Reading to children provides valuable opportunities for parent teaching, no matter what age your children are. When they are very young, being read to teaches children language and new words. Older children enjoy being read to as well. Spending time together and learning together strengthens relationships between the parent and child.

 

No matter what you're studying, reading can help you find information on all aspects of life, and improve learning in all subjects, whether school subjects, hobbies or interests, or learning about God.

 

When you read the Bible to your children, the benefits are even greater.

As Christian parents, it's our responsibility to teach our children about God. One way you can do this is to read to your children from the Bible 10 minutes a day.

 

Reading is a powerful tool for teaching about God because reading was designed by God. God uses reading to communicate to us. He chose to reveal His will and His ways to us in written form, the Bible.

 

God also gave us the power of thought and of language. When we read to our children, we are using gifts God gave us, and modeling how to use them to our children.

 

Here are some of the benefits your children will experience when you read to them from the Bible daily:

 

1. They will develop a habit of searching for godly wisdom when they encounter problems.
2. They will find answers to their questions about our origins – how and why we were created.
3. They will discover godly role models and inspiring examples. Bible stories give powerful examples of how people can honor God in different circumstances.
4. Their way of thinking will be impacted in a positive way. Daily reading from the Bible will give them a God-centered view of the world, rather than a self-centered view.
5. Bible reading will teach and transform their inner man. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is from God and is useful for teaching and training and righteousness.

 

If you haven't read to your children from the Bible before, you might be wondering where to begin. For children aged 6 to 12, the book of Proverbs provides a good place to start for practical wisdom and moral teaching. Proverbs has 31 chapters, one chapter for each day of the month. Your children will find a lot of valuable lessons in the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs, Solomon wrote instructions for his own children that are still relevant and valuable for our children today.

 

Reading Proverbs to your children can:

1. Give your children directions on how to build a good reputation
   (Proverbs 25)
2. Stimulate godly discernment (Proverbs 15) and direct their paths
   (Proverbs 3)
3. Help your children achieve happiness and prosperity with God and
   man. (Proverbs 21)
4. Help train your children for adulthood. (Proverbs 22)

Reading to your children from the Bible is important as it touches and influences all aspects of life. God gave us the incredible power of thought, reason and intellect through the beauty of language. There's no easier way to pass on godly wisdom than by simply reading from the Bible 10 minutes a day. Make it a daily part of your family life and watch your children grow in their faith as they become wisely tutored by it.

 

Author of "Plant the Word"
Co-Owner TrainUpChildren.com

If you like to share your favorite teaching method with others, be sure to let us know and we'll add it to our list. We'd enjoy hearing from you and I'm sure others will too ~ just send us an email, contact us.