I didn’t have a lot of experience with Bibles growing up. My family didn’t attend church regularly, so what little I knew of the Bible was from books family had given us on special occasions. I remember flipping the pages of a dusty, old, leather-bound Bible and thinking, “Wow! There are so many words. There is no way anyone could read a book this big!” Little did I know that the big book I loved to look at growing up would find its way into my world as a college student. That beautiful book would come alive as I lived through suffering, pain, and joy, crawling my way towards Jesus.
As I raise my own children, I want them to understand why this book is more than just a book. I want them to see how Scripture can change hearts, open minds, and invite others to know more about a Creator who loves them. We all want to teach our kids that the Bible is more than just cool stories—it is a life-giving resource that God Himself has blessed us with.
As we keep this lofty goal in mind, how can we make the Bible more real for our little ones?
Make it Accessible
I am totally on board with children hearing actual passages from the Bible regularly. Whether that be reading a chapter before dinner, curled up with some hot chocolate before a crackling fire, or on a long drive, it is important that they hear the Word straight from the source. It is also important that parents meet kids on their level as they try to make sense of what they are hearing. The events that happen in Scripture seem like a lot to take in, even for most adults! On the bright side, there are a plethora of gifted minds out there that have created beautiful content for children to have a better time understanding the big picture of Scripture. There are children’s Bibles, book series, and even television shows that help children understand what the Word is telling them about God’s love. Make it a point to research what extra resources you could add to your day to help your children get a more accessible approach to Scripture.
Make it Fun
The last thing I want my kids to believe is that Bible=boring. Honestly, it’s not! It is packed full of incredible historical events, God’s promises, and words of encouragement as we navigate a broken world. There are many ways to make the Bible more engaging to kids through song, play, and movement! In my house, we love to memorize Scripture through song and motions (it even helps me memorize through the mom-brain fog), act out scenes of important moments in Scripture, and use tactile play to engage with specific verses or even a whole story. All you need to do is search #bibleplay on social media, and you will find many great ideas to play in the Word!
Make it Meaningful
While memorizing Scripture and being able to retell the events in the Bible is great, it’s not enough. Even at a young age, we must instill what the Bible is teaching us about God through the Word. One way I love to do this is to bring up Bible stories in everyday life. Need some courage? Discuss how David trusted God to help him beat Goliath. Need some self-control? Remind each other of how Moses never got to see the Promised Land because he lost his temper with the Israelites. Helping a neighbor in need? Talk about how we know we are called to love and take care of our neighbors because God graciously put it in His Word! Utilize circumstances in your own life to show your kids how you can live out God’s Word daily. Along those lines, make sure you are reading your Bible! Let your kids see you read it, talk about it, and memorize Scripture verses that are helpful to you in your struggle or joy. Lastly, pray God’s promises over your children. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just memorize a couple of God’s promises per week to pray over them.
The more you are passionate about God’s Word, the more your kids will be! Don’t forget, friend, God’s Word is LIFE. It is life for you, for your family, and for your sweet kids. Have fun, learn about Jesus, and enjoy His blessings!
Additional Resources
Favorite Kids’ Bibles:
- The Big Picture Story Bible, New Edition, written by David R. Helm and illustrated by Gail Schoonmaker
- , published by Zondervan
Online Games and Streaming Services:
- Minno Kids has lots of streaming content for families, including Phil Vischer’s What’s in the Bible.
- Superbook Project, from the Christian Broadcast Network, has lots of online games that allow kids to interact with the Bible and characters on adventures based on Bible stories.
- RightNow Media, has video resources for adults as well as a library just for kids with more than 2,500 safe, entertaining, and enriching videos.
