Reading the Bible with Children
The Bible is our holy text, and yet sometimes it can be so confusing and hard to read, especially with children. Here are some thoughts and ideas for reading the Bible at home with children:
Faith Practice Spotlight: Lectio Divina — Lectio Divina means divine reading and is an ancient practice of reading one passage several times through and seeing how the Holy Spirit opens up your interpretation of it. There are many different ways to approach it. Here’s a simple version:
Reading the Bible Links:
Children’s Bibles: Growing in God’s Love, Celebrate Wonder, Children of God Storybook Bible
A helpful article: Six Ways of Reading the Bible from Illustrated Ministry
A place to start with reading plans: there are so many different reading plans HERE, and you can choose the version of the Bible you wish to receive. Always screen the passages before reading with children.
- Find a good children’s Bible — Having a good children’s Bible does a lot of the work for you in terms of helping to make the passages accessible to children. There are three recommendations below, or do your own searching among the options out there. Be sure to read through the passion narrative to see if you are comfortable with the way it’s portrayed, and don’t overlook the pictures.
- Re-read the passages you read at church — Stumped about what to read? Re-read and review the passages that were talked about in worship. Click here for the most recent at Palma Ceia.
- Try Bible Art Journaling — There are tons of examples of beautiful art that you can make using Bible stories as an inspiration, including specific journaling Bibles you can buy. It’s a great way to remind children that we can use all of our senses and talents when we read through the Bible.
- Try reading through a book of the Bible — Reading through the Bible gives a great sense of accomplishment. I recommend starting with one of the Gospels and reading through the story of Jesus to start.
- Remember: not everything in the Bible is suitable for children — There’s nothing wrong with censoring parts of the Bible for young children. There are many themes and passages that are simply not appropriate for young children.
Faith Practice Spotlight: Lectio Divina — Lectio Divina means divine reading and is an ancient practice of reading one passage several times through and seeing how the Holy Spirit opens up your interpretation of it. There are many different ways to approach it. Here’s a simple version:
- Step one, read. — Read through the passage, out loud. Note any verse or word that stands out to you.
- Step two, meditate — Read through the passage again, out loud. Think about how it connects to your life.
- Step three, pray — Read through the passage a third time, out loud. Consider if God is speaking to you through this passage. What is God saying to you about it? What would you like to say to God about it?
- Step four, contemplate — Read through the passage one final time. Consider if there is any action you’d like to take as a result of the passage.
Reading the Bible Links:
Children’s Bibles: Growing in God’s Love, Celebrate Wonder, Children of God Storybook Bible
A helpful article: Six Ways of Reading the Bible from Illustrated Ministry
A place to start with reading plans: there are so many different reading plans HERE, and you can choose the version of the Bible you wish to receive. Always screen the passages before reading with children.
Other Treasures
Children’s Bible on Sale for Kindle — While doing some research for the PREMIUM version of this email, I noticed that the Children of God Storybook Bible, by Desmond Tutu, is on SALE for Kindle for only $2.99. I share this not knowing the mysteries of Amazon pricing in the least, nor knowing how long it will be so, but as of right now, this is a great price for a great resource that would be great to have handy for whenever you need it.
Creation Speaks — Our family spent the week at FAMILY CAMP last week and loved it so much! I was in charge of family devotions, and we used the CREATION SPEAKS curriculum, which I thought was really well done. It’s an all inclusive curriculum that’s designed for camps, but I could see applications for VBS or individual church use. It’s just loaded with good lessons broken out for all ages and includes worship services and the whole nine yards.
A Scientific Concept I’ve Been Thinking About Again — The MOBIUS STRIP. I was happy to see this incorporated into one of the lessons in the summer curriculum I mentioned above. I’ve long been fascinated by it. You can MAKE A MOBIUS STRIP or LISTEN TO THIS GREAT STORY to dive deeper. The basic idea is that what goes around comes back around, but not in the same way. It’ll make you think.
Mainline Protestant Church Growth (Not Dead Yet) — Diana Butler Bass is a true scholar and great researcher. THIS article is more than worth your time.
Summer Vacation Reading — In addition to plowing through a couple of fun sci-fi reads and middle grade works, I listened to DOLLY PARTON’S story on audio this week. What a fascinating woman with an incredible life story. I highly recommend listening to this one. I enjoyed it, and it’s not long. I got it on the Libby app through the library.
There you are, friends! Hope you enjoy this week’s treasures, beamed to you from my staycation week at home. Be well and kind to yourself during these summer months.
Enjoy the treasures,
Traci Smith - TraciSmith.com
Creation Speaks — Our family spent the week at FAMILY CAMP last week and loved it so much! I was in charge of family devotions, and we used the CREATION SPEAKS curriculum, which I thought was really well done. It’s an all inclusive curriculum that’s designed for camps, but I could see applications for VBS or individual church use. It’s just loaded with good lessons broken out for all ages and includes worship services and the whole nine yards.
A Scientific Concept I’ve Been Thinking About Again — The MOBIUS STRIP. I was happy to see this incorporated into one of the lessons in the summer curriculum I mentioned above. I’ve long been fascinated by it. You can MAKE A MOBIUS STRIP or LISTEN TO THIS GREAT STORY to dive deeper. The basic idea is that what goes around comes back around, but not in the same way. It’ll make you think.
Mainline Protestant Church Growth (Not Dead Yet) — Diana Butler Bass is a true scholar and great researcher. THIS article is more than worth your time.
Summer Vacation Reading — In addition to plowing through a couple of fun sci-fi reads and middle grade works, I listened to DOLLY PARTON’S story on audio this week. What a fascinating woman with an incredible life story. I highly recommend listening to this one. I enjoyed it, and it’s not long. I got it on the Libby app through the library.
There you are, friends! Hope you enjoy this week’s treasures, beamed to you from my staycation week at home. Be well and kind to yourself during these summer months.
Enjoy the treasures,
Traci Smith - TraciSmith.com
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webpage for more on reading the Bible
webpage for more on reading the Bible
Resources
Preschool Bible Options
Ages 0-2
Preschool
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Elementary Bible Options
3rd and UP
Ages 7-12
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Suggested Ages 3rd Grade and UP
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