Teaching Children to Read the Bible

Following up on Wednesday’s post about devotions for middle school children, here is a priceless suggestion from pastor and homiletics professor Mike Bullmore, on how to teach your children to read the Bible.

When each of his children turn eight, Mike buys them a journal. A nice one. Then he tells them, “Tomorrow, we are going to have devotions together and do something that I hope lasts the rest of your life.” The next morning, he has the child begin reading a chapter a day in the Bible, starting in one of the gospels.

To help them meditate on what they’ve read, Mike has them write two simple sentences in their journal. One begins with the word “God” and one starts with the word “I.” Each day, Mike reads what his children wrote, a practice which gives him a unique window into their soul.

Once his children fill up their journal, they go on a special date with Daddy to buy a new one.

What a wonderful way to make a memory with children, as well as instill in them a love for Scripture at an early age! I can’t wait until we can do this with Andrew. In the meantime, I might borrow Mike’s journaling idea for my own quiet times!