How to Encourage Kids to Read the Bible (Free Printable Tracker)
Learn how you can encourage your kids to read the Bible every day with this free Bible reading tracker printable!
Reading the Bible can be hard. If you came here for tips to help your kids read the Bible, you might be surprised to read those words.
Our enemy, Satan, knows that we receive strength, hope, and encouragement through God’s Word, so he does his best to keep us from reading it. And that’s true for children, too.
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But it’s possible that we’ve made Bible reading seem a bit more difficult than it actually is. And it’s also possible we haven’t fully explained how vital daily Bible reading is to our kids.
Using a Bible reading tracker is a great way to help your kids (and you!) build a new habit of Bible reading every day.
Enter your info to get your free Bible reading tracker printable!
Can Kids Read the Bible for Themselves?
This year in our homeschool, I wanted to focus more on Bible reading. Both of my boys are reading short passages each day.
They only need to read a few verses, so it’s not overwhelming. But it’s a great way to get them familiar with the Word of God while they are young.
My youngest is only seven, and I wondered if he would struggle with some of the bigger words. His assignment on the first day of school was to read John 1:1-10.
He started out with the same attitude most kids would have: I can’t do it.
But as he started, he realized the words were the same ones he already knew how to read!
Pretty soon, he was reading those Bible verses like a pro!
Kids will do what you tell them they can do.
With a little encouragement, they are able to read the Bible themselves.
However, it’s okay to be a little choosy about the parts of the Bible you give them to read.
For instance, there are some difficult chapters in the Old Testament. Some of those long lists of names are hard for adults to read.
Not to mention, life back then was often brutal, and it’s sometimes difficult to understand the lifestyles they lived. And let’s not even talk about the Song of Solomon!
Instead, direct kids to easier chapters to read and understand. I recommend the Gospels, particularly John. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are also beautiful for children.
As they get older, introduce them to more and more of the Bible as they are able to read and understand it.
7 Tips to Help Kids Read the Bible
If you’re struggling to get your kids interested in reading the Bible, these tips will help you encourage them to get started–and keep going!
Lead by Example.
Do you have a daily Bible-reading habit? If not, you should!
Let your kids see you read your Bible. But more importantly, let them see that reading the Bible matters to you.
Kids will copy what they see you do, so the best way to get them to read the Bible is to do it in front of them.
Read Together.
The Bible is not meant to be kept a secret. It’s a special book that is meant to be treasured and shared.
If your kids are especially young, have them do their daily readings out loud. This way, you can make sure they’re reading correctly, and also you can help them understand anything the hard stuff.
Don’t Start at the Beginning.
Genesis 1 is a wonderful first book of the Bible. But it may not be the best place for a younger child to start reading.
Reading the entire Bible is an important part of growing your faith, but a younger child may struggle with some of the words and ideas presented there. It’s okay (and probably best) to start with an easier book.
Enter your info to get your free Bible reading tracker printable!
Follow a Bible Reading Plan.
It’s so much more fun and satisfying to achieve a goal if you have a plan you can follow. Using a printable Bible reading plan is a great way to help kids set long-term goals.
Reading all the books of the Bible can take a long time. So, help kids make more manageable goals that fit their age group.
A Bible reading challenge is a great way to help kids get started.
Here are a few challenge ideas:
- Read the New Testament
- Read Psalms and Proverbs in 30 days
- Choose a specific book to read and study
- Read the whole Bible in a year
- Read every day for 30 days (or 90 or 100!)
Related: 3 Helpful Tips to Read the Bible for Beginners (+free printable plans)
Listen to an Audio Bible.
Using an audio Bible is a great way to get the whole family involved in daily Bible reading. It’s also great for people who struggle to pronounce those long names!
I love using the Dwell Bible app. I like to follow along in my Bible while listening to Christopher read to me while soft guitar music plays in the background.
It’s the perfect online Bible to use for all kinds of Bible reading plans.
Remember, It’s Not a Race.
It’s easy to get caught up in a contest to see who can read the most or the fastest. But reading the Bible is not a race!
When it comes to daily Bible reading, quality is better than quantity. All of the Bible is quality reading, of course.
Bur reading 10 chapters doesn’t matter a bit if kids don’t learn or understand what they read.
God’s Word is powerful and able to change our lives–and He doesn’t need us to read a certain number of chapters or for many hours.
Every little bit of Scripture that we take into our hearts and minds makes a difference. And it’s true for our kids, too.
Use a Bible Reading Tracker Printable
Make your kids’ Bible time fun and educational by using The Flourishing Mama Bible reading trackers! These free printable Bible reading checklists are perfect for kids and families, whether you’re reading the whole Bible, a few verses each day, or challenging yourself to read 100 chapters!
What is the Best Bible Version for Kids?
There are so many versions of the Bible on the market today. Some of them are written and marketed specifically for kids.
But kids do not need a watered-down version of the Gospel! The Bible is written for all of us, and there’s no age limit on reading and understanding God’s Word.
The King James Bible is the best Bible translation for people of all ages. It’s full of rich, beautiful language and adds to your children’s vocabulary. It’s my favorite Bible and the only one I use and read in my family.
Yes, my seven-year-old son can read the King James Bible himself–Old English and all!
Put It Into Action
Your kids can start reading the Bible today! The earlier the better.
It’s really easy to get started.
Enter your info to get your free Bible reading tracker printable!
Download Your Printable Bible Reading Trackers.
Our kids’ Bible reading logs are so much fun, and make Bible reading both challenging and rewarding! They’re great for your own personal use, as a part of your homeschool plans or as a resource for your family devotions.
Keep track of your Bible reading, plus, challenge yourself to dig deeper into God’s Word daily.
Start Reading.
Don’t put it off anymore. Just open God’s Word and get started. Reading the Bible is one of the most important things you can do with your family.
There are many different ways to go about it, but the method doesn’t matter.
All that matters is that you’re doing it.
That’s it. Two simple steps to make Bible reading a part of your kids’ lives every day!
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