Simply by opening the pages of a good book, we may enjoy places we could never afford to cruise to, explore uncharted lands, and live many experiences vicariously. What book can take us farther than the Bible? It carries us back in history to the very birth of the earth and forward to the magnificent throne of God. It’s a shame to neglect such a marvelous, true adventure. We must make time to share it with our children.

After teaching elementary school for fifteen years, I certainly know the importance of reading to children. Without the pleasure of sitting on someone’s lap and looking on as a story unfolds from the pages, they are less likely to become good readers them selves. As you seek fun, interesting, and edifying material for your child to read, do not forget to encourage time with the best book. The Bible contains adventure, humor, and romance. Written in both prose and poetry, it is a source of history, wisdom, and prophecy. More importantly, the Bible is the very word of God, and we are admonished to “hide it in our hearts” (Psalm 119:11). What better start toward a deep relationship with our Savior could you give your child than reading God’s word with him?

Begin when they’re young

Parents begin “reading” board books with pictures of pets, toys, and shapes when their babies are still crawling. Why not read the excellent Bible story board books that are available as well. For the pre-schooler, children’s Bibles colorfully illustrate simplified stories about Abraham, Moses, Noah, and Jesus. As your child grows, allow her to read stories from an easy-read Bible to you. Occasionally, read the longer version to your young child from a modern translation. I really enjoy the New International Version because it is readily understandable. Keep art supplies available; and encourage your child to illustrate what you’ve read. Send the pictures to Great Aunt Melba or give them away at a nursing home.

When your child is in the second or third grade (earlier if a natural reader), purchase an NIV or other modern translation Bible for him. Take turns reading some of the stories he hears in Sunday School. Let him read some verses. Then you read a few. Stop to discuss the actions of the characters and their relationships to God. If you have several children, you may be able to help them act out a story. They could perform their play for their grandparents or neighborhood friends. In this way, you would be encouraging them to share their faith from an early age.

Connecting with pre-teens

As your child matures, it is often difficult to keep him reading at all, and the Bible could gather dust. Then it is time to leave the well-known stories and dig out adventures fascinating to a fifth grade boy, such as Ehud sinking his knife completely into the evil king and the fat covering the handle. If you have a sixth grade girl, don’t miss the story of Esther preparing for an entire year for the ultimate beauty contest. If you find a few of these “gems”, you may be able to sneak in a few pearls of wisdom such as “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word,” (Psalm 119:9) and “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

Begin teaching your pre-teens to use the concordance and other study helps in their Bibles. You may also wish to purchase a Bible handbook and Bible atlas. These tools can help to bring new life to scripture study by giving a clearer understanding of the times and places where events took place. There are multi-volume sets that look similar to encyclopedias but contain a wealth of information, illustrations, and maps to enhance your comprehension of the Word. They are expensive; but so are the computer games, videos, and even cell phones children receive as gifts. Would you rather invest money in your child’s temporary amusement or the renewing of the mind? (Romans 12:2)

Children learn what they live

If you have made family Bible reading time a habit in your child’s life, the door will open to discuss God’s Word with your teenager. One of the biggest thrills was when my son would bound into the apartment and ask where to find something in the Bible or say, “I know what I believe about this, but I need you to help me look in the concordance and find where the verses are to share it with my friend.” Together we would search the Word for answers to the problems encountered during those tough years between childhood and adulthood. I gave him a True Love Waits Bible for Christmas one year. The study helps and candid articles opened up topics I trembled to tackle. However, talking about purity with him was much easier in the context of scripture discussion.

Reading the Bible with your children, will show them that God’s Word is important to you. “Children learn what they live,” one poem states. Therefore, live reading the Bible with your children; and they will learn to live according to God’s word. Travel through the ages as you turn the pages of the Bible with your child and watch as God makes an eternal difference in not only his life, but yours.