10 Bible Stories About Patience For Kids

Are you looking for Bible Stories about Patience for kids so you can teach them about being patient? You're in the right place! Patience is one of the most important lessons children can learn, and the Bible is packed with amazing stories that show us what real patience looks like.

I have put together a list of 10 powerful Bible stories that teach children (and adults!) how to be patient in everyday life. Each story includes the Bible verses so you can read them together, plus simple lessons your kids can understand and apply.

See also: Stories of Healing in the Bible

Top 10 Stories at a Glance

10 Bible Stories About Patience For Kids

1. Abraham and Sarah Wait for a Baby (Genesis 12-21)

When Abraham was 75 years old, God made him an amazing promise: "You will have a son, and your family will become a great nation!" But there was one big problem. Abraham and his wife Sarah didn't have any children yet, and they were already very old.

Year after year went by. Abraham turned 80, then 85, then 90. Still no baby. Can you imagine waiting that long? Sometimes Abraham and Sarah wondered if God had forgotten His promise. But Abraham kept believing God would keep His word.

Finally, when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, their baby boy Isaac was born! They had waited 25 years, but God's promise came true. Their patience and faith were rewarded with the greatest joy imaginable.

What We Learn: Sometimes God's timing is very different from our timing. When we wait and keep trusting God, amazing things can happen!

Bible Verses: Genesis 12, Genesis 15, Genesis 21:1-7

2. Job Stays Faithful Through Terrible Troubles (Book of Job)

Job was a good man who loved God very much. He had a big family, lots of animals, and a wonderful life. But then something terrible happened. In one day, Job lost almost everything. His animals were stolen or died. His children died in a terrible accident. And then Job got very, very sick with painful sores all over his body.

Job's friends came to visit, but they weren't very helpful. They told Job that all these bad things must be his fault. Job's wife told him to give up on God. But Job refused to stop trusting God, even though he was confused and hurting.

Job asked God many questions, and he was honest about how sad he felt. But he never stopped believing that God was good. After a very long time of suffering and waiting, God blessed Job with a new family, new animals, and good health again. Job lived a long, happy life.

What We Learn: Even when life is really hard and we don't understand why, we can be patient and keep trusting God. It's okay to ask questions and feel sad, but don't give up!

Bible Verses: Job 1-2, Job 42

Related: Bible Characters Who Failed and Succeeded

3. Hannah Prays for a Baby (1 Samuel 1-2)

Hannah wanted a baby more than anything in the world. But year after year, no baby came. To make things worse, another woman in her family already had children and would make fun of Hannah for not having any. This made Hannah so sad that sometimes she would cry and couldn't even eat.

Every year, Hannah went to God's temple to pray. One year, she prayed so hard that her lips were moving but no sound came out. The priest Eli thought something was wrong with her! But Hannah explained that she was pouring her heart out to God.

Hannah made God a special promise: "If you give me a son, I will dedicate him to serve you all his life." God heard Hannah's prayer. Soon she had a baby boy named Samuel. When Samuel was old enough, Hannah kept her promise and took him to live at the temple with Eli, where he grew up to become one of God's greatest prophets.

What We Learn: When we pray patiently and don't give up, God hears us. Sometimes He asks us to make sacrifices, but His plans are always good.

Bible Verses: 1 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Related: The Story of Hannah in the Bible and Story of Samuel in the Bible

4. David Waits to Become King (1 Samuel 16-31, 2 Samuel 1-5)

When David was just a young teenager watching his father's sheep, God sent the prophet Samuel to his house with incredible news: "David, God has chosen you to be the next king of Israel!"

That sounds exciting, right? But here's the thing. There was already a king named Saul, and David had to wait many, many years before he could actually become king. During those years, life got really hard for David. King Saul became jealous and tried to kill him! David had to run away and hide in caves. He had to leave his home and family. He could have gotten angry or tried to take the throne by force, but he didn't.

David waited patiently for about 15 years. Even when he had chances to hurt King Saul, he refused because he trusted God's timing. Finally, when the time was right, David became king. He was about 30 years old, and he became one of the greatest kings in Israel's history.

What We Learn: Even when we know God has promised us something wonderful, we might have to wait a long time for it. Being patient means trusting God's perfect timing, not trying to make things happen our own way.

Bible Verses: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Related: David and Goliath Bible Story for Kids and David Spares Saul's Life

5. Noah Builds the Ark (Genesis 6-9)

God told Noah to build a gigantic boat called an ark. But here's what made this really strange: it had never rained before, and Noah lived far away from any ocean! God said a great flood was coming, and Noah needed to build this huge boat to save his family and the animals.

Building the ark wasn't quick work. It took Noah and his sons about 100 years to finish it! Can you imagine working on the same project for your whole life? While Noah worked, other people probably laughed at him and thought he was silly for building such a big boat on dry land.

But Noah kept working with patience, trusting that God knew what He was doing. When the ark was finally finished and the animals were loaded inside, the rain came just as God had promised. Noah's patient obedience saved his whole family and kept all the animal species alive.

What We Learn: Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem strange to other people. If we patiently obey God, even when it's hard or takes a long time, He will keep His promises.

