It is vitally important for kids to learn the truth of the Bible and what it says about life from a very early age. Without this firm foundation for their lives, they will be more apt to wander away from what God wants for their future. It is a privilege and a great responsibility we have as parents to be able to shape and mold our kids, pointing them towards a loving God and a personal relationship with Him. It is also our responsibility, no one else's— not even the church's— to teach them to think deeply and critically about God’s word.

Teaching Kids the Bible

To help you get started teaching your kids how to embrace, study and love the word of God themselves, the following are some tips and tricks to help you on this journey. To aid in helping you remember these tips, we will use the acronym R.E.A.D:

R: Read the Bible

The first step towards teaching your kids about the Bible is to read the Bible. Even before they are able to read it for themselves, you can read it to them, then as they grow older, they can take over more of the reading themselves. A good way to introduce the Bible to younger children is to read Bible storybooks that go over various stories within the Bible, breaking them down into short, manageable pieces for kids. Stories like Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion’s den, Joseph and his coat of many colors are just a few examples.

E: Engage in the Scripture

To do this, find a creative outlet for your child to show what they are learning from their readings. If there is no creative outlet, then find a way for them to write what they are learning about these teachings. If children are unable to write out what they are learning, have them instead draw photos of what they are learning. This is the opportunity you have to make sure that what your kids are reading and/or learning is sinking in, that they are understanding the point of each story they are reading, what God is telling them through various parts of the Bible.

A: Apply the Teachings

This step emphasizes the application of the scriptures being read or learned about. Ask kids how they can apply each lesson as they learn them before moving on to new lessons. Don’t be afraid to incorporate this into everyday life. It doesn’t have to be a formal lesson where kids are sitting down in front of you listening. It can instead be conversations you have as you perform daily tasks. Speaking of conversations…

D: Discuss the Scriptures

As mentioned briefly above, this tip is to discuss scriptures as part of your everyday coming and going. As it says in Deuteronomy 6:7, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you go up.” The Bible and the truths that lie within its pages should not be a once a day or once a week conversation, but a constant influence on how you live your lives and how you interact with others, and this, in turn, should influence your children as well.

Resources for Teaching the Bible: Fun Ways to Teach Kids the Books of the Bible

Teaching your children the Bible and the books that make it up is obviously of paramount importance. However, the task can be a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, there are many resources you can tap into in order to get your kids on the right path to help bestow a love of God’s word on their hearts.

Go to Children’s Ministry at Church

While it's true that it isn’t the “church’s” responsibility to teach your children a love of the word of God, but yours as their parents, this doesn't mean you can’t use the children’s ministry as a resource. In fact, a good church ministry can act much like a helping hand to you, to aid you as you guide your child on the right path. Children’s ministries are also uniquely qualified to teach kids big, adult, concepts like those found in the Bible in easier-to-digest and understand nuggets. So, make sure your kids are engaged in good children’s ministry. Just don’t rely solely on that and neglect to reinforce these teachings at home as well.

Use Children’s Bibles

Even before your child can adequately read the Bible on their own, it’s important to give them a copy of the Word of God in their own size. Add their name to the front to make it even more special and then get them in the habit of carrying their Bible along when you go to church service, or allow them to “read along” with you as you share from the scriptures at home. Teach them how to find verses as soon as they are able. This can also be a good answer to how to teach the books of the Bible to kids.

Use Bible Story Books

Again, the detailed, and sometimes challenging concepts in the Bible can be a lot for kids to take in, so opt for Bible story books instead that highlight the stories found within scripture. When Jesus spoke to the children, for instance, revealing to his disciples that they were just as important to him as the adults, is a great story that is often highlighted in such storybooks. Think Sunday School or Vacation Bible School type stories to get the idea. This is another answer for how to teach kids the books of the Bible. One caveat here, though, don't make the mistake of thinking just because a child is young that they can’t grasp the saving truth of the gospel and understand sometimes challenging concepts. Kids are more capable of simply accepting something in faith than most adults, so don’t be afraid to communicate with them the fullness of God’s mercies. Jesus understood this as was why he said the following in Mark 10:13-16 “People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’”

Bottom Line: Embrace the Opportunity

It is a privilege you get to share the Bible with your kids. Embrace it wholeheartedly. In addition, consider purchasing an item from Love in Faith to further communicate God’s truths to your children as you go about your daily lives.