One of the greatest joys and responsibilities you have as a parent is to teach your child to love God’s Word to build a solid foundation based upon truth. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Help your child discover the importance of God’s Word using these suggestions:

• Choose a Bible: Find a translation that is easy for your child to read and understand. We recommend the New International Version (NIV). First Baptist Arlington provides the New Adventure Bible for each 1st grader at the 1st grade Bible Presentation.
• Model it: You cannot pass to your child something that you don’t have. Schedule a regular time of reading the Bible where your kids can see you.
• Use as a guide: Show your child how the Bible can be used as an everyday guide for life by helping him or her search and learn how to use the Bible. This is a great opportunity especially when your child might be struggling with a particular issue or looking for wisdom on a particular topic.
• Keep it simple: Choose one simple Bible truth or verse and repeat it often such as “God is love.” Be creative: Don’t just read the story; become the Bible character or use games and crafts to engage all five senses in the learning experience.
• Be real: It’s okay to not know the answer to a question your child might have. Use the opportunity to show your child how to search in God’s Word for wisdom. Be authentic by admitting that none of us understand everything. Only God is God and we must learn to trust what He says in the Bible.
• Study it: Show how to study God’s Word using a simple Bible study plan. Teach your child to look at any scripture and ask questions about the passage such as "Who wrote this passage?" "What does this verse teach us?" or "How can I apply this truth in my own life?"
• Find tools: There are many great tools like a kid’s Bible, Bible storybooks, Christian scripture songs, Christian videos and games to make understanding the Bible easier and more fun.
• Pray: Ask God to give your child a love for God’s Word as well as understanding and wisdom as they read and memorize scripture.

Recommended Bible Activities

• Have your child memorize the books of the Bible by writing them in order and/or singing along with the Old and New Testament songs that you might find on the internet. Write verses on index cards to put in your child’s Bible, backpack or lunchbox or tape them to the mirror or refrigerator.
• Write out Bible verses using colorful pens or markers, then cut each word out and mix them up on the floor. Play a game as you put the verse back in order or make into a memory match game.
• Try teaching your child memory verses using sign language or making up your own hand signals.
• Play a memory game by passing a ball or beanbag as each person says the next word in the verse.
• Allow your child to pick a book of the Bible, book or devotional to read with you at breakfast or bedtime.