How to Read The Bible With Your Children

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By flexibledreams
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The Bible is a big book and difficult even for adults to understand. This shouldn't stop you from trying to open up the Word of God with your children. There are many resources available to help parents read scripture with our kids and Bibles written specifically for the younger set.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A children's Bible
A child

Step 1

Select a Bible appropriate for your child. Head on over to your local Christian book store look through the children's Bibles. There are many to choose from so make sure you set aside some time, preferably without your kids, to make your selection. Pick up the Bible and feel it in your hands, turn the pages. Will your child destroy this book or find it too baby-ish? Look at the pictures and think about the age of your child. Will they be engaged? Read some of the stories and think about your child's favorite books. How does this one compare? Will the stories capture your kid's attention or go right over his or her head?
Step 2

My First Bible Board Book by DK Publishing is a nice first look for kids into all things scripture related. Similar to other DK books, each page is full of pictures in categories like animals, tools and food. There are children in costume to show biblical characters and a nod towards the educational (counting, shapes, colors...).
Step 3

The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories by Zonderkidz is a great bible for children ages 2-5. The stories are simple and easy to understand. Each chapter covers multiple pages and each page has a picture and a couple of sentences. The stories are true but tamed down; Israelites "win the battle" but they leave out the part where no man, woman, child or beast was left alive.
Step 4

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones is as good as it's name suggests. In the author's own words, "The Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done." And "There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them." There are about 50 stories in this Bible and each one "whispers" the name of Jesus. Your children will see God's plan of salvation from the very beginning.
Step 5

Once you've picked out your Bible it's time to make a plan for reading it to your child. Choose a time of day that you're usually together. It should be an unhurried time where you can sit down and read. Pick a time when your child is most alert and well behaved. This could be right after breakfast, before or after naptime or right before bed. The most important thing is choosing a time where your child will happily sit for five or ten minutes to listen to the story. Bible time should be calm and enjoyable, not stressful for you or your child.
Step 6

Begin your Bible time with a short prayer. Tell your child that you're going to talk to God. You can hold hands with your child or have them sit on your lap. Make your prayer brief and to the point. "Dear God, thank you for giving us this Bible. Please help us understand what we read and obey your word. In Jesus' name, Amen." A long flashy prayer will only confuse and bore a little kid.
Step 7

Start in the beginning and read a story. Your child may ask for more, that's great! Decide in the beginning how many stories you will read and let your child know. Read that many stories and then put the Bible away. It's better to put it away while they're still interested than keep reading until they become bored.
Step 8

Depending on the age of your child, this is a good time for a couple of questions. Ask them what they're thinking and see how much of the story they can remember. Do you know a song to go along with the story? Sing it!
Step 9

End your time with a prayer. Thank God for what you just read and ask him to help you remember his Word.
Step 10

Continue reading the Bible with your child every day at the time you chose. Keeping up with this routine will make scripture reading as normal and expected as brushing teeth or having lunch. When you get to the end, just start back over at the beginning. Kids love to hear stories over and over again.

Comments

Thims said

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on 12/13/2008 (RT Bonus Comment ;-)Excellent. I use to have bible studies with my kids. I think there is nothing better you can do in life than give your children a solid foundation in the bible. great article.

yourmamasaidwha said

on 12/10/2008 wow! great ideas put together very nicely! thanks for the wonderful share!

NakedWriter said

on 12/6/2008 Great article and great example to your kids. It's never too early to start teaching about the bible, especially while there are less distractions!