Would you like to know more about everyday homeschool life in real families? Every so often on the blog, I love to give you a sneak peek into “our life” collectively as homeschoolers by sharing interviews with everyday homeschoolers just like you!

I am excited to share this interview I had with Anna Bruce (from @annabruceco), the author of the homeschool Bible Curriculum “Morning Manna: A Family Guide to Teaching Your Children Biblical Truths.” Join us as we talk about incorporating Bible in your homeschool.

Video Interview with Anna

Meet Anna

Anna is a devoted wife and mom of four, living with her family in South Carolina. Her children, ages 11, 8, 5, and 3, bring endless joy and energy to her days. Alongside her husband, Zach, Anna has been homeschooling for the past five years and finds the experience deeply rewarding and fulfilling. They love homeschooling because it gives them more family time and the flexibility to create meaningful moments together.

Anna never imagined she would homeschool, but the Lord had other, more beautiful plans for her family. What drew her to homeschooling was the opportunity to spend more time with her kids and play an important role in their daily lives. Having experienced homeschooling herself, along with private and public schooling, Anna brings a unique perspective to her eclectic homeschooling approach. She prioritizes family time, consistency, outdoor adventures, and discipleship, creating a learning environment that nurtures both education and faith. His plans, far more fulfilling than she ever expected, have brought her joy and purpose beyond measure over the last five years.

Anna loves creating resources for families, including her family devotional Hello Peace: A Family Devotional to Pursue Peace in the Home and Within and her Bible curriculum Morning Manna, both designed to help families grow in faith together.

Anna is passionate about helping parents embrace their God-given potential as homeschool educators and parents. For years, she has openly shared the joys and challenges of her journey through social media, blogging, and YouTube. When she’s not enjoying a hot cup of coffee or thrifting for hidden gems, you’ll find her sharing honest, heartfelt experiences to inspire moms to create life-giving homes, grow in faith, and lead with love.

When teaching Bible in your homeschool, what do you want to be the biggest takeaway that sticks with your kids?

Whether I’m leading a Bible lesson during homeschool or sharing heartfelt conversations about the Lord while baking cookies together, my goal is always the same: to help my children grow in their understanding of who they are in Christ.

My husband and I want them to grasp the deep and unchanging truth that they are beloved children of God and to experience the vast, unconditional love of their Heavenly Father in every season of life.

In a world that constantly tells them to “follow your heart,” “live your truth,” and “do whatever makes you happy,” we see it as our calling to equip them with a strong foundation of faith. It’s so important to us that they learn to measure the messages they hear against the unshakable truth of God’s Word, so they can confidently discern what is true and stand firm in their beliefs, no matter what they face.

Every small moment—whether we’re reading scripture as a family, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness during a car ride, or praying together before bed—is an opportunity for us to plant seeds of faith in their hearts.

I often reflect on Deuteronomy 6:6-8, where God commands us to keep His words on our hearts and impress them on our children—talking about them when we sit at home, when we walk along the road, when we lie down, and when we get up. This scripture inspires us to weave God’s truth into the rhythm of our daily lives, trusting that these seeds will grow into a bold and unwavering trust in Him, guiding our children and helping them shine His light in a world that desperately needs it.

What have you done in the past for teaching Bible? What worked/ didn’t work? 

We’ve tried it all! For years, I searched tirelessly for the perfect Bible curriculum to use in our homeschool. We’ve experimented with everything from structured Bible curriculums to storybook Bibles, and even spent seasons simply reading directly from the Bible together. Each approach had its merits, but none of them quite captured everything I envisioned for my children’s spiritual growth.

As I explored different options, I realized that so many Bible curriculums are lacking in key areas. The biggest issue I found was the absence of the Word itself. Many curriculums never once encouraged families to open their Bibles, and most didn’t prioritize scripture memorization.

I also noticed that prayer was often overlooked or treated as an afterthought, rather than being an integral part of teaching and applying God’s Word. This was something I couldn’t overlook. I wanted a curriculum that didn’t just talk about the Bible but actually guided children into God’s Word, encouraged them to hide scripture in their hearts, and helped them build a meaningful prayer life. This dissatisfaction sparked a deeper search for something better.

