How to Read the Bible With Your Child
Modern Burlap · For parents and caregivers
Read the Bible with your child.
You do not need to be a Bible teacher. Be the grown-up who opens Scripture, wonders alongside your child, and keeps making room to come back.
Begin with a reading for tonight.
Open one of eight passages with a short reflection, a question for your child, and an original prayer.
Keep it smaller than you think.
One paragraph can be enough. A five-minute reading repeated often can serve a family better than an ambitious plan everyone dreads.
Read the passage before giving the lesson.
Ask “What happened?” “What did you notice?” and “What does this show us about God?” before deciding what it should mean for your child's life.
Let children participate differently.
A child can listen, draw, point, act something out, retell one detail, ask a question, or sit nearby. Reading ability is not the measure of spiritual participation.
When you do not know, say so.
“I don't know. Let's find out” teaches that Scripture deserves careful attention and adults are still learning.
Do not force every story into a moral.
Read characters honestly—their faithfulness and failures—and keep God's work central.
Handle difficult passages according to maturity.
The Bible contains material that requires wisdom with children. Read ahead when a passage may require explanation.
Do not use Scripture to make a child remain unsafe.
Teach forgiveness without confusing it with permission for ongoing harm. Teach obedience without giving another person unlimited authority.
Keep Jesus near the center.
If your family is new to Scripture, the Gospels are a beautiful place to begin.
A tiny rhythm for tonight
Read a short passage.
Ask “What did you notice?”
Wonder “What does this show us about God?”
Pray one or two sentences.
Stop. You did it.
Choose a reading for tonight · Bible Story Library · Seven days in Mark