BIBLE
Recommended for ages 7+
Open God's Word to Your Child
One of the greatest joys and responsibilities you have as a parent is to teach your child to love God’s Word in order to build a solid foundation based upon truth. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Raising Your Child in a God- Honoring Home
TIPS AND TOOLS
Help your child discover the importance of God’s Word using these suggestions:
CHOOSE A BIBLE
Find a translation that is easy for your child to read and understand. The New International Readers Version (NIrV) and New International Versions (NIV) are great places to start. The NIrV is written at a 3rd-grade reading level; the NIV is written at a 7th-grade reading level. Currently in our sermons at Hill Country, we use the English Standard (ESV), written at a 10th-grade reading level.
MODEL IT
You cannot pass on to your child something that you don’t have. Schedule a regular time of reading the Bible where your kids can see you.
USE AS A GUIDE
Show your child how the Bible can be used as an everyday guide for life by helping him or her search and learn how to use the Bible. This is a great opportunity, especially when your child might be struggling with a particular issue or looking for wisdom on a specific topic.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Choose one simple Bible truth or verse and repeat it often such as “God is love.”
BE CREATIVE
Don’t just read the story, become the Bible character or use games and crafts to engage all five senses in the learning experience.
DON'T BLUFF
It’s okay to not know the answer to a question your child might ask. Use the opportunity to show your child how to search in God’s Word for wisdom. Be authentic by admitting that none of us understand everything. Only God is God, and we must learn to trust what He says in the Bible. You can also tell your child you will get back to them within a certain period of time so that you can investigate and/or ask for guidance from someone you trust.
STUDY IT
Show how to study God’s Word using a simple Bible study plan. Teach your child to look at any Scripture and ask questions about the passage such as “Who wrote this passage?” “What does this verse teach us about God and / or humans?” or “How can I apply this truth to my own life?”
FIND TOOLS
There are many wonderful tools available such as kids’ Bibles, Bible storybooks, Christian Scripture songs, and Christian videos and games to make understanding the Bible easy and fun.
PRAY
Ask God to give your child understanding, wisdom, and a love for His Word as they read and memorize Scripture.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES
- Write verses on index cards to put in your child’s Bible, backpack, or lunchbox, or tape them to the mirror or refrigerator.
- Write out Bible verses using colorful pens or markers, then cut out each word and mix them up on the floor. Play a game as you put the verse back in order or make the activity into a memory match game.
- Try teaching your child memory verses using sign language or making up your own hand signals.
- Play a memory game by passing a ball or beanbag as each person says the next word in the verse.
- Allow your child to pick a book of the Bible, book, or devotional to read with you at breakfast or bedtime.
- Have your child memorize the books of the Bible by writing them in order.
HELPFUL TOOLS
Take advantage of these resources as you teach your child about the Bible at home.
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Books of the Bible List |  |
The Well-Versed Family | |
Parenting with Scripture |
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What the Bible is All About Handbook | |
Scripture Songs from Seeds Family Worship | |
What Does the Bible Say About That? |
YOUR CHILD'S NEXT STEP
As children get older, they become ready for additional steps along Milestones. Set a calendar reminder for your child’s next birthday to return to this page to select their next step. Thank you for becoming intentional about guiding your child’s faith journey!
