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The Word of God tell us to
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6
Do you want to have a family Bible study but don't know where to start? There are many ways to have family Bible study and make it both impactful and fun. Here is a plan to help you get going:
How to Have a Family Bible Study
Choose the Scripture you'll study
- This can be a chapter, a verse, or even just a few lines.
- You can make a plan to study an entire book of the Bible over a month.
- You can choose something topical that your family is interested in and research what the Bible says about that topic.
- Or, choose a family devotional or kids' devotional (or kids' devotional Bible).
Prepare for the study
Read the Scripture carefully and take some time to think about what it means to you, personally. Take notes and ask the Holy Spirit to share with you His thoughts and direction. (Pro tip: you can look up commentaries online by checking Bible Gateway and BG+. This is a must if you love digging into the Bible!)
Gather your family
Who's invited? It depends on what you're studying! For Family Bible study, obviously grab your spouse if you're married and the kids. But, if you're going into deeper depth on something topical, maybe it's just the teenagers or just the little ones.
Most people like to gather around the table with snacks and drinks. But, the truth is that opportunities abound when it comes to where you'll do a family Bible study.
You can:
- Find a quiet place at home where you can all sit comfortably and focus on the study.
- Go to a coffee shop when it's not rush hour.
- Get out in nature! Take a walk. Go for a hike. Go for a picnic and study there.
I grew up having Family Bible study after dinner out in the back garden. We also went down to the beach and boogie boarded in the waves until we were all wiped out. Afterwards was a perfect time for my parents to pull out their Bibles. We were a rapt audience.
Read the Bible aloud
Encourage the kids to read selections. Even if they're not fantastic readers, everyone can share in the reading. A friend of mine uses The Action Bible with her pre-teen boys because they love it!
Ask questions
Encourage questions! In Family Bible study, there's no such thing as a stupid question! Encouraging everyone to ask whatever is on their mind is a great way to learn more about God's Word. Some questions my kids have asked include:
- How many brothers and sisters did Cain and Abel have? (The Bible isn't definitive, but genetic scientists have suggested possibly 28!)
- How many sisters did Jesus have? (He had four brothers and at least two sisters. He may have had even more!)
- Where was the Garden of Eden? (Scripture isn't specific except to mention four rivers — Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. Many theology scholars suggest modern-day Iraq and Iran at the head of the Persian Gulf.)
Discuss the Scripture
Share your thoughts and insights. Give everyone a chance to share what they think and what the verses or chapters mean to them.
Play a game
- Memorize the Books of the Bible by tossing a ball back and forth while listing the books in order.
- Play a game of Bible charades.
- Grab a pad of paper and pencils and play Bible Hangman.
- For teens: Bible Pictionary
Pray together
Finish up by praying together. Pray for each person and let each one pray. Ask for specific requests. And, be sure to ask God to help you to understand His Word and to apply it to your daily lives.
Make Family Bible Study Fun!
- Be flexible. You don't have to stick to a rigid schedule to have a good study. If your kids are having trouble focusing, take a break and come back to it later.
- Be patient. It takes time to build a habit of family Bible study. Don't get discouraged if your family doesn't get it right away. Just keep at it, and eventually it will become a part of your family's routine.
- If teaching a study isn't your forte, watch a video Bible study with your Study Gateway subscription. (It's like Netflix for Bible studies. Trust me, you'll love it!)
- For the little ones, there are plenty of free Bible coloring pages online to help them stay settled while everyone learns.
I hope these tips help you to have a successful family Bible study!
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words that I give you today. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. — Deuteronomy 6:5-9
RESOURCES
3 Keys to Cultivating Consistent Family Bible Study Time
6 Facts you need to know when you read the Bible
6 Bible Study Methods You Need to Know
Free Bible Commentaries, Dictionaries, and Encyclopedia for You to Consult on Bible Gateway
Watch Kids Shows for Church at Home
