Mom Tip Monday – Reading Scripture

A new series for July – Mom Tip Monday. Each week I’d like to share some tips I’ve found after over seven years of parenting. I know I don’t have all the answers – and I invite you to join me in sharing YOUR best tip on the topic for the week.

This week is: Reading Scripture with Your Children

One of my mom’s many words of advice to me as we began our homeschooling journey was to not neglect the important things. It wasn’t the reading, writing, or math. It was scripture. Although we are entering our third year this fall of homeschooling, I find that I still struggle with finding the balance of getting school done and finding the time to study the Bible with my little ones.

Life is busy, whether you homeschool or not and finding the time to read and study scripture with your children can be hard. I wanted to share some tips and resources I’ve found to work for us. I can’t wait to hear what  YOU do with your little ones!

Here are some tips and reminders as you get started:

1. Be flexible. (It seems I add that tip to a lot of lists I make – maybe because I need the reminder that things don’t always “just so.”) What works for a few months might need to change with the seasons. We used to read each night to the boys when they were four and two from the Jesus Storybook Bible and Jesus Calling for Kids. After adding our girls, it seems bedtime is just too hard to read together.  The boys listen well, but the girls are all over the place. We had to take a break from that for awhile We will probably add that back as the girls get a little older.

2. Talk with them. Don’t just read the Bible to your children – explain it! Talk about what the passage is saying and how it relates to their life. (We like passages that point to obedience with our current station in life!)

3. Teach as you live. Make any book you read, show you watch, or event that happens in their life relate to a Bible verse.  They will begin to see that God’s words are not just words on a page to memorize for prizes or nice to say. They will see that those words apply to our daily lives.

4. Hang up scripture.  I love pretty prints for my house.  I have found some great prints here and here that are beautiful for your wall.  You can find several shops on Etsy who do some great scripture prints! You can choose one of those verse to memorize and hang it up in your kitchen or dining room.  Put it in a place that everyone can see it and practice at meal times!

5. Find resources. You don’t have to come up with Bible lessons on your own. Look around and see what is out there that might be age-approiate for your children.

Resources

The Dig for Kids (Proverbs) – written by the husband of Ruth Schwenk (The Better Mom) – We are going through this with my seven-year-old and it is PERFECT for his age and interest.

The Dig for Kids (Luke) 

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones

Jesus Calling Storybook Bible by Sarah Young

Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide by Clay Clarkson – husband of Sally Clarkson

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  I can’t wait to hear what resources or tips you have for teaching/reading scripture with your children! Please share. What books or websites have you found helpful? Are there any good podcasts for children out there? When do you find the time to read scripture to your children? Morning? Evening? Please comment below! I read every comment and value your opinion.

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