Kids Bibles and how to read them
Helping Your Kids Encounter God in the Bible
The Bible is central to our journey as disciples of Jesus. It’s not just a history book— it’s the living word of God and the primary way we come to know Him, understand His story, and grow in relationship with Him. That’s why reading the Bible with our children is such a powerful and important habit. We want our kids not only to know the story of the Bible but to meet the God of the Bible — the Word Himself!
2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Here are some practical tips for reading the Bible with your children in a way that’s engaging, meaningful, and spiritually rich:
1. Read It Regularly
Make Bible reading a consistent part of your family rhythm. It doesn’t need to be long or complicated — a few verses at breakfast or a short story at bedtime can go a long way. The goal is to build a habit and a sense of expectation that God speaks when we open His Word.
2. Make It Applicable
Choose age-appropriate Bibles and translations that your children can understand, but don’t wait until they can read or “fully get it” to start. Talk about what you're reading. Ask simple questions:
What does this story tell us about God?
How can we do what Jesus did?
I wonder what being on the ark would have been like (I wonder questions are great ways to explore the Bible and see it come to life.)
Help them connect Scripture to their everyday life — whether it’s learning to be kind, trust God when they’re scared, or see Jesus as their forever friend.
3. Pray Together
Before reading, invite the Holy Spirit to teach you, John 14:26 shows us that the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s truth. After reading the Bible, take a moment to pray — even just a short prayer. Help your kids learn that prayer is simply talking with God like we would a friend. See our article about Chat and Catch for more tips on kids talking to and listening to God.
Encourage your children to pray in their own words. Over time, they'll learn that God is always listening and loves to hear from them. You could pray:
“Thank You, God, that You are always with us, just like You were with Daniel.”
“Help us be kind today like Jesus was.”
Prayer helps move the Bible from information to relationship, building a habit of turning to God in everything.
4. Make It Fun and Imaginative
Bring the stories to life! Act them out with cuddly toys, draw pictures, build scenes with blocks, or use voices for different characters. Emphasize that these aren’t just fairy tales — they’re true stories of God at work, and they’re part of our story too.
5. Let Them See You Loving It
One of the most powerful things you can do is model a love for God's Word yourself. Let your kids see you reading the Bible. Talk about what you're learning. Share your own questions and prayers. Let them see that it’s not just something for Sunday or for kids — it’s life-giving for you, too.
6. Teach the Big Picture
Help your children see that the Bible is one big story — from Genesis to Revelation — about God’s plan to rescue and redeem. It all points to Jesus. Teach them how each story fits into that grand narrative, not just as isolated events but as part of a bigger picture of God's love and faithfulness. Check out our Bible recommendation below for a Bible that helps you see how it all points to Jesus.
7. Use Great Resources
A few resources we love and recommend:
The Jesus Storybook Bible (ages 4–9): This beautifully written and illustrated Bible connects every story to Jesus, helping children understand the big picture of redemption. It even brings fresh insight for adults!
Saddleback Kids Bible Videos (YouTube): Simple, engaging visual retellings of Bible stories that are great conversation starters.
Slugs & Bugs Music and Stories: Fun, Scripture-based songs and stories that help kids remember biblical truths in a joyful, musical way.
Bible App for Kids: An interactive app for young children to explore Bible stories with animations, games, and simple narration.
Even before your child can read, you can begin telling them about Jesus, singing songs, and filling their hearts and minds with God’s love and truth and building in the habit of scripture. The earlier we plant the seeds, the deeper the roots can grow.
Final Thought:
Bible reading with kids isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about faithfulness. Trust that the Holy Spirit is at work as you open the Bible together. Little by little, story by story, God is shaping their hearts and yours.