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How to Help our Kids Love God’s Word

My oldest daughter turns 10 this year.

Ten is a sobering age! Double digits. Pre-teen. More than halfway on the journey of launching her into adulthood.

Ten is basically the “middle age” of childhood!

As we approach this milestone birthday and reflect on the past ten years of parenting, I find myself reflecting on this question :: What do I want for my kids in life? What is that really matters?

While I want my kids to be happy and healthy, more than anything else, my heart longs for them to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, the One He sent as the savior of the world (John 17:3). Everything else is worthless compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:8)!

But how do we get there? How do we help our kids know God and Jesus our Savior?

How to Help our Kids Love God's Word

While there are many facets to this question, one place we can start is with the Scriptures. Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ” (NLT).

Is the good news about Christ evident in our homes?

Do we read about it together in God’s Word?

Do our kids experience it in our parenting?

See it in our actions?

Hear it  in our words?

Feel it in our relationships?

For today, let’s just start with the first question.

Do our kids read about the Good News of Jesus in the Bible? Are we reading the Scriptures as a family? Do our kids read the Scriptures on their own? Do we?

Psalm 1 paints a picture of a blessed life — a life approved by God. Do you know what kind of people receive that kind of life? Verse 2 tells us :: “They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (NLT).

Delighting in the law of the Lord doesn’t always come naturally. It is a love that must be cultivated and nurtured, and we have the opportunity as parents to help nurture this love in our kids from a young age!

How do we help our kids delight  in the Bible?

Well let me tell you, they won’t always delight in God’s Word in the way we might think. When choosing between playing and reading the Bible, nine times out of ten, our kids (and us!) will choose playing. That’s not exactly the type of delight to which I’m referring.

In this verse, the Hebrew word “delight” refers to an inclination, a strong desire, or even pleasure, and implies that the bent of a person’s life is to God’s Word. Do our lives bend in accordance with the Scriptures?

Before we can expect our kids to delight in God’s Word, before their lives will bend in accordance with the Scriptures, they must know the Scriptures!

The world can be a confusing place. Voices (both literal and figurative) shout at us from every direction, and our kids face questions, temptations, disappointments, and struggles. With so many choices to make and directions to take, our kids need the truth of God’s Word to guide them, to “light the way” (Psalm 119:105) as they walk the path of life.

So today as a very basic first step, let’s start with some verses to memorize to help us nurture in us and our kids a respect and desire for God’s Word.

10 Scripture Passages about God’s Word to Memorize as a Family

1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2. Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

3. Psalm 1:1-3

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

4. Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

6. 2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

7. Psalm 19:7-11

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold even the finest gold.They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

8. James 1:22-25  

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Psalm 119:97-103

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

10. Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Model It ::

When was the last time you memorized a passage of Scripture? For those of you who memorize verses somewhat regularly, when was the last time you asked for your kids help in memorizing?

In my current Bible study, I struggled with one of our weekly Bible passages we had all committed to memorizing. As I struggled through reciting the verses, one of my friends suggested having my kids quiz me throughout the week. Let me tell you, that has been a genius idea! Not only am I memorizing the verses more completely and confidently, my kids want to memorize their own verses, too! Try it this week!

As we begin to memorize Bible verses, renew our minds with Scripture, and choose to walk in obedience to God’s Word, may our delight and fruitfulness grow!

Growing with you,

Erika

A Few Extra Resources as you cultivate in your family a love for God’s Word ::

 

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