Do you remember the first time you used or heard a story with the Bible flannelgraph kits? Can you picture the massive stack of massive envelopes, each one bulging with carefully stored flannelgraph pieces: tiny figures of Moses, Jesus, or a sheep (or five). Some pieces are missing, others are fraying at the edges, but they still hold a kind of magic. Can you catch a whiff of aging paper mixed with felt and glue. Is there one story or image that comes to mind when you think about flannelgraph or perhaps its the voice of one of your earliest Sunday School teachers?
Flannelgraph Bible stories has been around for a long time! It was pioneered as a teaching tool by Christian missionaries, who used it to make Bible stories come alive for children and adults. Simple felt boards became the canvas, and colourful cut-out characters helped convey stories in a way that was engaging and visual. For decades, it was a staple in Sunday schools across North America and the world
By the time I was a child, flannelgraph was already falling out of style. Most sets were missing pieces or felt well-loved (read: worn-out). Yet, I still remember stories being told in this way. Maybe it was the suspense, waiting to see what character or scene would appear next. Maybe it was the lack of animation or video distractions; our imaginations had to fill in the gaps. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the storyteller. A great teacher could infuse those little felt figures with so much personality, pairing expressive storytelling with simple, relatable visuals. (Gotta love a good Sunday School teacher – wink wink!).
Flaws and Challenges with Traditional Flannelgraph
The original flannelgraph resources were both brilliant and limited. On the one hand, a single kit allowed even a beginner to tell captivating Bible stories with flannelgraph. On the other, there were challenges.
- Representation: The figures were almost always white. Jesus and his followers were depicted with Euro-American features. This was not historically accurate and reflected the cultural lens of the flannelgraph era. It’s worth asking whether continuing to use these materials today unintentionally reinforces a white-centered version of the biblical story. If we do use them, perhaps we should balance them with racially diverse and historically accurate storytelling.
- Cost: Flannelgraph kits were an investment. I remember hearing about a church member who purchased a large set as a gift for the children’s ministry. The congregation treasured it, knowing their own budget couldn’t have stretched that far. Sometimes a resource that requires a budget isn’t feasible for many settings.
- Storage: These kits came with a treasure trove of felt pieces, and keeping them safe was almost an art form. You had to carefully tuck each tiny figure into its envelope, making sure nothing went missing and then remember exactly where to find it when storytime rolled around. Perhaps you were the proud guardian of your set, tasked with protecting the flannel cast of biblical characters like a miniature curator of Sunday School magic.
Why Low-Tech Still Works
Despite its flaws, low-tech storytelling still has surprising power. In a world where children are immersed in screens, something as tactile as flannelgraph Bible stories feels refreshingly novel. Moving the story along piece by piece invites imagination and reflection in ways digital tools sometimes miss.
In fact, with a little practice, traditional storytelling naturally sparks conversation and interaction. Children don’t just watch; they see the expressions, hear the nuances in the teacher’s voice, and feel the connection forming with someone who cares deeply about the story and about them. The storyteller occupies a sacred space, attuned to every gasp, giggle, or thoughtful pause, adjusting tone and pacing in response to the room’s energy. Good storytelling isn’t passive entertainment; it’s a living, breathing conversation, a moment of connection where imagination, empathy, and curiosity all come alive.
Storytelling Alternatives That Feel Like Flannelgraph
Over the years I’ve come up with a few ways to tell stories that feel similar to a Bible flannelgraph story experience. I’m not reinventing the wheel here. This approach has been adapted and used by countless teachers over the years, each adding their own creative twist. Here’s a few methods I enjoy:
Storytelling with Silhouettes
I love to use silhouettes for teaching in flannelgraph style! Their bold style draws children into the story and I love that children can use their imagination to create the details, facial expressions and skin complexions. Silhouette images of Bible characters can be found with a simple google search and can be printed and cut out quite simply. I’ve used silhouettes on a whiteboard with some magnets or on an old fashioned overhead projector (that you probably have sitting around in your storage room) to create a shadow puppet story.
I’ve even published a book that uses silhouettes to tell the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. You can get a digital version of this book in my resource section or a copy from Amazon.
Storytelling with Pictures
This method is similar to reading a picture book or using old-school flannelgraph images but is less dependent on purchasing materials (and you don’t have to cut anything out!)
Free Bible Images (freebibleimages.org) provides thousands of options from drawings and cartoons to photography that help to recreate biblical stories. You can search through their database by story or character. I select images that best suit my needs, sometimes just two or three from a set, while other times, the entire set works perfectly. Next, I use my own narrative instead of the text provided so that I can fill in details as needed and teach the story in a way that best suits my own setting.
I display the images either on a projector or on printed sheets of paper (I’ve found that both methods work equally well). As I narrate, I move through the images to match the flow of the story, just like flipping pages in a storybook. Afterwards I ask questions like “How did these pictures help tell the story? What would you have drawn or photographed differently?’ If the story involves emotions, I’ll ask, “What do you think this person was feeling? Why?” These questions spark meaningful conversations and help the children engage with the story on a deeper level.
Drawing the Bible Story
This technique also uses visuals but relies on your own drawing. I set myself up at a whiteboard and sketch key characters, objects, or events as the story unfolds. Let me be clear: I am not an artist. My drawings are basic stick-figure illustrations, but that seems to be part of the charm. Kids love the simplicity and often find my novice attempts hilarious.
If you are a skilled illustrator, this technique might become something truly special. Watching someone excel at a talent is always inspiring, and it’s a unique way to connect with the children, perhaps even sparking a love for drawing in some of them. If you have a talented illustrator in your congregation, consider inviting them to draw the story while you narrate, a wonderful way to build intergenerational connections.
Occasionally, I turn this technique into a drawing challenge by inviting a child to draw alongside me. As I narrate the story, I describe each element for us to draw together. For example, during a story like Palm Sunday, I might guide them in drawing a donkey, a city gate, and a palm branch while explaining the events. The child volunteer’s drawings inevitably outshine mine, and the audience loves the playful competition, which adds a fun, interactive layer to the storytelling.
Use Paper Dolls
There are a variety of artists who have created clipart and printables online of Bible characters. I really love the work of We Who Thirst who has created historically accurate paper dolls with more inclusion of women too. Purchase and print of the characters to help tell a story! These work great with godly play style storytelling as well.
How are you using or modernizing flannelgraph storytelling?
What about you? Have you resurrected your old sets of Bible flannelgraph stories or created your own modern spin on it? Do you know of resources that others could use? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Whether you’ve got a clever trick, a funny story, or a fresh idea, feel free to send me a message. Let’s keep inspiring each other to make Bible storytelling unforgettable!
(And if you are looking for more storytelling methods, don’t miss the post about Creating Bible Storybooks Illustrated by Kids – this is my absolute favourite storytelling and teaching technique.)
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