The Bible is the ultimate tool in helping us understand the glorious and wonderful things that God has done for creation.
Jesus says in the book of Matthew
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” Matthew 4:4
Here are your 5 tips to help your child read the Bible.
1.) Give them a Bible they can read.
If your child does not already have a Bible of their own, absolutely invest in getting one. The best translations to get are either The NLT or the NIRV if you plan on getting a plain Bible.
If your child is below 12 years old one of the best Bibles around is the Adventure Bible. It’s easy to read with built in explanations and analysis to help them move through the chapters.
If you have a teen, one of the most popular and best Bibles to get them is the Teen Life Application Study Bible. This version does a tremendous job at creating a version that teens can enjoy. There are also Bibles that are also geared specifically for Boys or Girls.
2.) Set an Example/Routine:
It is vital to show your child that you are just as excited to read the Bible as you want them to be. Reading the Bible with them, or seeing that you read on your own can go a long way in encouraging your kids to read more.
There will be days where we forget or miss a moment to read; when that happens it is important to show grace when they fail but give them a daily reminder or encouragement to read.
3.) Encourage them to ask questions
As you and your child/teen reads through the Bible, questions are sure to arise; when they do, encourage them to ask. Similarly, ask them questions, sometimes asking even simple questions can foster a deeper interest in seeing how God was present throughout the Bible.
How does this story connect to Jesus?
How did they trust God during this?
Why would they do this?
What is this trying to show us?
Always aim to gear your questions towards their age and something they can understand.
**Remember it is okay to not know all the answers, taking time to discover those answers with them will not only grow a bond with God but a chance to grow with them too.
4.) Show them how it all connects it all to Jesus
The Bible can be summed up in a single word: Jesus! “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17 NLT Every part of the Bible leads to the sacrifice and impact of what Jesus did for us. So even in the smallest and little read chapters of the Bible have a purpose and new way to how God is working in our lives.
5.) Pray with them
Creating a habit of prayer is equally crucial to developing a child’s faith as they grow with God. Whether it is when an ambulance goes by or just before bed, those intentional moments to pray to God can help them see how much God is working in their lives.
While we spend so much time praying for our own needs and wants, helping them to focus on others by praying for those around them or even just a time to praise God for the wonderful things he has done or will do can go a long way.