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My number one goal as a mom is to guide my kids into a relationship with Jesus. So encouraging them to spend time in the Word is an important part of that.
We spend time reading Scripture together as a family, but I also want them to learn to do it on their own.
Encourage, don’t require
In my own experience, I’ve found that requiring my kids to read the Bible on their own everyday isn’t the best approach. It might work differently in your home, and that’s totally okay. But for our family, it works best to encourage them to read their Bible, buy them a special Bible of their own, practice it together as a family, and create space in our day for it.
I don’t want my kids to see Bible reading as a chore. I want them to want to dig in to the Word on their own! If it is a regular practice in your home, I find that kids start to do it on their own, without having to be forced to do it.
Make it part of your everyday
If the Bible is a part of your everyday rhythms at home, it will be more natural for your kids to read it on their own. Bring it in to your morning time or your family dinners. Do devotionals as a family, read through a book of the Bible, or memorize verses together by using copywork.
When we read Scripture, copy verses into our journals, and pray together, it gives our kids a good framework to know what to do when they read and study the Bible on their own.
Model it
The best way to teach your kids just about anything is to model it. When your kids see you in the Word regularly, it becomes a normal part of their day. And kids pick up behaviors they see their parents doing.
I like to read my Bible in the living room most mornings. My kids are usually awake, so see me opening up my Bible and making it a daily, regular practice. If I want to have a more intimate prayer or study time, I usually do this at night after the kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet.
I also think it’s super important for our kids to see others in the Word. That means being in a community that values opening up the Bible regularly. In church, in their homes, in small groups, in youth groups, etc.
Resources
Books we use together as a family
The Ology by Marty Machowski
WonderFull: Ancient Psalms Every New by Marty Machowski
What Every Child Should Know About Prayer by Nancy Guthrie
How to Pray: a Guide for Young Explorers by Pete Grieg
Core 52 Family Edition: Build Kids’ Bible confidence in 10 minutes a day by Mark Moore
The 10 Minute Bible Journey by Dale Mason
Books/devotionals my kids use on their own
The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer
Unseen: Prince Warriors 365 devotional
Old Story New: 10 minute devotionals
Long Story Short: 10 minute devotionals
Core 52 Student Edition: a 15 Minute Guide to Build your Bible IQ in a Year
Don’t discount the FUN Bible resources too – my youngest loves to play the Bible for Kids app from YouVersion and listening to Bible stories on an audio CD. My tween boys really love reading the Action Bible. There are also some really great podcasts (like Kids Bible Stories) that tell Bible stories for kids. My kids also love to watch the Bible Project videos! These are not a replacement to reading the Bible together or on their own, but a way to make the Bible more accessible to them or show it to them in a different way.
I created this daily journal page for my kids to use on their own, and I hope it’s helpful for you and your family too! As they get used to the journal, you can guide them in what to journal about… maybe they want to write down things they are thanking God for, people they are praying for, verses they are reading, etc. I like to bind it together with a spiral binder.
How do you encourage your kids to spend time in the Word on their own?
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