Last year, during yet another search for the “perfect” Bible curriculum, I began writing down key truths from scripture that I felt were essential for my children to learn. What started as a simple list of ideas quickly grew into something much bigger. What started as a way to meet our own family’s needs ultimately blossomed into my very own Bible curriculum: Morning Manna, which I launched last summer.

Since then, Morning Manna has truly taken off, and the feedback has been incredible. Families are loving it, and it’s been so rewarding to see how it’s helping others grow in their faith journeys. What sets Morning Manna apart from other Bible curriculums is that it’s not just another study or workbook—it’s a deeply interactive and scripture-centered approach to teaching children about God’s Word.

The curriculum includes scripture memory, catechism memory, Biblical affirmations, and Bible passage memorization. One feature that families love is the inclusion of QR codes, which allow kids to learn scripture through song—making the process both engaging and fun. Morning Manna also emphasizes reading directly from the Bible and praying together as a family, which I feel is essential in a Bible curriculum. We even have copywork that goes along with it!

This school year, we’ve been using Morning Manna in our own home, and it has been such a blessing. Not only have we grown individually in our walks with the Lord, but we’ve also grown closer as a family. The conversations we’ve had as a result of these lessons have been rich, heartfelt, and full of moments where we’ve seen God working in our hearts. It’s been such a joy to watch Morning Manna not only impact our own family but also bring God’s truth into the homes of so many others. You can check it out here.

What does Bible time look like now in your homeschool? 

Let me start by saying, our Bible time isn’t always picture-perfect. In fact, most days, it’s far from it. Some mornings, I’ve got a toddler hanging off my leg, dramatically demanding snacks like they haven’t eaten in days, or I’m juggling a tissue in one hand, wiping snotty noses, while trying to read scripture with the other. If I’m lucky, I get through a verse without someone yelling, “He’s looking at me!” or a baby suddenly deciding it’s the perfect moment to practice their high-pitched scream. And somewhere between all of that, I’m nursing my fourth cup of coffee, hoping it’s enough to get us through this blessed chaos.

And yet, even in the chaos, this time is precious. Despite the distractions, the interruptions, and the occasional meltdown (sometimes mine!), we gather together to focus on the Lord. These messy, imperfect moments are still filled with meaning, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Our homeschool day begins with Morning Manna, and it has truly transformed how we approach Bible time as a family. We start by coming together in prayer, sharing any requests that are on our hearts. Each child has the opportunity to contribute their prayer requests, and we record them using the Morning Manna Prayer Requests and Answers Tracker. Watching the Lord answer those prayers and being able to look back and see His faithfulness has been a really sweet experience for us this year.

Next, we open our Bibles and read a short passage of scripture. This year, we’re focusing on the Psalms, which has been such a blessing. After reading, I ask a few simple questions to help my children reflect on the passage and connect it to their lives. This often leads to some amazing conversations and gives us an opportunity to explore the heart of God together.

From there, we move on to catechism memory. I ask about 10-20 catechism questions, and my children recite the answers. This has been such a valuable way for them to learn foundational truths about our faith and really understand why they believe what they believe. Following that, we work on scripture memory, focusing on one verse each week. Repeating the verse daily has made it easier for them to internalize God’s Word, and it’s so rewarding to see how quickly they can recall it (even my 3 year old).

Some days, if we have time, we incorporate Biblical affirmations, where we declare truths from scripture over ourselves, reminding the children of their identity in Christ. Also if we have time, we spend time memorizing longer Bible passages, such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Fruit of the Spirit, or the Armor of God. Morning Manna offers so many options to choose from, and I love that we can tailor it to fit our focus for the week or month.

Altogether, our Bible time takes about 20-30 minutes, but it’s hands down my favorite part of our homeschool day. It’s not just about learning scripture—it’s about growing closer to the Lord as a family, starting our day with Him at the center, and building a strong foundation of faith that I pray will stay with my children for a lifetime. Morning Manna has made this time intentional, meaningful, and something we all look forward to each day.

I should mention, we also do family devotions as a family on most weeknights. We go through different devotionals and are currently doing one by The Daily Grace Co. I actually wrote a family devotional last year as well called Hello Peace: A Family Devotional to Pursue Peace in the Home and Within that might also be a great option if you’re looking for one to do together as a family. 

