Teaching Kids the Importance of Bible Reading this Year

Introduction

I love Bible reading. It grounds my spirit and brings me a peace that can’t be found any other way. I also love getting my kids involved in Bible reading so they can benefit from both the peace we get from learning about God in the Bible and the reality that the Bible is alive and well today, thousands of years later.

The new year is a time for fresh beginnings and meaningful changes, making it the best way to introduce or reinforce the habit of Bible reading in your children’s lives. As Christian parents, we have the incredible privilege of guiding our children to know and love the Word of God. Whether they are young children just beginning to explore Bible stories or older children ready to engage with deeper questions, January is an ideal time to set the foundation for a lifelong relationship with God through His Word.

Early exposure to the Bible invites the Holy Spirit to work in your children’s hearts, shaping their character and helping them navigate life with wisdom and faith. By incorporating practical tips and fostering good questions, you can make Bible reading both engaging and impactful. In this post, we’ll explore why January is the perfect time to instill these habits and how you can tailor your approach to fit your family’s unique needs. Let’s start the year by planting seeds of faith that will grow for a lifetime!

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Make Bible Reading Fun and Engaging

The first step to starting the new year with daily Bible reading is to investigate interactive tools like illustrated Bibles or apps. The age of your child is particularly important here.

Books

This Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible is one I had as a child. They keep updating it and it’s a wonderful start.

This Beginner’s Bible is the one my church gives to our elementary-aged children. It’s written in language they can understand with questions for kids to engage them.

The Jesus Storybook Bible is great because it shows God’s truth in Scripture and how it all ties back to Jesus.

The 365 Bible Stories and Prayers book was great when my kids were little. Great for our youngest children, it exposes them to key stories throughout the entire Bible, with one reading per day.

Apps

For older kids who benefit from an app, there are several to take advantage of. My church youth group recommends YouVersion – the Bible online with thousands of Bible studies and devotionals – all free. There is also the One Year Bible Plan for a one-year Bible reading plan, Bible Devotions for Teens, Bible App by Olive Tree, and BibleProject. Look for these apps at your app store. (While they are free to download, I can’t guarantee there aren’t in-app purchase options, so check that out first.) Apps can be a great way for kids to have accountability and engage in a format they are already on.

January is also a great time to create family Bible challenges or activities. You can take turns reading Scripture and asking questions about what people think to expand the stories. Kids can act out stories they’ve been reading. There are thousands of coloring and activity pages for kids to use to engage with Scripture. You can also find Bible workbooks if you are interested.

Any place is a great place to start. So pick a book, app, or workbook and get started! All of these suggestions will help you see God’s purposes in your life. God’s story is timeless so don’t feel like you are late to the party. His Word is always appropriate and always applicable to our lives.

Establish a Daily Routine

When is the best time to engage in Bible reading with your kids? Any time! Pick the time that works best for you. During one season of my kids’ lives (before they were in school), early morning was best. I would read with them after my own Bible study time. When they were a bit older we would read together before bed. My youngest (16 years old now) still does that. The important point is to explore different ways to engage in a Bible reading routine and find the one that works.

Encourage consistency with rewards or praise. For young kids a reward chart might come in handy for a week of family Bible reading time. Rewards can include extra tv or electronics time, getting to choose the show to watch at night, special dessert, or a park day. Find what works for your kids and go with it.

For older children, starting Bible reading time may feel awkward if you’ve never done it before. Praise their efforts and time spent with it. Maybe include a special reward for every time they read and entire chapter in one sitting or if they begin to engage in a personal Bible reading program. Once they are in a habit of regular Bible reading, they are more likely to stick with it.

Lead by Example

As a Christian parent we have a great responsibility to turn the hearts of our children to God through Scripture. One of the best ways to do that is to model a love for Scripture. When kids see us reading our Bible and engaging in Bible study, they are much more likely to see it as normal and engage in it themselves.

While you’re at it, take time to build a prayer routine in your life. As you begin to pray regularly for your family, you’ll find yourself reading the Bible more, as well.

When my kids were in elementary and middle school, I would share what I was reading about and what God was revealing to me on a regular basis, usually when I picked them up from school. I was especially careful to share when we were going through a hard time. I wanted them to see a direct relationship between Scripture, God speaking to me, and our own lives.

Conclusion

As our year begins, I encourage you to find Bible reading and Bible study time with your kids. Any time is a good time to begin. Use a book or app to help, if you are not comfortable leading a reading or discussion/study time yourself. Your spiritual health will improve, and peace will begin to reign in your home. Once Bible reading and study becomes part of your daily lives, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

A prayer for your family’s spiritual growth:  Dear Lord, thank you for my sweet friend who wants to begin a regular Bible reading time with her family We know you want us to be reading Your Word and studying it so we know how to handle what life throws at us. Please guide us in a plan for reading in our family that will work for years to come. I pray as the kids grow older they want to pursue Bible reading and study on their own. Please show us when to have our own Bible study so we are ready to help lead our family in Your ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Peace & Joy,

🌸 Andrea

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