Many people set a goal to read through the Bible each year, but that resolution gets sidelined somewhere in Leviticus when they get so far behind it seems impossible to catch up on their reading plan. If it’s so hard for adults to read the Bible cover-to-cover, how can we expect children to do it?
It’s certainly possible. We all know families who have regular, focused devotions with their children. But for a lot of us, the practice of regular family devotions is frustrating, disappointing, and makes us feel like failures as our children’s first spiritual teachers.
RELATED: From Obligation to Delight: Creating Meaningful Devotional Times with Your Kids
If you’re new to carving out devotional time with your kids, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up some resources to help you and your kids read through the Bible this year, with tools that will instill a love of God’s Word in your children and keep them engaged from start to finish.
Disclaimer #1: Before you choose a resource to implement, do your research to make sure the content fits with your family’s theology. These programs are not fully vetted or endorsed by AllMomDoes.
Disclaimer #2: Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through the links in this article, I receive a commission.
1. The Jesus Storybook Bible. This is the “light” version of reading through the Bible, but it’s easily understood by kids, story-based and interesting, and achievable for busy families. There are 44 beautifully illustrated stories (that’s one a week with lots of room for grace if you miss a week here and there) that walk your child through the Bible beginning to end – and each one points to Jesus and explains how he fits into the overall narrative. It’s a great tool for introducing children to the big picture of God’s word before they get mired by the details that – let’s face it – can even be confusing for grown-ups.
2. Read a Children’s Bible. We recommended the Jesus Storybook Bible above, but if you have another story-based bible already laying around the house, there’s no need to buy something new. Stop feeling like you need to have an in-depth word-for-word reading with your children in order to make a difference in their spiritual lives. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Use what you have and just get started. As your children grow they will have plenty of opportunities to do a more formal reading program.
3. Laugh & Learn Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories. By the creator of VeggieTales, this engaging book will give you weekly devotions for a full year. It even tackles tough questions kids ask like, “What is sin?” and “What is the Trinity?”
4. Bible App for Kids. This free app has 44 interactive audio stories that walk you and your child through the Bible. It displays still cartoon images along with the words that are read aloud so it’s like someone is reading a story to your child!
5. Foundations for Kids: A 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Kids. Is your child ready for a little more meat? Then this study designed for 4-to-12-year-olds may be just what you need. An easy-to-read format accompanied by activities to help build your child’s long-term biblical study habits, it’s intended as a 5-day-per-week program so there’s wiggle room to catch up compared to some of the 365-day programs available. There are 2 scripture-reading levels in each lesson – one intended for the younger reader and one for the more advanced. Pssst…there’s a similar program for teens and another for busy believers.
6. Audio Bibles. Would you rather listen to the Bible together than read it? Then find a one-year audio Bible reading plan. A couple to check out are One Year Bible Online Audio (with commentary) or the Daily Audio Bible. These are 365-day programs for those of you looking for a daily devotional option!
7. Read the Book! You don’t really need a fancy reading program in order to read through the Bible with your kids. You can really just commit to reading four chapters a day. Or you can find any number of prescribed programs (chronological, topical, programs with New Testament interspersed etc.) that will help you read through your Bible in a year, and you can simply do it with your children. The Bible App has thousands of options within it that make it easy – one such option is The Bible Recap which combines explanative and contextual videos from The Bible Project, passages for self-directed reading, and a daily podcast about the day’s reading for a complete study experience. Note: The Bible has many passages that contain mature themes. As a parent, determine your level of comfort in exposing your child to this content when choosing to read through the full version of the Bible.
Remember, the new year is arbitrary. You can start reading the Bible with your kids at any time of the year. The important thing is to choose a frequency that works with your family and content that is right for your child’s age. STOP overthinking it and just START! Both you and your kids will grow – no matter what type of program you choose.
Tell us about your family’s devotions. What’s your favorite resource for reading through the Bible with your kids?