Can you give suggestions to other homeschoolers on how to make Bible time run more smoothly?

First, let me say that Bible time is going to look different in every season of life—and that’s completely normal! When I had a newborn, Bible time often looked like, “Okay, everybody run to the living room and let’s speed-read this devotional before the baby wakes up or someone spills milk again!” all while the sound of a breast pump echoed in the background like the world’s least relaxing soundtrack (if you know, you know).

Now that our youngest is 3, attention spans have slightly improved (on a good day), and we can actually spend 15-20 minutes (or more) exploring God’s Word together without someone parachuting off the fireplace hearth in a Batman costume or asking, “When is this going to be over?” halfway through a verse. If your Bible time doesn’t look like mine, don’t sweat it—you’re just in a different season, and trust me, God’s got you right where He wants you.

That being said, I’d love to share some practical tips that have helped us during our 11 years of family devotions. Whether you’re incorporating this into your homeschool day or doing it as a family in the evenings, these ideas might help make Bible time more smooth and enjoyable:

1. Embrace hands-on activities.

Most kids, especially younger ones, focus better when their hands are busy. It might sound counterintuitive, but letting them doodle, play with Play-Doh, work on an Etch A Sketch, or build with LEGOs while you’re reading scripture can actually help them retain what they’re hearing. In our home, we have a “quiet bin” that stays at the top of a shelf right off our living room. When it’s time for devotions, we pull it down, and it’s the only time they get to use this bin (other than read-aloud time). They look forward to it so much!

The bin includes things like sticker books, magnetic blocks, an Etch A Sketch, coloring books, electronic drawing tablet, and fidget toys—nothing noisy, of course. Having this special bin has been a game-changer. When our kids are engaged in something quiet and tactile, they’re more attentive, less fidgety, and more likely to absorb what we’re discussing or reading.

2. Pray before you start.

This one is so simple yet so powerful. Before you even open your Bible, take a moment to pray over your time together. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill the space, calm your hearts, and guide your conversations. I can’t tell you how often a chaotic morning or evening has turned into a sweet, Spirit-filled time just because we paused to invite God into it. He promises to meet us when we seek Him, and this small step can set the tone for the entire devotion time.

3. Adjust your expectations.

This is a big one, especially if you’re in a season of life where toddlers, tantrums, or you’re navigating the ever-dramatic world of preteens. Bible time doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Expect interruptions, giggles, or even outright resistance at times, and know that these moments are still planting seeds. God works through the messy and the imperfect!

4. Don’t give up.

There will be days when it feels like no one is paying attention. Maybe your toddler decides to dump out every toy you own as soon as you open the Bible, or your preteen rolls their eyes and checks their watch. You might feel discouraged and wonder if any of this is sticking. Let me encourage you: don’t stop. The more you stick with it, the more those seeds of truth are being planted in your children’s hearts. Over time, you’ll see fruit—maybe not right away, but God’s Word never returns void.

5. Make it your own.

Bible time doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Some days might be filled with deep discussion, and other days it might be as simple as singing a worship song or praying together. Let it reflect your family’s unique rhythm and needs.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create a picture-perfect moment but to consistently show your children the importance of spending time in God’s Word. Whether it’s five minutes or 30, the effort you’re making to lead your family spiritually will have a lasting impact. So, give yourself grace, keep pressing forward, and trust that God is working—even in the chaos.

How do you handle distractions or challenges during Bible time and still make it meaningful for your family?

We are far from perfect at this, but I think the key to handling distractions during Bible time is learning to stay calm and not let frustration take over—trust me, this was a lesson we learned the hard way! It takes training. Lots and lots of training.

When we first started, it felt like chaos. I would sit on one side of the room with the little ones while my husband sat on the other side, valiantly trying to read the Bible over the sound of toddlers negotiating snack demands or testing the acoustic properties of a toy car. My job was to quietly redirect the little ones, getting them to settle down with an activity from the quiet bin while gently reminding them that this was not playtime or a free-for-all.

