By Mimi Keel
This summer, I got to spend a week with 16 girls in Cabin 10 at Youthfront Camp West. Doing Pumba (pool Zumba) ranked right up there with Night Strike for me. In addition to all the crazy waterfront fun, treetop adventures, and themed parties, I loved getting to hear what the girls had on their minds. One afternoon, walking to the Snack Shack, one of the girls asked, “Where do I start reading in the Bible?” What a great question. Where do we start reading the Bible with our kids? It’s a humongous and intimidating book.
Before we ask where to start reading, we might consider what our goal is in reading the Bible with our kids. When I think of reading the Bible with children, I think of the idea of igniting their imaginations with the true story of the Almighty God at work in the world. Kids love to hear a great story. The Bible is the most riveting story about the God of the universe and God’s adventures among human beings throughout history. So what if our goal is to invite them to time travel through the story of God at their speed through their lens?
What should we read?
Every family is unique, so I’ve compiled several different ideas for reading the Bible. As parents, you know best what suits your kids’ ages, preferences and schedule. Choose a method that works for your family in your current season.
Read Through a Storybook Bible
If you have young children, ages 2-4, The Rhyme Bible Storybook by L.J Sattgast is a favorite of mine. Littles love the rhyming words and enjoy repetition. For kids ages 4-6, The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones offers refreshing and thoughtful language and playful illustrations.
Start With the Gospels
Enter into Jesus’ life on earth from one of the gospel books in the New Testament- Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Read a small section within a chapter. For example, read one passage, like John 1: 1-18, The Word Became Flesh. Before reading, invite everyone to listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at them. After reading, everyone can share their word or phrase. One of the gospel books is also a fantastic starting place for older kids (ages 9+) expressing a desire to read the Bible on their own.
Follow the Lectionary
The Revised Common Lectionary offers four or five passages of scripture per week, built around the seasons of the Church Year. I like this option because the readings are all mapped out for you and you can choose the text that seems most age appropriate for your kids.
When you open the webpage, you will notice the year with liturgical seasons on the left side of the page. Click the season and it will take you to the dates and readings. You can choose one reading per day or one per week to read with your family. Some churches follow the lectionary readings each year. This year at Jacob’s Well Church, where I serve as Children’s Pastor, the Sunday morning teachings are based on lectionary passages and then families are invited to read at home during the week. And as shared above, you might invite everyone to listen for a word or phrase that pops out to them as they listen. Then, after reading, invite everyone to share their word or phrase.
Make it Exciting
Have kids that appreciate action and adventure? They might like to read through The Action Bible, which is illustrated like a graphic novel. Kids can enjoy reading this on their own as well (suggested age 7-13).
Take it Chronologically
Another great method for making your way through the story of God with older kids (middle and high school age) is to read the Bible in chronological order. You can find chronological reading plans online or make it simple with a chronological Bible like The Daily Bible by F. LaGard Smith.
How do we read the Bible together?
Keep it short (five to seven minutes for 4 to 6-year-olds, ten minutes for 7 to 9-year-olds, fifteen minutes for 10 to 16-year-olds). Change it up. Leave them wanting more.
Sometimes, you might invite everyone to close their eyes and imagine while you or one of your older kids reads. When kids are old enough to read, let them read the passage. If they aren’t reading yet or are just learning to read, read it while they close their eyes and imagine or invite them to draw what they are hearing. Resist explaining the meaning of the text; instead wonder with your kids. Author of Godly Play, Jerome Berryman writes about wondering together. He suggests asking open-ended questions that begin with the words, “I wonder…”
- I wonder what picture popped into your head when you were listening to this story?
- I wonder if this story makes you think of anything?
- I wonder how this story made you feel?
- I wonder if this story shows you something about what God is like?
- I wonder if there was a character you liked most in this story? Or least? Why?
Pick an optimum time and place for your time together. Maybe bedtime is the best time for your family. Kids always want to put off going to bed! Turn off the lights and grab a flashlight to set the mood. Or maybe you do it over a before-bedtime snack. You might let the kids take turns picking the location for your time together.
What do I do if I don’t know the answers to their questions that come up?
Children’ Pastor and author, Meredith Anne Miller says, “You don’t have to know the answer. What matters most is showing that anything is okay to ask. When your kids ask a question about the Bible, tell them that’s a great question. I don’t know the answer, but we can find out.” Meredith invites us to wonder, search for the answer, and circle back to talk about what we find out.
Your kids are constructing their theology. The Holy Spirit is their helper and guide. We, as parents, get to help create environments for the Holy Spirit to ignite the imaginations of our children with the marvelous story of the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s kingdom. Our kids don’t need us to have all the answers. They just want to be co-journeyers with us in exploring the greatest story of all time.
About Mimi Keel: Mimi serves as the children’s ministry pastor at Jacob’s Well Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She works with her team to create environments that capture the imaginations of children with the kingdom of God through innovative pedagogy, healthy relational community, and classic spiritual formation practices. She also enjoys life with her husband Tim, their adult children, and grandchildren.
Mimi serves on the Youthfront Christian parenting and caregiving resource team.
