God is revealed in the Bible. Therefore, we grow in knowledge of God by spending time in the pages of Scripture. When our grandchildren read the Bible, space is created for them to encounter God and experience life transformation. In the pages of God’s Word, they are also provided with a measuring stick for how to live.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16a
Many of our grandchildren are exposed to the Bible through Sunday School lessons taught by their teachers, videos, podcasts, attendance at Bible clubs, or even through a quick surface reading. But exposure to the text, reading the text, and engaging with the text are not the same thing. In fact, there’s a huge difference between exposure and understanding.
Teaching our grandchildren about God’s Word early in life is important. But teaching them to read it for understanding, to engage with it; that is paramount. That skill will provide a firm foundation and instill wisdom in them for the years ahead.
Now, before you balk at the thought. Please let me reassure you. Children can study the Bible.
Yes, Bible studies for children do exist, and there is nothing wrong with a good topical study from time to time.
However, Bible studies should not be our only tool in the work of discipling. Remember, children can study the Bible, and their ability to study it on their own is critical for understanding and the forming of a solid foundation.
The Discipling Work
As Christians, the desire of our heart is to help our grandchildren grow to know, love, and serve our Lord. Therefore, just as we want them to know how to pray, we want them to learn to read the Bible. And here many of us are faced once again with such difficulties as not knowing where to begin or finding the thought of the task quite overwhelming. After all, the Bible is a book like no other. It is big and powerful and complex. Truth be told, it’s enough to scare off many adults. Yet, it is quite possible to discover ways of helping our grandchildren learn to read and study the Bible for themselves.
Once again just as with prayer, please know that there are no guarantees or easy formulas. We are each created uniquely. Our grandchildren’s learning styles and preferences are all different and come into play. As well, it is imperative we remember that reading the Bible for growth and transformation is Holy Spirit work, and the Holy Spirit’s working does not fit into a well-defined, predictable box.
These things are important to keep in mind but do not in any way negate the task we have been assigned. We grandparents have been given a work to do – making disciples of our grandchildren. As you carry out your assignment, I pray you will find some of the following ideas helpful in discipling your grandchildren in Bible reading.
5 Helpful Ideas for Discipling Grandchildren in Bible Reading
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Teach your grandchildren to hear the words of the Bible as spoken directly to them.
- Give your grandchild a double-spaced printout of a Bible passage. (If your grandchild is old enough to write, you might choose to have them copy the passage for themselves instead.)
- Read through the passage with your grandchild. (Perhaps each of you taking a turn to read.)
- Then, read it again. This time ask your grandchild to cross out all the pronouns. (If they don’t know about pronouns yet, provide them with a list – words like you, me, I, we, us, they, whoever.)
- In place of the pronoun, instruct your grandchild to write their own name.
- Before ending your time together, have your grandchild read their newly personalized copy.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDS
Help your grandchild go from merely calling out the words as they read to paying attention to what they read. Begin by giving your grandchild a double -spaced printout of a Bible passage. Then challenge them to do one or more of the following:
- Highlight repeated words or phrases they find in the passage.
- Circle words that jump out at them.
- Number items in a series.
- Look up definitions or synonyms for words they do not know.
- If it fits with the passage, encourage them to make lists.
When they have finished digging (which could take one sitting or several), be sure to create space for talking through the passage together.
CREATE A MURAL
Involve your grandchildren in art making. Grab some poster board or butcher paper and, together, create a mural of what you are reading.
Feed the imaginations of your grandchildren as you read by creating your own scenes of what is happening in the text.
INVOLVE GRANDCHILDREN AS CAST MEMBERS
Read a Bible passage aloud and have your grandchildren act out what they hear. Let each child assume the role of one of the characters. And if you run out of children, let them play multiple roles or grab some stuffed animals and dolls.
ENCOURAGE RETELLING
Read a passage of the Bible together with your grandchild. When finished, before closing your Bible and moving on to other activities, ask your grandchild to retell the reading passage in their own words. This is a wonderful way for you to ascertain what they grasp from the reading and where you may need to make some clarifications.
Here’s an important tip. Let your grandchildren know that they will be asked to retell the passage before you read through it together. This will give them purpose in the reading and help them be more engaged with the text.