Over time, and with much consistency, they began to understand that this was a special, set-apart time to focus on God and His Word. They learned that Bible time wasn’t for running around or being silly but for listening, learning, and growing together as a family. That said, we still have our crazy nights—like when the toddler decides to take off his pants and go streaking through the living room, someone can’t stop giggling, and the constant sound of nose blowing is enough to rival a marching band. On those nights, we sometimes glance at each other and wonder, “Is this even worth it?!” (Spoiler alert: It always is, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.)

The key is handling those distractions with love and grace and remembering your “why.” Why are we doing this? To plant seeds of truth in our children’s hearts. To teach them about the love of Christ. To help them build a foundation of faith that will carry them through their lives. Keeping that perspective helps me approach interruptions with patience (most of the time) and humor instead of frustration. It’s not about perfection—it’s about faithfulness, and that reminder keeps us coming back to God’s Word, even on the wildest of nights.

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Has Anna’s story resonated with you? Leave a comment to let her know!

Would you like to know more about everyday homeschool life in real families? Every so often on the blog, I love to give you a sneak peek into “our life” collectively as homeschoolers by sharing interviews with everyday homeschoolers just like you!

I am especially excited to share this interview I had with Michael and Camilla from @christsheritagehome, where they share homeschooling inspiration from their Christ-centered home in Denmark, home-educating their 7+ children! Join us as we talk about pursuing the heritage of Christ in your family.

Video Interview: Pursuing the Heritage of Christ In Your Family

*This post contains affiliate links which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family!

Introduce yourself. What attracted you to homeschooling?

Michael:

We are Michael (33, American) and Camilla (38, Danish), living in Randers, Denmark, with our children: Magnolia (11), Anemone (9), Jack (8), Eleanor (6), Charlie (4), Elliot (3), and Wesley (nearly 1), who has Down Syndrome. We are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little Naomi, due in March.

I have a theological education, but work as a consultant in a Danish unemployment fund, while Camilla is our prized homemaker. Camilla speaks Danish with the kids, and I speak English with them. Since we’re both fluent in both, you can say our household has some serious global flair! (Yes we celebrate Christmas on the 24th in Denmark—though we save some gifts for the 25th, to keep the American tradition going).

We met through a youth ministry in the U.S., and remained friends long distance, thanks to blogging and long chats about some theological questions Camilla wrestled with at the time.

It all started for real though in 2011 when Camilla “just so happened” to have a 3-day layover in my hometown—Virginia Beach, Virginia. Turns out, she wasn’t just passing through. She booked the layover on purpose to see me! At the end of her stay, I walked her to the gate at Norfolk International Airport and sent her back to Denmark with a hand-written letter in her hand: “If ever we were in a place where neither time nor distance could keep us apart, I am convinced we belong together, you and I.” Fast-forward to 2024, and you’ll find that very letter framed in our living room above the couch.

Why did we choose home-education?

At the heart of our decision lies the biblical conviction that family is a God-ordained institution, one in which children flourish best when nurtured by the active presence of their mother and father. In other words, we believe the family is made to be a family, and home education was the best path to that lived family life, with Christ at the center. We have been home-educating from the beginning and enrolled our oldest daughter the year she turned six in 2019, using a family-centered, eclectic approach, inspired by the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

You’ve put some thought into your family’s purpose and plan. Can you share the 3 pillars that are the foundation of your family life?

Michael:

With a vibrant family life, it’s important to have a few touchstones to hold onto. A year ago, when we began considering what values we wanted to shape Christ’s Heritage Home, I found that three simple, enduring pillars make up our family life: first, we are committed to raising children biblically. Second, life in the local Body of Christ—our local church—is our great delight. And third, whole-family, Christ-centered home-education is the beating heart of our home. I’ll break these down.

First

As parents, we are first and foremost servants of Christ, striving to raise children who delight in the King of Kings. So though it may not sound academic (as we traditionally understand academics), our first priority as educators is to instill biblical convictions in our children and to lead them to know and love Jesus Christ. This is the firm foundation of our home education.

How do we do this? By centering our family life on Christ and His Word. Now, we recognize that sincere love for God and his Word cannot be crow-barred into our kids, so we (imperfectly) strive to cultivate a cheerful, natural life of family devotion.

