You can’t do Bible time wrong.

How do you share God’s love story with your children?

Introducing your child to Jesus Christ and God’s redeeming love impacts your child for all eternity. We want our dearest and nearest to know that Scripture says, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” (Romans 10:13b, NIV) and “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame,” (Romans 10:11).

When my children were young, we read aloud from a good children’s Bible and transitioned to a real Bible as soon as possible. By taking turns, each of my seven became comfortable reading Scripture. We called our daily practice Bible Time.

To read a chapter of the Bible aloud takes seven minutes. Children are intrigued by the commoner-turned-princess in Esther and the true love found by Ruth. Youngsters are fascinated with noble Boaz, Daniel’s brave encounter with the lions, King David’s mighty men, and Joseph’s rise from slave to power in Egypt.

Once in the habit of reading a chapter from the Bible aloud, we added a Psalm. Next, we included a chapter of Proverbs.

With the goal of regular time as a family reading God’s love letter, we eventually read one chapter from the Old Testament, a Psalm, the Proverb of the day, and a chapter from the New Testament.

Our Bible reading generated questions that sparked lively discussions and additional research. The children took some of their questions to our pastor.

Pray

We ended family Bible time by praying aloud, beginning with the youngest and ending with the oldest.

One of my children started a notebook to record prayer requests, answered prayers, and things we were thankful for. The list reminded us of God’s faithfulness. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know,” (Jeremiah 33:3).

By highlighting memorized verses and recording answered prayers along the margins, the family Bible became a family history of God’s interactions with our household.

Bless

In the Bible, the patriarchs spoke words of blessing over their children. Each time I found uplifting words of grace in Scripture, I added these verses to the list to speak over my children.

Whether gathering for family devotions in the morning, after dinner, or before bed, blessing the children with Scripture verses was a reassuring way to send everyone off to the next activity.

Blessings to say over children:

• Numbers 6:24–26
• Ephesians 3:14–21
• Psalm 20

To the foundation of reading God’s Word, prayer, and blessing, we added memorization and music.

Memorize

A child’s ability to memorize is keen, and Scripture committed to memory stays with them throughout their life. We first memorized the books of the Bible. Daily, we recited the first five books three times. When those names came effortlessly, we added the next five. Each child who recited the 66 books received a Bible to celebrate their big accomplishment.

One verse at a time, we memorized favorite verses, passages, and chapters. The poetic wording of the New King James version is beautiful and easy to recall. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” (Psalm 119:11, NKJV).

We learned to regularly recite what we worked so hard to know after we memorized the Ten Commandments one verse at a time, patted ourselves on the back for our accomplishment, and promptly forgot it.

Scriptures to memorize include:

• John 3:16
• John 1:1–14
• 1 Corinthians 13
• Psalm 1

Sing

Younger children particularly enjoy upbeat songs with movements. I don’t want to sing when I’m in emotional pain but once I begin, even through gritted teeth, burdens fall away like a soldier releasing a 70-pound rucksack. Reluctant initially, teens join younger siblings in the cheesy songs and cheesier movements before shifting to praise music. Verses put to music were the easiest to memorize.

I don’t want to sing when I’m in emotional pain but once I begin, even through gritted teeth, burdens fall away like a soldier releasing a 70-pound rucksack.

Tips

1. You can’t do Bible time wrong.
2. Don’t quit if you miss a day. Or three. Simply engage again.
3. Do abbreviate. The days you need a shorter version, read a Psalm and pray. At least pray.
4. Ignoring distractions reminds children they are valuable, and this time is sacred. Use this quality time to relax with your children. 
5. Do have everyone participate. Bible time is enriching for parent and child.
6. Do enjoy the Bible with dessert. “The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb,” (Psalm 19:9–10, NIV).

Vary Bible time activities to keep the time fresh.

• Play Bible based games. The Books of the Bible game is a card game we still play and available as a free download at SingleMomCircle.com
• Race to see how fast family members can locate Scripture references.
• Watch Bible based films such as Focus on the Family’s series titled That The World May Know or The Chosen by Dallas Jenkins.
• Read about people of faith.
• Celebrate Palm Sunday by reenacting Jesus’ triumphal entry. Take turns pretending to be the donkey while others spread coats on the floor and ride on the donkey’s back.
• Allow young ones to cuddle during Bible time. Wiggly children may like to brush the dog, color, do hand sewing, quietly build with Legos, or sort socks while listening.
• Any question is a good question. Many questions are answered while learning what the Bible says.
• When a child is comfortable reading the Bible, encourage them to begin personal devotions.

Children naturally have questions about the meaning of life. The benefits of Bible Time include an easy family tradition with eternal impact, a forum for questioning, a safe place to express hurt and hope, and stability for the children.

Begin today. Invest seven minutes daily in your child’s spiritual growth.

For additional tips, check out The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make by Pam Farrel and PeggySue Wells.