Helping Your Child Love Scripture: Practical Ways to Cultivate a Lifelong Habit of Bible Reading

Helping children develop a love for Scripture is one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer. The Bible provides guidance, comfort, and a clear picture of God’s character. Yet many parents feel unsure about how to encourage their child to read it regularly. The good news is that the process does not have to feel overwhelming. With patience, age-appropriate tools, and consistent modeling, you can help your child grow in curiosity and delight as they engage God’s Word.

Start with Age-Appropriate Bibles
Children need Scripture presented in a format they can understand. Young children often connect best with a storybook Bible that shows God’s history in the world and introduces Jesus in accessible ways. Elementary aged readers may benefit from a simple translation such as the NIrV or CSB, while older children may be ready for the ESV, NLT, or NIV. The key is clarity. When Scripture is understandable, children are more likely to return to it on their own.

Build a Routine that Feels Natural
Children thrive on rhythm. Help them associate Bible reading with a daily moment. This could be a short reading after breakfast, reading a Psalm before bed, or exploring a Bible story during family worship once a week. Keep expectations realistic at first. Five minutes a day can be incredibly formative. Small, consistent habits often grow into long term spiritual disciplines.

Read Together and Talk About It
Shared reading is one of the most powerful ways to form a child spiritually. Choose a passage, read it out loud, and ask simple questions. What stood out? What does this story teach us about God? How should we live now that we understand the verses we read? You do not need to be a Bible scholar. Your willingness to explore Scripture alongside your child is what matters most.

Model Your Own Love for Scripture
Children notice what their parents value. Let your child see you reading the Bible. Mention something meaningful from your personal reading. Express your own questions and moments of discovery. When Scripture is part of your daily life, it becomes natural for your child to see it as worthy of their attention too.

Engage with Creative Tools
Children often connect with the Bible when they can interact with it creatively. Consider journaling Bibles for kids, simple devotionals, audio Bibles, dramatized Bible stories, Scripture memory songs, or Bible apps designed for children. These resources allow kids to experience Scripture in ways that feel fun and inviting.

Connect Scripture to Real Life
Help your child see how the Bible speaks into everyday experiences. If they are worried, read a Psalm of comfort. If they feel left out, talk about Jesus’ compassion for those on the margins. If they have a conflict with a sibling, explore passages about forgiveness. Scripture becomes meaningful when it speaks into the moments that matter most.

Be Patient and Prayerful
Spiritual growth takes time. Some children will gravitate toward Scripture immediately. Others may need gentle encouragement over the years. Pray regularly that God will draw your child to His Word. Your job is not to force passion but to cultivate an environment where spiritual curiosity can flourish.

Recommended Resources for Parents
Bible Translations for Children
· NIrV (New International Reader’s Version)
· CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
· NIV (New International Version)
· NLT (New Living Translation)
· ESV (English Standard Version)

Children’s Bibles
· The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm: Presents Scripture as one unified story centered on Christ as the promised forever King who brings blessing through his death and resurrection. Emphasizes sin, judgment, repentance, and following Jesus as King, not merely vague “God loves you” themes.

· The Beginner’s Bible by Zondervan: Simple, accessible retellings with a large number of stories (90+), giving relatively broad coverage of the biblical narrative. Art and language are age-appropriate and generally reverent without heavy sentimentalism or speculative additions.

· ESV Children’s / Kid’s Bibles (e.g., ESV Kid’s Thinline, ESV Seek and Find Bible): Full-text Bibles in a conservative, essentially literal translation, often recommended by conservative evangelical churches as a child’s first “real Bible” with age-appropriate helps and illustrations.

Devotionals and Parent Guides
· Long Story Short by Marty Machowski: Walks families through the Old Testament in 10-minute devotions, consistently pointing to Christ and the gospel.

· Old Story New by Marty Machowski: Companion volume to Long Story Short, covering the New Testament with the same 10-minute format and gospel-centered approach.

· Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids by Louie Giglio: Devotional that connects science (space, animals, nature) with biblical truths about God as Creator and Designer. Affirms God as the intentional Creator and uses creation to stir worship and trust in God’s character and purposes.

· Foundations 52 Week Family Discipleship Plan by Robby and Kandi Gallaty: Clear structure (weekly plan) that can help families build sustainable discipleship habits aligned with local-church discipleship models. Stresses growth in the Word, obedience, and community, consistent with conservative evangelical discipleship priorities.

Articles and Further Reading
· Focus on the Family: Helping Kids Understand the Bible

· The Gospel Coalition: How to Read the Bible with Your Kids

· Crossway: Tips for Family Bible Reading