Introducing children to the Bible is vital. The Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is the Living Word (see John 1:1,14). Introducing the Bible to our children is introducing Jesus to our children. It can feel overwhelming to know where to start. There is so much choice. Whilst it may feel simpler to start when our children are young, many people come to Christ already parents of older children. God is not intimidated by our starting point and is willing and able to inspire and guide each parent along the way.
The One we pray to is found within the pages of the Bible. The more we know and understand the Bible the more effectively and confidently we can pray. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Prayer is spiritual. Consider that the more familiar we are with the Word of God the more skillfully we wield the sword. Children can start to wield the Sword from a young age, so it is never too early to introduce them to God's Word.
Resources for Introducing the Bible to Children
I enjoy searching for resources that I pray my children will treasure as tangible markers of their knowledge of God. Here is a rundown of the kinds of resources parents can use when introducing the Bible to children, followed by some tips:
Bible Storybooks
Bible storybooks retell a single story or a selection of stories from the Bible for a young audience. They are usually very colourful and tell the story in an engaging way. Children can think "stories" means made up, so I make sure my children understand the difference between David and Goliath and Jack and the Beanstalk!
Story of the Bible Books
There is a further perhaps more recent distinction to be made: there are books that tell stories from the Bible and there are books that tell the story of the Bible - the story of God's relationship with humanity. Two examples of books that tell the story of the Bible are The Big Picture Story Bible and The Biggest Story. These help to introduce children to the connections between everything in the Bible and to the idea that because of His great love for us, God is interested and invested in His creation (us!) on a grand historical level and a deeply personal level. This concept is important for children and adults of all ages.
Single Bible Passage or Theme Books
It is also possible to buy books that retell a Bible passage like Psalm 139 or Psalm 23, or books that cover a particular theme such as love or prayer. These are good at introducing and reinforcing concepts from the Bible. As these often focus on an aspect of God's nature or who God is to each of us, they can help align a child's sense of identity with God's design.
Bible Activity Books
Bible activity books can be a starting point or a supporting resource. Colouring books are not only for children. Whilst colouring scenes from the Bible might appeal to younger children, older children might enjoy colouring Bible verses. Bible verse colouring books inspire thought and meditation as a child spends time with a portion of scripture as they colour. Here is one we use.
Picture or sticker books, Bible-based word searches and the like encourage children to get involved with the Bible and help them remember and enjoy it. These have often been created as part of a series surrounding a book from the groups above. They can be used on their own, or the familiar artwork can reinforce what has already been introduced.
The Bible
Last but certainly not least, the complete Bible can be used when introducing the Bible to our children. Do not feel intimidated about introducing the Bible to children in the same version you use. There are standard Bible translations aimed at children which include added features such as references, book intros and images, These make the Bible more accessible to children without modifying the translation. The resources above can be used alongside the use of a complete Bible.
Children's Bibles, such as the International Children's Bible, are complete Bibles in a child-friendly translation. Children's Bibles usually contain illustrations and may or may not have other features.
Journaling Bibles allow the owner to draw, make notes or colour in the wider than usual margins, or have Scripture on one page and a blank page beside.
It is also possible to use Bibles that include less than the 66 books of the Christian Bible. This could be the New Testament and Psalms, or a single book like Proverbs or Romans or one of the four Gospels (usually the Gospel according to Mark because it is the shortest).
Tips for Introducing the Bible to Children
Build a routine - Make engaging with the Bible a habit for your family
Be spontaneous - We can teach our children that God and the Word of God are relevant to and available through every part of our lives
Lead by Example - let your children see you reading and listening to the Bible, praying for wisdom and insight before/after reading, applying the Word of God in your life and repenting when you don't
Mediation over memorisation - Memorisation is good but does not always lead to consideration. Meditation leads to understanding and understanding leads to fruit; meditation also increases revelation.
You do not need to know it all - Be comfortable saying "I don't know" when your child asks a question about the Bible, or "I don't know but I will look into it and get back to you". You can even look into it together, or if they are old enough you can look into it separately and then come back and discuss it later. Remind them to ask the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth (see John 16:13).
Be free - Try not to treat Bibles and related resources as too precious to be handled. We can teach our children to interact well with things but they should not feel like the Bible itself is less accessible to them than other books
Be open about seeing results - We should expect our efforts to be fruitful but should avoid prescribing what that fruit looks like or when it materialises. God and our children will surprise often us!
Encourage your children to respond when they read the Bible. This can be verbally, creatively, through movement, or silently. You could even teach them to think-pray-pause.
We have covered the Bible in print form, but the Bible and Bible stories can also be listened to and watched. Reviews and recommendations for introducing the Bible to children are coming to The Parent Principles soon. Let me know if you have any family favourites to share.
It is important to remember that the introduction to God in and of the Bible is continual. Just like us, our children are on a journey to know more about God. Our job is to seek and be guided by the Holy Spirit in how we do this. God wants a good relationship with our children even more than we want them to have a good relationship with Him. Having carefully and intentionally created them, God knows them best and knows the plans He has for them. Our Lord knows the order and the avenue to reveal Himself to each child so we need to do nothing more than submit to God's leading.
Most of us do not remember how we met members of our immediate family or those friends of our parents who are like family. We consider that we have known them all our lives. When we introduce God to our children by making the Word of God a part of our lives our children can look back and think, I do not know when I met Jesus; He has always been a part of my life. They will need to invest in the relationship themselves as they get older, but our responsibility is to make the introduction and model the connection.
Think Pray Pause: Introducing the Bible to Children
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus - 2 Timothy 3:15 NLT
Read the Scripture then think about it, use it to pray, and pause to listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say. Do this in any order or configuration you like.
Join the mailing list for weekly expanded opportunities to Think Pray Pause with The PARENT Principles. These invitations to connect with God align with our six principles and will lead you to thrive as a person so you can thrive as a parent.
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