A few ways we do this is through a father-led Sunday family devotional and catechism, our “Sabbath School.” Another way is through daily family worship, where every evening, I open the Bible with the family, and we sing hymns and pray together. Camilla and the children will also start mornings with Bible-reading and scripture memorization. And, of course, much of ordinary discipleship happens in those in-between moments, guiding through conflict resolution, helping sibling relationships, facilitating habit-training, and constructively disciplining. That’s our first pillar in a nutshell.

Two absolute must-reads on family worship are Terry Johnson’s “Understanding Family Worship: Its History, Theology and Practice” and Joel Beeke’s “Family Worship” in the Family Guidance Series from Reformation Heritage Books. Camilla and I are watching Ryan Bush’s excellent video series on Family Worship now from Media Gratiae (available for streaming at G3 plus).

Family Worship Bible Guide – Strengthen Your Daily Devotions with 1,200+ Practical Insights for Every Chapter | By Joel R. Beeke & Family Worship Experts

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• English (Publication Language)
• 768 Pages – 12/27/2016 (Publication Date) – Reformation Heritage Books (Publisher)

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Understanding Family Worship: Its History, Theology and Practice

• Johnson, Terry L. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
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Second

The second pillar is about our family rhythms. Every family has its rhythms — think of it as the family’s regular, repeated events, like sports practice, outings, or homeschool co-ops. These come in many shapes and sizes, and each has its own place. But our most foundational rhythm is life within our spiritual family, the local church. It’s the backbone of our schedule and family life.

How can we raise whole children, children who not only can read and write, but who love Christ, if they don’t see us as parents modeling love for and commitment to His Body, the Church? Much could be said here, but in short, our hope for our children is that active membership in a biblical church family under qualified pastors, would feel as natural as breathing itself. I think if you asked them, they would say it is!

We love to call the Sabbath a delight (Isa. 58:13), gathering with the saints to worship on the Lord’s Day, in the Lord’s house, with the Lord’s people at our church, Kristuskirken in Viborg. In a culture where Sunday parties, sports matches, or family events are common excuses for missing church, we see Sunday worship as our excuse for missing everything else. We long to see faithful churchmanship revived in Denmark, a vital part of what has been called, “family piety.”

Third

Lastly, the third pillar is whole-family home-education. Our home-education takes place as much as possible together, as a family. Inevitably, education will occur at an individual level (my sister cannot attain knowledge for me!), but we believe the family was made to be a family, so we do as much learning as we can in the context of the whole family unit, in the home, or out together on an adventure (see our recent Instagram Reel about a recent micro-adventure to the wind turbine Test Center Østerild!).

Don’t get me wrong, family-based education can get rowdy at “Morning Basket” with so many little ones running around! Read-alouds or narrations are peppered with interruptions. But that’s the good life. We flex, we learn, we grow. Everyone wins, because everyone learns together.

Why is a generational, whole-family approach to education important?

The role of the family is to give a heritage to the next generations. The question isn’t “how do I give a heritage to my children?” but “what kind of heritage am I giving?”

This is primarily a spiritual legacy or treasure—the Gospel of Christ and the Word of Christ—embodied in a vibrantly biblical home, as described above. It’s a strenuous life. It demands everything, and you’ll go to bed exhausted every night.

It will require your all. But your granddaughters and grandsons will reap the abundant harvest. That’s where the name Christ’s Heritage Home comes from, because this very mundane labor of home-educating 7 (soon 8) children, is a long work. It requires grit and determination, and long days. But it’s so worth it! “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) 

If I do daily family worship for my 8 children (first generation), and each of them carries on this sacred tradition, with each having an average of 5 children (second generation), and those children do the same with their own 5 children (third generation), then I would have 200 great grand-children opening up their bibles with their families every evening. That is lasting wealth, a legacy of simple faithfulness, furnishing the generations to come with sound doctrine, a sincere love for the Savior, and all done in the warmth of the family living room at bedtime.

I repeat: it is not easy. I have had more than a few times of family worship end with me having to ask the children’s forgiveness for sinful impatience. But by God’s grace, the task is more than doable, even for weak men like myself. Christ will reward principled, humble obedience over the long haul.  

I long to see a generation of men, taking responsibility for the spiritual legacy they bestow on their children, in the life of the home.

