The Bible has the words of life. It is full of practical wisdom and guidance for living. It teaches us what to believe and what not to believe, what to do and what not to do, how to honor God and follow Him all the days of our lives. His way is the best way.
Parents have the wonderful responsibility to teach the Bible to their children.
“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Here are two practical ways to talk with your kids about the Bible:
- Look for opportunities everywhere you go with your kids to talk about a truth or story from the Bible. For example, if you are at a football game, you might point out how God wants us to use our gifts and talents to honor Him in everything we do. Another example is this: if you are at the store buying groceries together, you might talk about how God cares about what we put into our bodies, and how He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” A third example is when your kids have a big test at school and fear of the upcoming test is gripping them. Remind them of the story of David and Goliath in the Bible and how God helps us to overcome enemies such as fear.
- Tell your kids what God is teaching you. As you sit down for dinner or drive down the road, say something like, “As I was reading the Bible this week, God was teaching me this….” And then tell them what God is teaching you. Make talking about the Bible just as normal in your family as talking about the events of the day and the weather.