey. While in the middle of the sea, a storm struck and everyone in the ship called God for help. Jonah knew that he was the reason for the storm. The men from the ship threw Jonah into the sea, and God helped him by sending a giant fish (whale). The fish swallowed Jonah and kept him safe for three days while he prayed to God for forgiveness.

The first two books of Jonah from the Old Testament tell this story of God’s compassion. The third and fourth book of Jonah also edifies how God’s love is not measured by sins, but by humility in asking for forgiveness.

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. — Matthew 25:29 (ESV)

The Parable of the Talents tells the story of a rich man who left different numbers of talents (big amount of money) to his servants before he went on a journey. He left the first servant with five talents, the second one with two, and the third one with one. When he came back, the first two servants doubled their talents by investing them, and the third one did not gain or lose because the servant buried the talent. The master rewarded the servants who made profit from the talents and punished the one who didn’t.

This seemingly harsh tale tells a significant lesson about talents or gifts—that these should not be hidden; instead, it should be used and developed. This parable has been adapted to businesses and self-development purposes. It is a great story for kids and adults alike, reminding them that anything not put into use will lose value.

The Lost Sheep / The Lost Coin/ The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:1-32

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. — Luke 15:7 (ESV)

The Lost Sheep talks about the shepherd with a hundred sheep. When one of the sheep goes missing, the shepherd went out of his way to find that one sheep and left the ninety-nine behind.  The Lost Coin talks about a woman with ten coins, and when she lost one, she looked hard for it and rejoiced when it was found. The Prodigal Son talks about a man with two sons. The younger son was wasteful and left his father’s house. When the son came back to his father and repented, the father rejoiced and this made his older son jealous. The man reconciles with the older son saying, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”

These stories are told in one chapter are all interrelated. It basically shows how the Lord forgives everyone and that every single one of his people is important to him.

Most of us grew up with bible storytelling on Sundays. The first stories that inspired us the most were from the Bible, and these probably made us write our first stories as well. The Bible has these stories that remain relatable across time.