Together we long to see the Heritage of Christ—His Word, His Gospel—bestowed upon the generations in Denmark, our prayer being that our humble efforts can in some way be used as a modest contribution to this end. In Psalm 112, we read of the “generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalm 112:2) That’s Christ’s Heritage Home in a nutshell.

What does a typical day look like in your home?

Camilla:

No two days are the same, but they do tend to follow a general rhythm. Michael and I usually get up early before the kids, that means 5-5.30 to sit down and do our individual bible reading. I might also spend some time getting ready for the homeschool day by printing something or ordering books from the library, tweaking plans etc.

Morning Habits and Breakfast

As the kids start to get up they are expected to get ready for the day by working on their morning habits (brush teeth, make bed, get dressed, read bible for oldest kids) and do their chores before sitting down for breakfast and bible reading at 8.30 am. If they finish early they can also have breakfast on their own before then. So for some kids, it’s their second breakfast at that point!

Family Learning

We all gather to read from Catharine Voss’ “The Child’s Story Bible”, which the whole family, even the youngest children, enjoy. We move on from the bible to our memory verse for the week and sometimes (not often, but it’s something I would like to do more!) sing a hymn. Then we get on with other family learning which could be picture study, poetry, world history, Danish history, Shakespeare, a book guide, composer study, mapwork/geography or nature study.

Read Aloud

We don’t do all those things every day, but we alternate. After those “loop”-subjects we have our Family Read Aloud. Some favorites have been “The Railway Children” by Edith Nesbit, “By the Great Horn Spoon!” by Sid Fleischman, and “The Trumpet of the Swan” by E.B. White, and we are currently reading and loving “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare.

Independent Work

Really the only thing the children do individually is math, reading and narration/written narration and writing, all other subjects are covered as a family.We try to also squeeze in some time to work on individual skill-based work before lunch.

Afternoons

Afternoons will most of the time mean either free play and outdoor time, visiting with friends, appointments, errands, quiet time with audiobook, piano lessons on Facetime with their grandmother in Virginia, a library trip or a nature walk.

Afternoons might also be spent on more crafty projects like sewing, baking or watercoloring. Sometimes we do have some kind of shared learning activity in the afternoon, either relating to our family read-aloud or some other more elaborate project, that didn’t fit into our morning.

At some point in the afternoon we have a snack time, and ideally a pick up around the house, but we are not in a consistent routine with that, sometimes it just has to wait until Papa is home from work and can help direct children.

Most of the time we have a “chef of the day”, who is either in charge of or helping out with lunch and dinner for the day, so depending on their age and skill level, we get started on that in the late afternoon as well. 

Can you give practical ways that other families can educate as a family? 

Michael:

I mention this briefly in the podcast, but especially for dads, one way you can educate as a family, is simply by taking your kiddos under your arm, and going on a learning adventure to a forest, museum, activity park. Be cheerful. Be calm. Be godly. They will love it! Anything goes. We call them “micro-adventures,” oftentimes wild and wonderful, where the whole family learns and loves together, each at their own level.

If a father or mother takes action in a cheerful way, then a whole family can get swept up. Sarah Wallace (author of “Created to Care”) wrote, “when my kids see a peaceful mommy, chaos doesn’t feel like chaos. It feels like an adventure.” That’s it right there.

Created to Care: God’s Truth for Anxious Moms

• Wallace, Sara (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 160 Pages – 07/05/2019 (Publication Date) – P&R Publishing (Publisher)

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Camilla:

Create a culture of reading together. Whether your child is 3 or 9 or 15, they can all be part of a family reading time. The stories we share become treasured memories and shared adventures, that we remember long after we finish the book. It builds relationships like nothing else.

As Michael mentioned, adventuring together is such an important part of learning and living life together. It is also something everyone no matter their age can participate in on each their level. Whether it is going for a long drive to the seaside, or just the local forest—so much learning takes place as we are out, seeing things and talking about what we see. 

What is one important thing you do in your home? 

Camilla:

Books. Reading. Living ideas. Everyone chips in on chores. I’m not sure I can choose just one. Get the kids involved. 

