As a parent, you know there’s a lot to gain from reading the Bible—and it’s a habit you probably want to see your kids develop as their faith grows! But like most things with parenting, overcoming the pressure to “get it right” can make it hard to get started. You want to introduce your kids to the Bible, but only if you can...
- Carve out the right amount of time
- Make sure they understand what they’re hearing
- Connect it to their everyday life in a way that makes sense
- Answer all of their questions about the Bible
But reading the Bible with your kids doesn’t have to be so complicated. A few simple tips and techniques can help you teach your kids to love the Bible, listen for God’s voice, and build a lifelong habit as their faith grows.
How to Read the Bible With Your Kids
1. Keep It Short and Sweet
You don't have to spend a long time reading the Bible together—and you don’t gain less from it just because time is limited. For younger kids especially, five minutes is a win! Start there and adjust as your child grows and their attention span increases.
2. Aim for Consistency
When it comes to teaching your kids how to build a habit, consistency is key. Pair Bible reading with something you already do each day like breakfast, naptime, bedtime, or after school. When reading the Bible becomes part of the routine, it feels normal—not forced.
3. Find the Right Bible
It could take your child up to 17 years to fully develop their vocabulary, and some versions of the Bible might use words they don’t understand yet. Luckily, there are Bibles written with kids and their unique developmental stages in mind. Reading from a Bible with simpler words can make it easier for kids to understand and engage.
Here are some we recommend:
If your child is around middle school age or older, we love the NLT translation! It’s written at approximately a 6th grade reading level, making the truths of the Bible simple to understand and apply to life.
4. Less Is More
You don’t need to read a certain amount of the Bible each day for it to “count.” Even one verse is enough! Don’t focus on how much you read, but about how much you gain from what you read. Talk about what stood out—it teaches how to interact with Scripture.
5. Help Them Recognize God’s Voice
As your kids read and hear the Bible, guide them to notice what God might be saying to them. After all, the Bible isn’t just a book—it's “inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Ask questions like, “What do you think God is trying to tell you in this verse?” or “How could this story help you today?” to help build the habit of listening for God.
6. Make It Fun
Kids often learn best through play and activities, so why not make the Bible fun? Act out Bible stories together, draw a picture of it, or use toys to build a scene from the passage. For older kids, watching a movie based on a story or person from the Bible can spark some interesting conversations. When imagination is engaged, stories stick!
7. Connect It to Real Life
The Bible can feel distant—after all, it was written a long time ago, and the stories don’t always feel relatable on the surface. It might take a little digging to help you child see how the Bible connects to their everyday life.
If you read about David and Goliath, for example, you might ask, “Did you notice that David was afraid before he fought Goliath? Is there anything you’re feeling afraid of today that we can talk about?” Scripture becomes more meaningful when kids see how it speaks into their own lives.
8. Don't Be Afraid to Say “I Don’t Know”
You don’t need to be a Biblical scholar to read the Bible to your kids. They'll probably ask questions you don’t know how to answer along the way—but that’s a sign that they’re getting curious and engaging.
It’s fine to say, “I’m not sure. Let’s look it up together.” There are tons of resources that can help you, like our articles about the Bible, which answer questions like “Is the Bible real?” and “Are there contradictions in the Bible?”.
We also have a podcast called The Evidence, which dives into some of the biggest questions about faith. It’s geared more toward older listeners, but it can equip you as a parent to answer your kids’ more complicated questions!
9. Close With Prayer
End your time by praying with and for your child. Keep it simple. Thank God for the story. Ask for help with something your child is facing. Prayer reminds them that God is present and that they can talk to him anytime.
You’re Laying the Foundation
Reading the Bible with your kids doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect. What matters most is showing up, keeping it simple, and helping your kids see that God’s Word is alive and relevant to their lives.
Start small, be consistent, and encourage your kids to notice what God might be saying to them. Over time, these simple moments become a foundation for your child’s spiritual growth.
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