Bible Verses: Genesis 6, Genesis 7-8

Related: Noah and the Flood Kids Story and Best Noah's Ark Craft Ideas for Kids

6. The Persistent Widow Never Gives Up (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus told a story about a widow who needed help from a judge. This judge was not a nice man. He didn't care about God or about being fair to people. The widow kept coming to him day after day, asking him to help her with a problem.

At first, the judge ignored her. But the widow didn't give up! She came back again and again and again. Finally, the judge thought, "This woman is wearing me out! I'll help her just so she'll stop bothering me."

Jesus told this story to teach us about prayer. He said, "If even a mean judge will help someone who keeps asking, how much more will God, who loves you, answer your prayers when you keep asking patiently?"

What We Learn: God wants us to keep praying and never give up, even when answers don't come right away. Patient, persistent prayer shows we really trust God.

Bible Verses: Luke 18:1-8

Related: The Parable of the Persistent Widow and Prayer for Patience and Strength

7. Elijah Waits Through the Famine (1 Kings 17-18)

God's prophet Elijah announced that no rain would fall on the land for several years because the king and people had turned away from God. This meant there would be very little food for anyone, including Elijah!

But God took care of Elijah in amazing ways. First, God sent him to a small stream where he could drink water, and ravens (big black birds) brought him bread and meat every morning and evening! When the stream dried up, God sent Elijah to stay with a poor widow. She only had enough flour and oil for one last meal for herself and her son, but she shared it with Elijah. Miraculously, her flour and oil never ran out the whole time Elijah was there.

For three whole years, there was no rain. Elijah had to trust God every single day for food and water. Finally, after all that time, God sent rain again. Elijah's patient trust in God through the long, hard famine showed everyone that God is faithful.

What We Learn: When times are hard and we don't know how things will work out, God will take care of us if we patiently trust Him day by day.

Bible Verses: 1 Kings 17, 1 Kings 18:1-2

Related: Elijah and the Prophets of Baal and Bible Stories About God's Provision

8. Paul Never Gives Up Telling About Jesus (Book of Acts)

After Paul met Jesus, he spent the rest of his life traveling to different cities to tell people the Good News about Jesus. But being patient in this work wasn't easy at all!

Paul faced shipwrecks where he almost drowned. He was thrown in prison many times. Some people tried to stone him. He walked hundreds and hundreds of miles in all kinds of weather. Sometimes people listened to him, but many times they didn't want to hear about Jesus and got angry at him.

Through all of this, Paul kept going. He patiently taught people, started churches, wrote letters of encouragement, and never gave up on his mission. He once said that he learned to be patient and content whether he had plenty to eat or was hungry, whether he was comfortable or uncomfortable.

What We Learn: Following Jesus and doing what He asks might be hard and take a long time. But if we're patient and don't give up, we can help many people learn about God's love.

Bible Verses: Acts 14:19-22, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Philippians 4:11-13

Related: Paul and Silas in Prison and Bible Stories About Perseverance

9. Jesus Waits in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

Before Jesus started teaching people and doing miracles, He went into the desert wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. That's a really long time to be alone! And Jesus didn't eat anything the whole time. He was there to pray and prepare for His important mission.

During this time, Satan came to tempt Jesus three times. Satan tried to get Jesus to use His special powers to turn stones into bread because He was so hungry. Satan tried to get Jesus to test God by jumping off a high place. Satan even offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him instead of God.

Each time, Jesus said no. He waited patiently, trusted God, and only did things God's way. After those 40 days, angels came and took care of Jesus. Then He was ready to begin His ministry.

What We Learn: Even when we're hungry, tired, or uncomfortable, we can be patient and make good choices. Waiting and preparing the right way helps us be ready for the important things God wants us to do.

Bible Verses: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13

Related: The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness

10. Joseph Trusts God's Plan (Matthew 1:18-25)

Joseph was engaged to marry Mary. But before they got married, Joseph found out that Mary was going to have a baby. Joseph was confused and hurt. He thought Mary must have done something wrong, and he was thinking about quietly breaking off their engagement so Mary wouldn't be embarrassed.

But that night, an angel came to Joseph in a dream with incredible news: "Joseph, don't be afraid! The baby Mary is carrying is from God's Holy Spirit. This baby is the Savior the world has been waiting for. Name Him Jesus."

Joseph had to make a big decision. Would he trust what the angel said, even though it seemed impossible? Would he be patient and stay with Mary, even though people might not understand? Joseph chose to trust God. He married Mary and patiently waited with her until baby Jesus was born.

What We Learn: Sometimes things happen that we don't understand, and people might judge us. But if we patiently trust God's plan, He will show us that He knows what He's doing.

Bible Verses: Matthew 1:18-25

Related: The Story of Christmas: Mary and Joseph and The Wise Men from the East

Key Lessons About Patience

• Patience requires trust. All these people had to trust that God was good and that He would keep His promises, even when they couldn't see how.
• Patience takes time. Some people waited days, some waited years, and some waited their whole lives. God's timing is different from our timing.
• Patience brings rewards. Every person who waited patiently saw God do something wonderful. The wait was worth it!
• Patience doesn't mean doing nothing. Noah kept building. Paul kept teaching. Hannah kept praying. We can be patient and still keep working and hoping.
• Patience grows our faith. The longer we wait and trust God, the stronger our faith becomes.