During the first day of our visit in their home, four-year-old Alice excitedly shared with us where she was in her personal Bible time and what she was learning. The next day, she showed us her set up: sitting in Dad’s living room chair, computer on a table beside it with an audio Bible CD in it, headphones, and her Bible in her lap. Since Alice was learning to read, she could follow the audio in her actual Bible.
How to Start Your Child in the Bible
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). As Christian moms, we want to see our children place their faith in Jesus and grow up with a love for God’s Word. We desire that they would hide Scripture in their hearts. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We hope they will use the Bible to direct their thoughts and actions. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Did you know you can begin that process in your children’s preschool days? One way to do that is to schedule a daily, personal Bible time for them.
What If She Can’t Read?
You might wonder how personal Bible time would be possible for preschoolers since generally they can’t read. One benefit of our modern technology is Scripture in audio form—no reading, just listening! Preschoolers can listen to Scripture via a computer, or other device such as a smart phone, iPad, or MP3 player. (Most know we encourage using technical devices as tools not toys for children, and this is a good example.) There are dramatized and undramatized audio Bibles available. The ones for devices are free. With ear phones, your child can listen while other things are going on that would be a distraction or to keep them from being a distraction.
There are many benefits that come from a preschooler’s personal Bible time. They begin to learn Scripture and are often quite enthusiastic about what they learn. Preschoolers also have that amazing ability to remember well what they hear. Our grandson, Joshua, memorized the book of Jonah when he was five years old in large measure from listening to it.
Bible Time as a Child Creates a Good Habit
Preschool, personal Bible time is the beginning of a daily Bible time habit, something we would like to send our children into adulthood with. Whatever is habitual is easier to accomplish than something you have to decide each day if you will or will not do. How many of you yearn for daily Bible time but struggle to make it a reality? What if you had been given a daily Bible time habit when you were growing up?
During preschool Bible time, your child is productively occupied for the amount of time you designate for it, perhaps fifteen to thirty minutes. That allows you to accomplish something you couldn’t do when they need your more focused attention and oversight.
Could I encourage you to begin your preschoolers on their own personal Bible time? It will take a bit of thinking on your part. When is that time best scheduled? On what will they listen to the Bible? Where will they have their Bible time? Do they need headphones? Once those questions are answered and implemented, you begin filling your children’s minds with God’s Word, perhaps the greatest gift you could possibly give them. Plus you develop a life long habit of personal Bible reading that continually grows and nurtures a real relationship with Jesus Christ.