Your child is beginning to read independently, so this is the perfect time to help them engage in the Book that will change their lives. Even adults struggle with reading the Bible on a consistent basis. Helping your child develop a love for God's Word will be a learning experience for everyone in the family. Carve out some time to sit down with your child. Read a passage of the Bible together, talk through an idea, and allow your child to complete an activity. Though these experiences can be done all at once, we would encourage you to space them out over several days or weeks.
The Parent Guide will help you:
If your child has not already been given a Bible they can read, be sure to check out the resource page on this milestone for ideas on how to make that a special moment.
This milestone provides three different experiences or conversations meant to communicate the importance of reading God’s word. Before your first conversation, consider checking out the resource page of this milestone for ideas on presenting your child with their first Bible.
Read together: Help your child find and read the passage of The Parable of the Farmer in Luke 8:4-15.
Now, explain to your child what the story means. The seed is God’s message. People on the path are those who hear. But then the devil comes and takes away the message from their hearts so they won’t believe.
Those on the rock are the ones who hear the message and receive it with joy. But they have no roots, and when they are put to the test, they fall away from the faith. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are distracted by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, so they do not reach full growth.
The seed on good soil stands for those with a receptive heart. They hear the message, keep it in their hearts, and remain faithful.
Divide a piece of paper into four parts. Draw a picture in each of the four boxes that shows the different things that happen to the seeds in this story. Circle the picture that shows the way God wants us to respond to the Bible.
“God wants us to read the Bible, put it in our hearts, and do what it says. The Bible is very personal. Every time we read it, God is trying to teach us something.”
Pray with your child & invite them to pray in their own words. Model prayer for your child by going first. Ask God to give you a receptive heart to accept the truth of His word and apply it to your life.
Read together:
Help your child find and read John 21:24-25.
Now, explain to your child what the verses mean. John, the writer, was one of Jesus' disciples. He spent time with Jesus, watched Him do miracles, heard Him teach, watched Him die on the cross, and saw Him come back to life. For this reason, we know what he has written can be trusted. We know it is true.
Share with your child the ways you know the Bible to be true. Is there a story of when a verse in the Bible helped you make a decision and/or comforted you during a tough time? Telling this story to your child will help them see how true the Bible has been in your own life.
Pray with your child & invite them to pray in their own words. Pray a prayer of thankfulness that God’s word is true and can be trusted. Ask God to change your life to be more like Jesus as you read it and apply it to your life.
Help your child find and read 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
Now, explain to your child what these verses mean. Paul is talking to his disciple Timothy. He is reminding him that Scripture, The Bible, is given to us by God. It has the power to bring it’s readers to faith in Christ. Because the words of the Bible are “inspired by God” they should have authority in our lives. Also, because they have the power to change our lives, we should hide them in our hearts by memorizing them.
Memorizing Bible verses will equip us to live life God’s way. Using a dry erase marker, let your child write verses 16 and 17 on a mirror (maybe a dresser mirror or bathroom mirror) so that they see it every day. Encourage them to read the verses every single time they look in the mirror, until they have them memorized.
Once they have memorized the verses and can recite them, do something to celebrate the achievement. Go get some ice cream or some other treat together. Encourage them to continue hiding God’s word in their heart. Ask if they would like to choose another verse to memorize.
Choose a Bible that your child can read and understand. There are many different translations, types, and styles of Bibles available. Choose one that your child can use for years to come.
A Bible can be purchased at a local Christian bookstore, online, or at your local superstore. You may even choose to have your child’s name engraved on the Bible. *
Ask friends and family to mark and sign their favorite verse in the Bible. Write a letter to your child in the front of their Bible, encouraging them to remember that the Bible is personal, it’s true, and that it will prepare us for life. *For Doxology attendees, a Bible will be presented on Bible Presentation Sunday in September, for children in the third grade. For more information, for more information please contact us at herocentral@doxology.church
Bible translations for children
New International Readers Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Adventure Bible, International Children’s Bible, Life Application Bible We recommend the Adventure Bible, or Adventure Bible for Young Readers for this age group.
Navigating the 66 books of the Bible can be intimidating! There are tabs that you can purchase to put on the different books to make it easier to find specific places in the Bible. It's also good to help kids know the 66 books of the Bible. In order to find some songs for helping children memorize the books of the Bible, you can search "66 Books of the Bible" on Youtube or "Books of the Bible Song" on iTunes.
