It’s almost too obvious, right?  But, for some reason, we think they aren’t ready.  They are ready.   We can find the right version and we can start as soon as they start interacting with books.  We can read them the truth of creation, the truth of everything….. the Bible.

We know that starting to read early to our kids is important and helps them understand the world.  What we read to them matters as well. Content matters.

Jesus tells us as adults to have a child-like faith.  As we teach them, we are reminding ourselves.  He tells us, “Let the children come to me”: 

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18; 15-17, NIV).

Jesus still desires that we lead our children to Him.  An important part of this is reading with them and sharing stories from the Bible, from the very start. There are simple things we can do to point our littles to the Lord:

• Marvel at creation and point the Creator, the Master Scientist!  When we’re outside, point to the design we observe all around us.  Give words to the science and the Scientist Himself.  Point out the unique design of every living thing, the birds, the trees and flowers, the pinecones and leaves, the sun, moon and stars!
• Sing songs that teach stories from the Bible.  We can sing while we’re preparing dinner, out for a walk, or riding in the car.  Music can speak to the heart and we want to guard these precious young hearts and minds.
• Read Bible stories that are age appropriate and help them understand God’s love for them.  This can be a nightly routine where we read a simple Bible story with pictures each evening at bedtime.
• Model simple prayers.  The act of prayer alone invites the Holy Spirit into your child’s heart and mind. We are created in the image of God, and there is a longing in each of us for Him.    Give thanks and ask for blessings upon others, a simple start to the most meaningful conversations our children can ever have.

We read through a story Bible with our littles with the intention of teaching them about who God is and that they are loved by Him, created for a purpose.   This time of reading together also teaches us, reminds us, and challenges us.  Beautiful, honest and challenging questions may arise and that’s good.  As we  Book Time with Our Kids, let’s be sure to use the best- selling book of all time, the best book, the Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ...

Gold & Honey Bible by Melody Carlson

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally-Lloyd Jones

God’s Big Picture Bible Storybook by NT Wright

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