Want to (consistently) read the Bible as a family, but unsure when, where, or how to start?? While there are no perfect formulas, there are plenty of ways to make it a meaningful practice. Follow these tips to build your own thriving family Bible reading routine.
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Few practices are more beneficial for family discipleship and bonding than reading the Bible together as a family. Making this spiritual discipline a priority:
- Communicates the importance of time in God’s Word
- Helps young kids develop the habit early
- Enables us to guide our kids’ Biblical reading and understanding
Helpful Posts:
How I Read the Bible to My Kids (to Teach Biblical Literacy)
How to Teach the Bible as One Continuous Story to Your Kids
- Provides prime opportunities to discuss the Bible
- Contributes to family bonding
- Is one way to obey God’s directive to parents in Deuteronomy 6:6-9
For these reasons and more, reading the Bible as a family is a vital component to any family discipleship plan. But as any modern parent knows, that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Making the time, sticking to a routine, battling attitudes and attention spans, and knowing where/how to start can all make it a challenge.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to read the Bible together as a family – time in God’s Word is always well-spent! But my hope is that the following tips will help you develop a consistent, thriving Bible reading routine in your home.
10 Tips for a Thriving Family Bible Reading Routine
Want to (consistently) read the Bible as a family, but unsure when, where, or how to start?? While there are no perfect formulas, there are plenty of ways to make it a meaningful practice. Follow these tips to build your own thriving family Bible reading routine.
1. Have a plan
Knowing what you’re going to read before you start will keep your wheels from spinning and help you maintain your Bible reading momentum. And fortunately, we live in the age of an abundance of reading plans!
Whatever plan you choose or develop, I strongly urge you to read straight from the Bible. There are lots of great devotionals out there that can be valuable supplements, but it is important that our kids get the “meat” of their spiritual diet from God’s Word, itself.
For more practical help, here’s How I Read the Bible to My Kids to Teach Biblical Literacy.
2. Choose a good time
There is no “right” time to read the Bible as a family, but a good time is 1) one you can consistently commit to, and 2) when your kids are the most attentive and receptive. For us right now, that’s while the kids eat breakfast (with some further discussion at dinner).
3. Do it while they’re a captive audience
One of my best practical tips for family Bible reading is to do it while your kids are naturally contained in one place. It also helps when they are physically doing something but still mentally available. That’s why I think meals are an ideal time for a family Bible reading routine. Car rides are another one. (If you’re driving, find an audio version of the Bible to listen to together.)
4. Know (and communicate) the “Why”
Our attitudes as parents set the tone for the entire family, so get excited! Make sure you know why reading the Bible together as a family is so important, and then convey that to your kids. Reiterate (repeatedly) why you’re doing it. Don’t let your family Bible reading become just another thing you/they “have” to do.
5. Read extended passages (but know when to stop)
One reason I’m not a fan of most kids’ devotionals is that they tend to be short on actual Scripture. Many offer only a single verse (or maybe two) each day, and then develop a lesson around it, stripping those verses of their important context.
So, early on, I knew I wanted to do things differently. I wanted to read straight out of the Bible and read enough to give good context to the passage. That usually means a full chapter or more. I’m a firm believer that kids can handle more than we give them credit for, especially when we “train” their interest and attention from a young age.
That said… stop when you see their interest flagging. Yes, we want to build Biblical literacy, but even more importantly, we want to cultivate a love for God’s Word. We don’t want our family Bible reading to be something we have to “force” our kids to sit through. If reading from the Bible is new to you and your kids, start small and work your way up to longer passages.
6. Read with enthusiasm
What helps kids listen to Bible readings for extended periods of time? Reading with feeling and enthusiasm! I’m not saying we have to make a big production out of it (your kids will likely roll their eyes at that). I’m simply talking about infusing our reading with excitement. And really, when we, as parents, have our own love for God’s Word, we can’t help but read it with passion!
If you’re someone who just is not much of a reader, find a good audio version – I promise you, it’s not cheating. 😉
7. Study on your own
But what about all those passages that are confusing, graphic, or just plain weird (I know you know what I’m talking about)? What should we do with those??
We’ve all likely heard the saying, “Those who can’t do, teach.” As any good teacher can tell you, though, that’s a bunch of baloney. To be able to effectively teach a subject to others, you actually have to know it even better. And that certainly applies to the Bible!
So before you dive into a specific Bible reading with the entire family, study it yourself. Know where those “tricky” spots are, anticipate potential questions, and seek out answers on your own first. Then, read it with your kids.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean you have to be a scholar or know all the answers! The vast majority of us don’t have seminary degrees, and none of us knows everything about the Bible. So, be honest when you don’t know something, and then search for the answers together!
To help you, here are some of My Favorite Bible Study Tools.
8. Embrace the Questions
If I know anything about kids (and by this point, I think I do), as you read the Bible as a family, your kids are going to have some questions. And some of them will be tough ones. Our natural reaction is often to panic or try to avoid them, but don’t shut them down! Encourage your kids’ questions, even when they’re challenging. These questions often lead to rich discussions. And remember — God is not threatened by their questions. He and His Word can stand up to scrutiny!
It is very important, however, that we do adequately address our kids’ questions. Don’t avoid them, don’t insist they “just trust” you, and DO NOT try to balderdash your way through it. Kids can spot baloney a mile away, and it will hurt all your credibility. As previously mentioned, be honest when you don’t have an answer, and then do some digging as a family.
9. Make it engaging
Bible reading doesn’t have to be boring – in fact, it shouldn’t be! The Bible is alive and exciting! Here are a few ways to make your family Bible reading more engaging:
- Encourage a little movement (as long as it’s not too distracting)
- Add props or visual aids (this is completely optional, so don’t stress!)
- Ask questions (This does NOT mean quizzing them to make sure they’re paying attention, but rather digging to get to the heart of your reading. Questions like, “Why do you think…?,” “What did he mean by…?,” and “How does this compare to other things we’ve read in Scripture?” are all great ways to get your kids thinking.)
- Invite your kids to predict what’s going to happen next
- Have them say repeated words and phrases with you
- Let them act out a Bible narrative
- Give them some paper and have them draw the story while you read
- Add activities (if that’s your thing)
- Discuss what the reading shows about God
10. Have realistic expectations
Even the most experienced families will tell you (if they’re honest) that their Bible reading routines are not perfect. They don’t always look exactly how we want them to. Our kids are not always going to sit perfectly still or stay perfectly quiet. They’re going to be more interested in some passages than others. They might not always be “into” it.
We aren’t always going to see an immediate reward from our family Bible readings. We might even question whether it’s really “doing anything.” But as with the discipline of personal Bible reading, we know there is ALWAYS value in it. There is something happening each and every time we open up the Bible and dig into God’s Word together.
So even when your kids are squirmy and chatty, even when they don’t seem to be getting anything out of it, even when you’re not prepared, and even when you don’t “feel” like it… keep going. Keep investing. Keep stewarding your children’s hearts.
It IS worth it.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- 7 Ways to Disciple Your Kids at Home
- 10 Perfect Gifts for Building Kids’ Faith
- Apologetics Resources for Christian Moms
- My Favorite Resources for Building Character in Kids
- 20 Christ-Centered Easter Basket Fillers
- My Favorite Podcasts for Christian Moms
Share your thoughts!