Throughout the Bible, we see the importance that God places on children. Whether it’s Jesus inviting the children to come to him or King Solomon exhorting his readers to raise children up in the way they should go, the Bible is clear: children are a blessing, but also a significant responsibility.
One of the most important things we can do is teach children about God at a young age. And to do that, we need to get them excited about the Bible. Here are some easy ways you can do just that, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, family member, babysitter, teacher or friend.
TEACH THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
If you’re looking for a fun, interactive way to engage your kids in the Bible, The Bible App for Kids is a great start! The app allows your kids to easily interact with the Bible. Stories come to life through colorful illustrations with touch-activated animations, games and activities for easy learning and retention, and more. Available for smartphones and tablets, this app is a free and easy way to help bring the Bible to life right before your kids’ eyes!
MEMORIZE, MEMORIZE, MEMORIZE
We need to know and understand God’s Word so that it influences the way we live each day. One way to help your kids learn the Bible at a young age is through memorization! Choose a verse each week to memorize as a family. You can even turn it into an opportunity for your kids to earn a prize or reward! The more verses memorized, the better (or bigger) the prize. Be sure to review verses from weeks past, too. That way they’ll remember them for years to come, and not just for that week.
MAKE IT MATTER TO THEIR LIVES
A great way to engage your kids with Scripture is by making it matter to them personally. Ask yourself questions like, “How does it apply to their life?” and “what are ways that they can practice today?”
For example, if you’re teaching them about kindness, you could volunteer as a family at a soup kitchen or make cookies for a sick neighbor. Or if you’re teaching them about patience, remind them that this includes being patient with their siblings, too. When the Bible is applicable to kids’ daily lives, chances are it will matter to them — both now and in the future.
BRING THE BIBLE TO LIFE
It’s one thing to read stories from the Bible, like Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath or Daniel and the lion’s den. But it’s another thing to bring those stories to life through things like crafts, activities and skits. It can take a bit of creativity and prep work, but creating a holistic approach to studying the Bible will make your time more memorable, too. It can be as simple as having your kids act out the story as you read, or as elaborate as making the Passover meal as you study Exodus 12. Whatever you do, find ways to bring the Bible to life and help the message stick with your kids for years to come.
There are lots of ways to get your kids to engage in the Bible! And yes, it will take time and effort on your part. But what more important job do we have than raising them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and strength from a young age?
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. — Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT)
Like this verse says, we should incorporate Scripture into every part of our day — whether at home or away, when we’re going to bed or when we’re waking up. Don’t let that overwhelm you. Instead, find easy ways to engage your kids with the Bible every day, bringing to life the stories and instructions that God has passed on to us through his Word. It’s an exciting and significant task we’ve been given, but God will equip us. After all, Jesus himself called the little children to come to him. And that’s something he’s still doing today.
