Saturday, July 11, 2026

We all know that reading the Bible is important, but it is hard. As adults, the Bible is intimidating and the idea of reading it with our children takes that discomfort to a whole new level. What is a parent to do when we want to start reading the Bible with our kids but feel woefully inadequate? Reading the Bible with our kids doesn’t need to be a source of stress, it can be one of our greatest joys.

Where do I start?

BABIES-PRESCHOOL

You may be asking yourself how this could look when you feel lucky to get dinner on the table. How can I read the Bible with my toddler when I am constantly trying to keep them from killing themselves (or you)? By setting up some basic rhythms in your day you can begin the practice that can bear fruit for you and your children into adulthood. 

1. Make intentional decisions

• Decide on a time. Set a time to read with your child and do it. When is your child the most cooperative? When do you naturally sit down and snuggle? Do you read other books with them? Add a Bible story to that time.
• Make it fun. Reading the Bible should be a joyful time. We are teaching our children about the God we love. When in doubt, strap them in their highchairs and give them a tasty snack before reading a story. We want our children to associate reading the Bible with joy. 
• Be consistent. It’s hard to be consistent when our children are young, but children love rhythms. You might have resistance initially, but give it time and you will find they will look forward to this special time with you. 

2. Make age appropriate choices

• Pick a Bible. Focus on choosing one that looks at the Bible as one big story. A couple choices we love are The Jesus Storybook Bible, The Gospel Storybook Bible, and The Biggest Story Bible. Each one of these options brings us back to the idea that we are in one story that points to Jesus. Check out each one from the library to see which you like best.
• Decide where to start. While it’s ok to start with Jesus in the New Testament, I suggest starting in the beginning. Why? Because it’s exciting. It has stories that will ignite our children’s imaginations. It’s also important to know where we came from. They need to know that God did not create a broken world. Humanity caused the brokenness, but we can see how God has constantly been drawing his people back to himself. When our children come to us in pain over the brokenness we see all around us, we can point back to the beginning and show how God has always been in the business of restoration and will ultimately restore humanity.  
• Keep it short. When you begin, your kids might not have the attention span for the entire story, so it’s OK to split it up into sections. As they grow, their attention spans will expand, and you will be able to read longer sections. 
• Interact with the story. Remind your children what you read about last time. As they get older, ask them if they remember what you read last time. Engage them in conversation on what they think will happen next. Have them tell back in their own words what the story was about. This will greatly increase their retention and engagement with the story. 

ELEMENTARY 

As our children grow up, the process of reading the Bible will become easier and more challenging simultaneously. On one hand, they can sit still longer and can comprehend more difficult ideas. On the other hand, they may be less willing to participate in something that seems “boring” to them. However, with some intention and preparation on your part, you can lead your children into a lifelong relationship with the Bible.

1. Pray

• Invite God into this process. The Bible is a book about God, so we should be asking for his help to understand what we are reading. Do this with your children.
• Remember this is a relationship. Prayer reminds us that we need help to understand God. It also reminds us that reading the Bible is relational. Relationships require input from both parties, and our relationship with God is no different. 

2. Prepare yourself

• Pick a passage. Children and adults love a good story. Start in Genesis or one of the gospels. Remember, it’s ok to skip certain parts your child is not ready for at that moment.
• Pre-read. Spend a few minutes reading on your own. See what questions arise in your mind. Anticipate some of the questions your children might have, and see if you can find the answer to those questions. It’s also good to know what’s coming to decide if there are parts that need to be omitted for now. 
• Prepare yourself. Look up any words you don’t understand or that don’t make sense. 
• Orient yourself. Try to figure out how this passage fits into the larger story of the Bible. Is this a story that’s meant to be taken as history, or is the passage trying to teach me how to live like Jesus? 

3. Read with your child. 

• Read from the Bible. Reading directly from the Bible at this age is totally appropriate, and most kids will have little trouble understanding what you are reading. Pick one of the more readable translations and just read. CedarCreek Kids uses the Adventure Bible and recommends the NLT or NIrV translations. 
• Interact with the text. Have your child narrate back what they heard in their own words. What did they notice? What questions do they have?  

4. Apply

• Application. Ask your child how this passage can impact how they live their life. Is there an immediate take away?
• Ask where they see God. How does it enhance your view of God? Can you see Jesus in the reading?  
• Finish in Prayer. End your time in prayer. Ask God to help you live our what you learned in his word. Ask him to help you love him and love others more based on what you learned.  

Bible study is a life-long adventure. Theologians spend their whole lives learning about God, yet it is also simple enough to be enjoyed by a child. When approaching the Bible with our children, it should be with humility but confidence. God longs for us to know him. We don’t have to be experts to read the Bible, but we do have to be willing to do it. Reading Scripture with our children is one of the highest callings a parent has. We have the privilege of impacting their eternity today.

Written by Julie Mabus, a Whitehouse attendee and parent.