TEACH CHILDREN TO STUDY THE BIBLE
Studying the Bible is a trait that will benefit children their
entire lives. Reading scripture is one of the greatest desires we
can instill in our children - our own and those in our church.
How to teach children to study God's Word:
- Model it. Passionately, enthusiastically, and practically -
make the Bible part of who you are. Carry it with you,
memorize it, consult it often, and let your students know
that you are obedient to it.
- Use the Bible. Keep your Bible in your hands or nearby
throughout the lesson. Let the children see you referring to
it as you tell the story. Read verses from the Bible, not
from the teacher's guide. Let the Bible be the ultimate
authority in your class.
- Make Scripture interesting. Use teaching techniques such as
drama and role-play to bring the past into the present.
Explain unusual Bible customs, serve Bible-time food, and
explain and enjoy the imagery of Bible poetry.
- Get children to dig in and find answers for themselves. It
probably never will occur to children to read the Bible
unless they are introduced to reading it. Whenever possible,
have children look up passages themselves. Make sure they
understand how the Bible is organized - that 66 smaller books
make up the Bible. Make sure they know what chapter and verse
numbers mean. Then help them understand what the Bible is
saying to them. Teach them how God's Word applies to their
lives.
- Teach that God's Word is important and eternal. Children
won't know that God's Word is more important than any other
book unless you tell them. Treat the Bible with respect.
Explain that the Bible is true and that it will last forever.
Help children understand that the Bible tells how God has
worked through history to bring people into relationship with
Him.
- Encourage children to read the Bible on their own. Do
everything you can to ensure that every child has an
age-appropriate Bible at home. Explain that it's important to
know what God says. You might want to give children fun,
easy, and nonthreatening "homework" assignments that require
them to look in their Bibles.
Reprinted by permission from Quick Relief For Sunday
School Teachers. Copyright (c) 1998 by Group
Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO
80539, 1-800-447-1070.