Teaching the Bible to Your Children

I often get questions about Bible curriculum for homeschooling, and my response usually isn’t what everyone is looking for. But stay with me. There are lots of curricula out there, and I’ve tried a few. They weren’t horrible, but they weren’t what I really wanted for my kids. My philosophy, as a mom, is this: teaching the Bible to your children is not just something on your school curriculum list. For Christian parents, it should be top priority in every day.

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is the foundation of all clear views of religion. He that is well grounded in it will not generally waiver; he will not be carried about by every wind of new doctrine. Any system of training that does not make knowledge of Scripture its priority is unsafe and unsound. 

If you love your children, let the simple Bible be everything in the training of their souls and let all other books take second place. (J.C. Ryle, The Duties of Parents)

Too often I hear of parents who use only “Bible videos” or devotionals and call it their curriculum. I beg you, use those as an extra tool, not the main tool. A Bible curriculum should begin with the Bible itself, and should make use of study helps along the way.

So I have a formula for teaching the Bible, and it can be accomplished with different resources. I’ll explain each one in order, and several ways to accomplish it. The first steps will apply to beginners (of any age), so if your child has already completed one step, move on to the next. These steps could also apply to parents who have never made a habit of regular Bible study.

The Duties of Parents This book is a brief summary to describe the goals of parents which God holds them to account for. This book provokes much further thought than its few pages contain and will help any family re-assess their goals according to Scripture. This tiny book on Christian parenting will challenge you to the biblical responsibility of godly child rearing.

Memorize the Books of the Bible

This seems simple and maybe unimportant, but knowing how to find scriptures quickly is extremely beneficial to all the rest of Bible study. We simply teach memorization through repetition. I’ll start with the first five books of the Old Testament, and then add the next three, and then the “first and seconds” of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and so on. Breaking it up into little sections makes it easier.

You could use a song that teaches children to sing the books of the Bible in order, but I learned through my husband’s experience that singing (or rapping!) may be the only way your child will remember. That’s up to you!

For projects like this, we promise the kids a fun reward when they accomplish it, like an ice-cream outing or something.

Bible Drills

Once your kids have memorized the order of the books, let them practice with Bible drills. Call out scripture references and let everyone race to be the first to find — and read aloud — the verse. Explain that each book is divided up into chapters, and the chapters are divided into verses. This is for easy reading and reference.

Younger kids will be a bit slower, but give them time to learn the scripture reference system. Conduct drills for a few minutes several times a week until they understand and become quicker.

I have used two Bibles: a regular study Bible (we love the James MacArthur NKJV study Bible) as well as the Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos. It’s a gentle story/paraphrase of the Bible, sometimes quoting scripture verse for verse.

The Child’s Story Bible Originally published in 1935, this beloved Bible storybook is still a favorite with today’s children, parents, and teachers (including Ruth Bell Graham). More than 200 stories from the Old and New Testaments are retold in simple language appropriate for 4- to 12-year-olds, while remaining faithful to Scripture. Also, the colorful illustrations enhance the text.

Learning Basic Theology

After kids have an understanding of the people, places, and events of the Bible, they are ready for basic theology. One of the best ways to teach this is with a catechism. We like to use the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It is a wonderful walk through what we believe and where those beliefs are found in Scripture.

“Christian children mainly need to be taught the doctrines, precepts, and life of the gospel; they require divine truth to be put before them clearly and forcibly. Why should the higher doctrines, the doctrines of grace, be kept back from them? These doctrines are not merely structural bones; or if they are, they are full of marrow and covered with fatness.

Our responsibility is to make doctrine simple; this is a main part of our work. Teach the little ones the whole truth and nothing but the truth, for instruction is the great desire of the child’s nature.” (Charles Spurgeon, Come Ye Children)

You can purchase the catechism in many formats, such as books and eBooks, or even complete Bible studies. I simply printed this free copy for my kids. Each child was given a spiral notebook with their copy, and they study it by copying down the questions and answers, along with scripture proofs. Their instructions are to memorize the questions and answers by saying them a few times each day, and to copy down the scripture proofs with their references.

This solidifies the basic theology of the church by reading, writing, and saying it. It’s simple and yet very deep.

