No doubt you’re as grateful as I am for anyone in your life who comes alongside you in discipling your children. There are few things more heartwarming than seeing a friend praying with your kids, or your children’s ministry leader opening their eyes to some truth about Jesus.
Yet research1 suggests that the vast majority of ministry leaders feel the home is truly distinct in the opportunities it offers for discipleship. Though we may agree wholeheartedly and long for our faith to saturate our home, reading Scripture with our children isn’t always a simple endeavor.
The Obstacles We May Encounter When Sharing God’s Word Within the Home
If it’s not something we experienced in our own childhood, then reading the Bible with our little ones may not come naturally. We might not know where to begin or worry that it’s too late to usher a new rhythm into our family life. We’re hesitant if we don’t feel equipped to answer our children’s questions. Maybe we’ve attempted a family devotional, only to be deeply discouraged when the children don’t appear to be listening or engaged. We wonder if the pursuit would be more fruitful when they’re a little older. Or we find ourselves struggling under the weight of other commitments and can’t envisage fitting this in.
We can, however, be assured of one thing; God desires to reveal himself to our children. He wishes that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and created the world in such a way that even the heavens declare his glory (Psalm 19:1). The enemy would have us feeling inadequate and overwhelmed when it comes to sharing God’s Word with our little ones. Yet, the Lord, in his kindness, will multiply our five loaves and two fish. No matter our struggles and limitations, we can cling onto the wondrous truth that it is the Lord who is the “founder and perfecter” of our children’s faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Out of the Abundance of the Heart
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 expresses a clear instruction to share Scripture with our children and urges us to do so “diligently,” with care and conscientiousness. It says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
These verses draw a connection between our own walk with the Lord and sharing God’s Word. Before all else, it says the Word “shall be on your heart” and infers that sharing Scripture with others overflows from this. “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Reassuringly, these verses also reveal that sharing God’s Word with our children may not look the same each day–though it can–and it certainly won’t look the same from home to home. Like Jesus who shared life alongside his disciples, talking constantly of the kingdom, we have an opportunity to share the Bible with our children in all sorts of ways each day.
The Legacy of Lois and Eunice
When the idea of sharing Scripture with our children feels particularly overwhelming, I remind myself of the wonderful legacy of Lois and Eunice captured in 2 Timothy.
Paul urges Timothy; “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). As a child someone invested time in sharing Scripture with Timothy, and it’s possible that their character served in some way as a testimony to Timothy too, because he is to remember from whom he learned.
We find out who likely shared Scripture with Timothy as a child, at the beginning of this letter. Paul writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5). Once again, this passage seems to convey that the sharing of Scripture started with the heart of these women. Their sincere faith had a tangible impact on their character and imparted a desire in them to tell their children all about God’s goodness.
Whilst Timothy’s faith is a working of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God alone, it’s truly beautiful to see how the Lord blessed the faithfulness of Lois and Eunice.
Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on the Lord
The text does not shed light on how these women shared Scripture with their children. Sometimes the details can leave us paralyzed anyway. Should we read the Bible together in the morning or evening, in the living room or at the dining table? Should we use separate resources for different aged children? As we ponder the particulars let’s keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. Scripture is the very Word of God, our invitation to commune with him and he will speak through it. As parents, it’s an honor to make ourselves available to the Lord, in discipling our children in our homes. And the story of Lois, Eunice and Timothy, affirms that sharing Scripture with our children really does have an eternal impact, for generations.
Practical Application
Search Your Heart
As you contemplate sharing Scripture with your children, ask the Lord to search your heart and lead you in his ways. Consider praying Psalm 139:23-24; “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Ask the Lord to Make You a Light
Reflect on how your children see your faith bubbling over into action and ask the Lord to make you a light. Dwell on Matthew 5:16; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Remind Yourself of the Power of God’s Word
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Thank the Lord for the assurance that sharing Scripture with your children will not be a fruitless endeavor. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Share Scripture With Your Children
I encourage you to grab your Bible and read it with your children today. Remember, you don’t need to do this in a particular way and you don’t need to have an intricate plan. But tell them of “the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:4) as found in his Word.
Footnotes:
1 Ninety-five percent of children’s ministry leaders say the home is the primary source of discipleship. The Barna Group, “Children’s Ministry in a New Reality”, May 2022, accessed August 31, 2024.
Photo Credit: Michael Marcagi
Martha Kimnell is a mother of two and lives in a small village in England. She is passionate about family discipleship and shares practical recommendations and resources for those who long to disciple their children with confidence and joy. You can follow Martha online at http://www.marthajosephine.com or on Instagram @marthajosephine_.
