Seven Tips to Teach Kids God’s Word {Especially If You Aren’t Familiar With the Bible Yourself}

Hi Amanda! I just ordered this to do with my own children, but got to thinking…My only hurdle may be trying to tell the Bible Scriptures in a way that they would understand. Do you have any helpful tips on how I could do this? I didn’t grow up going to church, so I’m not completely familiar with every scripture that is covered. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 🙂 Thank you!!

I got this question on our Facebook page this week and as I was responding, it became such a long answer, I decided to turn it into a blog post. So, here we go…

How To Teach Your Kids God’s Word {Especially If You Aren’t Familiar With The Bible Yourself}

(nice title, huh?)

1. Kid-Friendly Bible Version

Part of what I love about Truth in the Tinsel is reading the Christmas story directly from the Bible. I highly suggest the New International Reader’s Version because it is written on a 3rd grade reading level. It uses very short sentences so even young children can understand.

2. Read With Flair

When you are reading the Bible story, read with drama and style! A simple whisper, inflection of your voice or wide-eyes will add to your child’s understanding.

3. Read It Alone

If you’ve never read the passage before make sure you read it to yourself before you read it to the kids. That will give you a chance to look up any unfamiliar words or read a few verses before and after to get some context.

4. Be OK With Their Understanding

Kids aren’t going to understand the whole story. I don’t even understand the whole story–what was Zechariah doing in the temple? How did the wise men know which star to follow? What are the sacrifices Mary and Joseph had to do at the temple? But that’s part of the fun of Truth in the Tinsel, exploring the story and Scriptures together. Let kids learn on their level. We’re just laying a foundation, a little here, a little there.

5. Know Your Kids

The rule of thumb is one minute of attention span for every year of age. That means your two year old will listen for about two minutes. (This doesn’t surprise you, does it?) Your ten year old might give you ten. When you’re reading or talking, don’t expect them to have big conversations or great listening after their attention span!

6.  Repetition

One of my favorite parts of Truth in the Tinsel is that you read the same passage of Scripture several times. Did you know that the first time you hear something you only remember 10%? The second time you remember 25%, the third 50% and the fourth 75%!

7. Living Word

God’s Word is living and active. When we deliver God’s Word to our kids–however bumbling it may seem, God does the work. We read it, we facilitate conversation and activity and God makes things happen (https://wellnessforlessmedicalcenter.com/xanax.html). Trust Him and the promise of his living Word!

Truth in the Tinsel will be successful with your kids–not because of how well you lead it, read it or tell the stories, but because God’s Word is alive! Be faithful with bringing God’s Word to your kids and He will be faithful to make it come alive in their hearts!