5 Ways to Engage Your Kids in Learning the Bible at Home
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Earlier this week I was thinking fondly about last Christmas when our family read through Ann Voskamp’s children’s advent devotional, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. I’m already looking forward to doing it again because it seemed such a beautiful sacred season where we slowed down and focused on the meaning of the days building to the birth of Jesus.
When I thought about that season, I realized that we didn’t do any of the crafts, we just kept it simple and did our best to be faithful to read the Scripture and story each day, typically after dinner/during dinner was the best time. And it was absolutely great, but there are also times when my kids need a little more than quiet listening. Today I wanted to discuss 5 ways to engage your kids in learning the Bible at home. As my pastor says often, ‘There’s much more caught than taught.” So if all we ever do is show up at church on Sundays without living out our faith during the week, then our children are going to have a tough time “catching” from us. Let’s check out a few ideas!
1. Use a Bible app.
In the technology generation in which we live, I truly believe that teaching our kids the important of having a Bible app installed on their devices and using apps to grow their spiritual walk is vital. I have several Bible apps I love to use, depending on the purpose.
2. Create together.
Whether you get out the play-dough or paper and markers…maybe you bake a loaf of bread after reading how the ravens brought food to Elijah… there is nothing like talking through the Bible story or lesson while you work with your minds and hands to make something.
3. Stimulate the senses.
Remember the beautiful artwork I mentioned above? That was a visual stimulation. And this will help us log memories both in our minds and hearts. If you do decide to bake that loaf of bread, talk about how it smells and what it must have been like for Elijah. Could he smell the food on its way?
4. Ask discussion questions.
Don’t give all the answers. Ask your children what they are thinking; encourage them to share their thoughts about details that aren’t given. “What color do you think that was?” “How big do you think it was?”
5. Act on the lesson.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” What’s one thing you’d like to be done to or for you? How do you like for questions to be asked of you? Does it make you feel more cared about if someone uses “Please” when you are asked to do something?
Whatever the lesson, think of a simple way you can follow through to put action behind the meaning.
While these 5 ways to engage your children in learning the Bible at home seem simple enough, I personally find that in the midst of life and all its activities, it’s easy to lose focus on how important it is to prioritize our faith. When I break it down to simple steps I can easily think through, then teaching my kids to enjoy the Bible throughout the week becomes much more enjoyable and doable.
Recently I had the privilege of reviewing a wonderful tool from Awana called “Sproutbox.” This monthly subscription service provides a family experience to walk through all of the above steps and learn God’s Word at home while having a wonderful time together. If you’d love to be able to easily implement the ideas above, then Awana-supported Sproutbox is a wonderful solution.
What simple ways have you found to bring your faith into everyday living with your children? I’d love to hear about them today!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Rachel
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