Help Children Love (and Use!) God’s Word

Kathie Phillips KidMin Families, KidMin Leadership, KidMin Volunteers

This past Sunday, my heart was filled to the brim when I presented a 5th grade girl with her very own copy of God’s Word, the Bible.  She has never had her own copy, so to say that she was delighted is a gross understatement.  Seeing her clutch her brand new Bible to her chest and then run to show her Mom was a moment that I will treasure for a long while.  When you think about all of the things that children today receive, it is so refreshing to see them desire their own copy of God’s Word with the same enthusiasm as receiving the newest electronic gadget.

If you’re like me, you may own at least 10 different Bibles.  I own Bibles in just about every translation and paraphrase, devotional Bibles, leadership Bibles, children’s Bibles and study Bibles.  It’s hard to imagine that many people, particularly children, do not own a copy of the Bible.

Our Children’s Ministry formally presents Bibles to preschoolers, kindergarteners and 3rd graders.  We also keep Bibles on hand for older children (4th and 5th graders).  Here are the Bibles that we present to each age group:

Preschoolers (3 year-olds):  The Jesus Storybook Bible

Kindergarteners:  The Early Reader’s Bible

3rd Graders:  The Adventure Bible (NIV)

Preteens:  The Realife Devotional Bible (one for boys and one for girls)

Photograph courtesy of iStock Photo
Photograph courtesy of iStockphoto

Once you place God’s Word in the hands of a child, help them discover the precious truths hidden within its pages.

Teachers, you can help students use the Bible each week in class by:

  • Opening the Bible.  For younger children, read the story directly from the Bible and show the corresponding pictures.  For older children, have them follow the text (or read it aloud) as you teach the day’s lesson.  Help them understand that the story isn’t just any story; it’s from God’s Word.
  • Helping them navigate the Bible.  Help them understand how the Bible is divided (Old Testament or New Testament; chapter, verse).
  • Helping them become Bible-literate.  Help them discover who wrote the book; background history, maps/timelines, etc.
  • Marking the week’s memory verse, if parents allow children to mark in their Bible.
  • Providing daily devotions that include a Bible verse to continue the learning at home.

Parents, you can help your children use the Bible at home each week by:

  • Having your children retell the Bible story presented in class.  Help them locate the scripture passage in their Bible and retell the story in their own words.
  • Using take-home pages to continue the learning at home.
  • Directing them to God’s Word when they struggle with a particular area (i.e. What does the Bible say about obedience?  Justice? Self-image?)

Let’s not just give children a Bible.  Let’s help them love it passionately, read it daily and become a useful tool in growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Do you or your child have a favorite Bible?  Tell me about it below!

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2 thoughts to “Help Children Love (and Use!) God’s Word”

  1. I remember when a Sunday School teacher gave me a New Testament many years ago. It was a very special moment for me, too. I still have it!…What a great way to touch young people and encourage them in their personal journeys with the Lord. Wherever that 5th grader goes, I am sure she will remember you, what she’s learned with your ministry, and how special God thinks she is to make sure she had her very own Bible.

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