3 Ways Children’s Bibles Impact Families + Bible Reading Tips for Parents

All the benefits of giving kids age-appropriate Bibles—plus, reading tips you can give to parents to help them encourage their children to read the Bible.

3 Ways Children’s Bibles Impact Families

We love the Bible, and there’s nothing more special than having your very own copy—especially as a child. Here’s why giving the children in your ministry their own Bible is one of the most valuable and impactful things you can do—for them and their families.

Bibles represent a key faith milestone.

Most kids who are given a Bible as part of a faith ceremony keep the Bible into adulthood and remember the importance attached to receiving it. The first Bible ceremony marks an important step in their faith journey, and it’s also a time families are especially open to and excited about church.

Families who read the Bible together benefit.

Family time spent reading the Bible together creates a bonding experience and can lead to regular, impactful faith discussions. Family reading time offers long-lasting benefits from an educational, emotional, and faith-based standpoint. Multiple sources of research indicate that family reading time:

• Helps initiate important dialogue between children and parents.
• Instills a love of books and reading in kids.
• Encourages kids’ school readiness and educational outlook.

Great children’s Bibles offer an opportunity for families to explore events of the Bible together, talk about the people and principles involved, dig into God’s plan, and get an idea of what people experienced and how it applies today. Kids’ Bibles also provide a solid resource for parents who may feel less than confident about leading their children spiritually.

Kids’ Bibles are more accessible to children.

High-quality illustrations and age-appropriate language are beneficial for young and emerging readers because they build language skills, increase reader engagement, and help children think visually. So look for images and words that accurately represent the Bible, including ethnicities, locations, events, and other representations.

Great illustrations and age-appropriate language do the following:

• Make reading more fun. Pictures engage kids’ curiosity and imagination, while accessible language lets them focus more on meaning.
• Add deeper layers of comprehension. Illustrations help children better grasp the written content, especially if words or concepts are challenging to understand. An image can convey meaning that dramatically increases a child’s comprehension.
• Increase kids’ engagement. Age-appropriate illustrations and words let kids better “see” what’s happening to the people they’re reading about.

Share These Tips With Parents for Reading the Bible With Their Children

1. Set a reading routine, whether it’s before bedtime, after dinner, or in the morning. Routine encourages kids to anticipate your reading time together.
2. Read in a comfy spot. The more comfortable you are, the more you can focus on what you’re reading.
3. Don’t rush. Read the words with emphasis and excitement. Be dramatic. If you’re bored or hurrying, your kids will feel it.
4. Explain difficult-to-understand words or concepts. You’ll increase your child’s comprehension and engagement.
5. Spend time looking at illustrations. Point out what’s happening. Talk about how the people look, what they’re doing, and how life looks different for them.
6. Let your child ask questions. If you don’t know the answer, say, “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.” Then follow through.
7. Find the feelings in the passage. Laugh together. If a passage is sad, talk about what the people experienced and how they felt. Ask your child to explain how he or she feels about what happened in the passage.
8. Pray together. After you read, ask God to help you learn from and remember the Bible passage.
9. Demonstrate respect for the Bible. Use a bookmark to keep your place; resist the temptation to fold down pages. Store the Bible on a bookshelf or in a special place rather than simply tossing it on the floor. Show your child how you respect God’s Word.
10. Talk about what the Bible is. As you continue reading together, emphasize to your child that the Bible is God’s Word and his special book. Remind your child that God gave the Bible to us so we could understand his love for us.