Inside: Let’s face it. Raising little disciples isn’t easy. With busy schedules and complicated routines, it’s difficult to find time to make family Bible study a priority! Wherever you are when it comes to family devotionals, these simple tips will help you make family Bible study time a reality!
“Mama, let’s do shadow stories!” My kids bounced off the couch and sprang into position on the living room rug.
At first glance, you’d think they were ready for a wrestling match or full-contact sports. Ahem… We’ve been known to have some throw-down tickling matches in our house.
But no. They were ready for family Bible study!
Let me rewind… A few weeks ago, during our devotions, my son had the idea to act out the story. So I grabbed a flashlight, turned out all the lights, and opened my Bible. As I read the story of creation, my son and daughter acted out the story, making huge shadows on the wall.
It was an instant hit. And now we’re destined to do it again and again. And again!
Now, our family Bible study time isn’t always this adventurous. Sometimes it’s one simple chapter before bed. Sometimes it’s listening to our favorite Bible songs in the car and talking about what we hear.
It’s not always fancy. But fancy isn’t what saves little souls anyway.
For sure, family devotions aren’t always easy either. But no matter what your background is, you have a choice to make.
Every single day is a brand new chance to open up God’s word to your children, to make them “wise for salvation.”
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
I hope this guide to family Bible study will encourage you and give you confidence to make family devotions a priority!
You sow the seeds, then let the Spirit do the work!
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4 Simple Family Bible Study Tips to Help you Stay Consistent!
Family Bible Study Tip #1: Make Time, Don’t Take Time
It can be such a struggle to find time for Bible study for kids.
Hectic dinners, work, chores, games and practices, and just life can get in the way.
Sometimes there’s no time left in the day to take for family devotions.
I learned this nugget of truth from a connect group leader at my church. When you can’t take the time for family devotions, you’ve got to make the time. And it may take some creativity to make it happen!
- Evaluate: Do I need to create more margin? Is our family so busy that we can’t find time for this fundamental spiritual discipline? What should I cross off our schedules?
- Prioritize: Is something else consistently coming before our family studying God’s word? Do my priorities need shifting?
- Get Creative: Something that’s worked for our family is to combine family Bible study time with something else. For example, in the past, we’ve done Bible study at breakfast. I’ll read a short passage and talk about it while the kids eat their oatmeal at the kitchen counter. Bring devotional time to the dinner table, or even car trips and the drop off line at school!
- Adjust: It’s important to realize that everything comes and goes in seasons. Sometimes you’ll be a morning Bible study family. Other times you’ll be a right before bed Bible study family. And other times you’ll be an “Oh-my-goodness-we-forgot family!” Some seasons are more busy than others, and that’s OK.
Action Step: Nail down one 15 minute block of time for family Bible study. Get creative!
Family Bible Study Tip #2: Take Baby Bites
Ever picked up your Bible and just thought, “Where do I even begin?” Starting a family Bible study can feel the same way. Should you start in the Gospels? Read chronologically? Do character studies?
There are a million ways to read the Bible. And for a family struggling to stay consistent with Bible study, it’s simply overwhelming!
Pause. Take a breath.
And just take it one baby bite at a time.
Here’s the good news and the bad news all wrapped up at once: You’ll never teach your child everything they need to know about God’s word.
That’s bad news of course because we want to make sure we give our kids a solid foundation of truth.
But it’s also great news because it means there is always another question, another facet to explore. There is a lifetime of discovery waiting in the words of that book.
So don’t worry about covering every single thing. Just get started.
After all, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to illuminate the Scriptures to your child’s heart. And He’s willing to take a lifetime to do it!
You get the privilege of introducing your child to God’s word. Just take it one tiny bite at a time.
Action Step: Narrow down your Bible study topic to two or three choices. Then jump in and get started. Or let your kids choose which topic to study first!
Family Bible Study Tip #3: Keep it Authentic
Your kids will definitely benefit from hearing a commentary or explanation of Scripture. But you know what will make the biggest difference in your family devotional time?
Authenticity.
It’s so simple! As you read or study, talk about how you have personally applied that verse to your own life. Or tell your child how that verse is challenging you to change something in your attitude or actions!
More than perfectly written studies or tools, your kids need to see what it looks like to live as a walking, talking disciple of Jesus. And they need to see it in you!
So be authentic. Be transparent.
I promise it will bring new life to your family bible study!
Action Step: Share something from your heart during your next family devotional time. Don’t be afraid to be authentic! Your children will hang on your every word, I promise.
Try These Family Bible Study Books
You’re ready to commit to awesome family devotion time. That’s incredible! But before you get started, I want to share a few tools and resources for Bible study for kids.
Of course, you can absolutely just grab your Bible, snuggle up with the kids on the couch, and go from there. Just listen for those gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit to ask questions and get your children engaged.
Sometimes simple is best!
But there are also so many excellent Bible study tools for families! If you’d like a bit more direction when it comes to your family devotions, these books and tools are for you.
Bible Study Tools for Little Kids
- Wise for Salvation: Meaningful Devotions for Families with Little Ones. We use this and love it so much!
- The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. We’ve also read this over and over. I love reading from this children’s Bible then reading the passage in my Bible as well.
- Toddler and Preschooler Curriculum packs: If your kids learn best with hands-on lessons, you’ll love my printable monthly Bible curriculum packs. Each unit is laser focused on a truth from Scripture, like loving others or studying God’s creation. Through tactile object lessons, you’ll study God’s word in a way that’s super accessible and fun!
- Your toddler and preschoolers will also love my printable card set: 31 Days of Proverbs for Little Ones. One short verse a day, plus a super-simple activity to reinforce each day’s wisdom!
Bible Study Tools for Older Kids
- The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture
- One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters: 365 Opportunities to Grow Closer to God as a Family
- The Very Best Hands-On Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions: This looks amazing! We will definitely be trying out this fun Bible study tool when the kids get older!
Your Turn
What’s your take on family Bible study? Love it? Struggling? Ready to get started?
Let’s connect in the comments!
I can’t wait to hear how you use these simple tips to make family Bible study lessons a consistent, powerful habit in your own family!
