Ten Tips

On Reading The Bible With Your Child

by Sandy Galea

1. 01

   It’s never too early to begin reading the Bible with your child. From a very young age establish the routine.

   • Bath | Bible | Bed
2. 02

   Establish a regular time when you read the Bible with your child.

   • Breakfast | Dinner | Bedtime
3. 03

   Regular and short is better than irregular and drawn-out.

4. 04

   Use age-appropriate Bibles. See the list of recommended Bibles for each age group on the inside cover of each Kidswise Bible Reading Plan or on each Kidswise Bible Reading Bookmark (free Kidswise Parent Resources).

5. 05

   Follow the instructions on the Kidswise Bible Reading Plans. Read a Bible passage (use the ICB version, International Children’s Bible) or read a Bible story from a recommended Bible suitable for the age of your child. Then as a family reflect on what has been read using the questions suggested in the plans/on the bookmarks. Note: children who hear their parents reflect are more likely to open up and reflect. Finally pray together.

6. 06

   Repetition is fine. Children often want to hear the same story again and again.

7. 07

   As children grow older, read a Bible passage (ICB version, International Children’s Bible) and encourage everyone in the family (adults as well as children) to ask one question about what’s being read then pray together about what you’ve learnt.

8. 08

   If you’re regularly away from your children, establishing the pattern of reading the Bible with your children over skype/zoom.

9. 09

   Be creative - draw, dramatise or retell the Bible story. Use dress-ups, lego, toys… collage, paint, playdough… to retell the Bible story as a family.

10. 10

    Be sure to read books like The Big Picture Bible Story that teach the Bible’s big story to help children see that the Bible is not just a collection of little stories but one big story. And that Jesus isn’t in just parts of the Bible, the whole Bible is about Jesus!

by Sandy Galea