Scripture Memory

I believe this is one of the most vital ways to shape your worldview because it’s lasting. When we memorize anything, it’s rarely forgotten. In the case of scriptures, you may memorize and then move on with your life, but at some point those sacred words will come back to you in an hour of need. I know this from my own experience.

My mom began teaching me to memorize chapters or long sections of Scripture when I was about 11 or 12. We did a new section each month: Psalms, the Christmas story in Luke 2, sections of New Testament letters, etc. These have been invaluable to me my entire adulthood; and in an age where so many Christians are so easily led astray by trends and popular speakers, I can say that Scripture memory has given me a solid foundation to avoid falling for false teachings.

Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

You can start small and simple. Download my list of 25 easy scriptures to memorize. From there, you can do a couple of different things: let your children choose their next memorization from their own reading or catechism, or begin to search out longer sections from the Old and New Testaments.

25 Easy Scriptures to Memorize (630 downloads)

The process is pretty simple: read, repeat, read, repeat, read, repeat. There are many more elaborate ideas and programs on the web, but the reality is you just need to see and say it repeatedly to memorize. With my children, I’ll say a sentence or phrase once or twice, ask them to repeat it back to me, and then do it again. As they memorize two or three sections, we’ll put them all together and practice that. If they can read, I print a copy of the Scripture for them to hang up in their bedroom to look at daily.

Encourage Independent Bible Study

When you have proficient readers, they can begin to read the Bible on their own. Some kids will want to start at the beginning and read all the way through. Don’t discourage them! It’s a worthy goal and you can assist them. Other kids may want to start with something easy, or maybe with a particular favorite story or topic. That’s okay, too. Encourage them to start and to be consistent. Their reading level with determine how much they read each day: maybe a few verses or maybe 2-3 chapters.

ESV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition–soft leather-look, brown The MacArthur Study Bible has invited over 2 million readers around the world into the richness of God’s Word. Now the pastoral ministry and biblical study of Dr. John MacArthur is available to you in this fully redesigned second edition. Join Dr. MacArthur as he guides you through difficult passages and illuminates familiar ones with verse-by-verse study notes, book introductions, and articles. Compiled with a heart of biblical authenticity bridled with an unparalleled commitment to interpretive precision- all with the purpose of making God known through His Word to those who believe. Features: Fully redesigned second edition with updated study notes and expanded selection of maps and charts Nearly 25,000 verse-by-verse study notes 190 in-text maps, charts, and diagrams that illustrate the meanings, themes, teachings, people, and places of Scripture Outline of Systematic Theology More than 80,000 cross-references Concordance Bible reading plans Chronology of Old Testament Patriarchs and Judges Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets Chronology of the New Testament Overviews of Christ’s Life, Ministry, and Passion Week Harmony of the Gospels Introductions to each major section of Scripture Index to Key Bible Doctrines 9.5-point type size

Consider supplying them with a few goodies to make it special, like Bible highlighters, colored pens for underlining, or a journal to write down notes or favorite verses. Show them how to make it personal.

Lead the Way

In every part of training your children, be their leader. Teach them how to read the Bible and model it for them by letting them see you reading your Bible. Be prepared to answer their questions, even if that means saying, “I don’t know, but let’s find the answer together.”

One of my favorite books on this is Expository Parenting by Josh Niemi. He explains the beauty of teaching our children the Bible by reading it together verse by verse, from beginning to end. This is important, whether your children are doing a personal Bible study or not.

In the book, Niemi makes the case for parental responsibility in training our children. Not the Sunday School or the youth group, but parents. I agree wholeheartedly. While those classes and groups are fun and can definitely be a source of training, they should never be the only source for the children of Christian parents.

And like the quotes from Ryle and Spurgeon, above point out, don’t fall for the idea that your kids can’t learn theology. They can.

“You can rest assured that if a student is capable of learning trigonometry or biology then he or she is capable of learning ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church), pneumatology (the doctrine of the Holy Spirit), or eschatology (the doctrine of the end times). And rather than viewing systematic theology as an esoteric subject meant only for pastors and seminarians, your kids will recognize that they are simply learning the deep truths of the Bible meant for believers of all ages to learn, ponder, and ultimately enjoy to the glory of God.” (Josh Niemi, Expository Parenting)

As Christian parents, we cannot take this responsibility too lightly. All throughout the Bible, God is clear on the command to train our children up with His word.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

God bless you as you spend some time each day training your children in the Scriptures!

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