We practice Bible skills at church, but how often do we encourage families to practice Bible skills at home? Invite families to try these suggested activities.
Babies/Toddlers:
- Encourage babies/toddlers to touch the Bible as you share that it is a special book.
- Using your hand to guide their hands, help babies and toddlers to turn the pages of the Bible. As you turn, point out the names of the Bible books or names in the Bible (such as Adam, Eve, God, Jesus, Moses, Peter).
- Tell a brief Bible story.
Preschoolers:
- Write the name of a Bible person on a piece of paper and help preschoolers find a matching name in the Bible.
- Gather toy musical instruments or pots and pans and create a rhythm while you practice saying a Bible verse or phrase of a Bible verse.
- Place a Bible marker in the Bible at a verse (example: 1 John 4:16b). Help your preschooler open to the verse and practice repeating the words or phrase after you (example: God is love).
Younger Kids:
- Name a book of the Bible for younger kids to find in their own Bible. Help them use the table of contents as needed.
- Select a verse and challenge kids to memorize it (examples: Psalm 56:3 or Ephesians 4:32). Find fun and unexpected places to write the verse to help them remember the challenge (on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker, on a notecard taped to the pantry door).
- Help kids develop the habit of daily Bible reading by helping them select a book of the Bible to read a chapter from each day.
Older Kids:
- Guide kids to use a Bible atlas, the maps in the back of a Bible, or a map online to locate important Bible places (Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee).
- Challenge boys and girls to open to a Bible book you name on their first flip or turn.
- Name a Bible book and invite kids to name the book that comes before and the book that comes after.
Tools Church Leaders can Provide:
Weekly interaction is also encouraged through these Explore the Bible Kids items:
- Explore the Bible Preschool Activity Pages are designed to engage preschoolers during group time and continue the learning at home.
- Explore the Bible Family Cards equip parents with discussion questions that relate to each session. Each card includes the memory verse reference and object of the week to help families continue exploring the Bible at home.
- A new resource being delivered through Ministry Grid called Explore the Bible At Home. Churches who purchase digital curriculum get automatic access with their purchase. Churches that purchase print materials still get access to the digital link through our marketing department. This resource gives families everything they need to successfully lead a family devotional time.
Want to learn more about how Bible skills differ as a child matures? This poster and booklet gives an overview that will help.