The first time it really hit me—like, this matters—was about two and a half years ago. We had read before, of course, but this time felt different. We were reading The Railway Children, and that book holds a special place in my heart.

It was about six months after my dad passed away from lung cancer. I was in a really dark place—grieving, exhausted. Within the span of 4 months we lost him, welcomed a new baby, moved, and changed churches. It was just… a lot. 

But something happened when we read that book. I feel like I gave my children their mother back through it. That was the moment I realized—this matters more than almost anything else.

Since then, when life feels stressful, or doubts creep in and I start thinking, “we’re not doing enough, we need to do more math,” I remember The Railway Children. And I remember why we’re doing this. I remember that I am more interested in what kind of people we are sending out in the world on the other side, than how many facts they know about x y z.

I have personally really benefited from reading “Modern Miss Mason” by Leah Boden and “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay and  “The Read-Aloud Family” by Sarah Mackenzie. They have all helped me find more peace as a home educator and as a mother really.

Sale

Modern Miss Mason: Discover How Charlotte Mason’s Revolutionary Ideas on Home Education Can Change How You and Your Children Learn and Grow Together

• Boden, Leah (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 224 Pages – 01/10/2023 (Publication Date) – Tyndale Momentum (Publisher)

$12.47

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Sale

For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School

• Macaulay, Susan Schaeffer (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 208 Pages – 06/28/2022 (Publication Date) – Crossway (Publisher)

$10.28

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The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

• Mackenzie, Sarah (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 288 Pages – 03/27/2018 (Publication Date) – Zondervan (Publisher)

$11.43

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Can you tell readers more about pioneering home education in Denmark. Are there other families in your church who homeschool? Are there any co-ops/support?

Michael:

Although homeschooling is a burgeoning movement in Denmark, especially since the Corona-lockdown when some families were forced to “take the leap” (some never went back), there are very few co-ops in the American sense of “homeschoolers homeschooling together.” Most groups we know of are primarily for building relationships with other homeschoolers, with a minor educational element.

There is a national association for home-educators, Fri Læring, with a host of resources and guidance for those seeking to get started.

Our family has a weekly nature group with another homeschool family and we love it! We also are a part of a language club with 3 other families about once a month. We love fellowship with other home educators, but it is important that we are not in any way dependent on others to give our children a wonderful education.

A friend of mine once asked me, “Michael, if you lived on an island with nobody else around, could you homeschool your children?” He was making a point about education in its purest form being a family affair and not dependent on the government or others.

Ultimately, God has given children to a mother and father, to raise, educate, and escort them into manhood and womanhood. That sacred task is not on the church, schools, or other families. I agree wholeheartedly!—with the caveat that a family’s home education is greatly enriched by a wealth of relationships, especially with other homeschooling families.

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Has Michael and Camilla’s story resonated with you? Leave a comment to let them know!

Want to know more about Michael and Camilla? Here’s where you can find them.

Website: Christ’s Heritage Home

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To read more encouraging interviews with homeschoolers just like you, check out the Gallery of Homeschool Interviews!

In a world where truth is hard to find and being popular is more important than doing the right thing, how can we teach our kids to be honest? The books and resources in this post will help you teach your kids about honesty. 

Maybe we should start by asking our kids some tough questions to pique their thoughts.

• What does it mean to be truthful? 
• If I tell everything that happened, but leave out a few minor details, is that telling the truth? 
• Is it ok to tell a teeny tiny lie? 
• When someone else is lying, am I lying too when I don’t speak up? 

God’s Word is the Standard of Truth

If we are looking for the truth, we must begin with God’s Word since He is the Creator of all. In everything we see and hear around us, let us remind our children to measure it against the ultimate standard of truth. 

This is what the Bible has to say about honesty. These would be wonderful verses to memorize with your children!

Proverbs 12:17 17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

Proverbs 12:22 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

I John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

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Honesty Children’s Book Collection

Picture books are a wonderful tool to teach young children lessons about the importance of honesty. Below are some of my favorite books to read to my kids. 

The Empty Pot by Demi

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The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book)

• Demi (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 32 Pages – 09/15/1996 (Publication Date) – Square Fish (Publisher)

$7.42

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In this folktale, a little boy learns how hard it is to make honest choices, especially when you’re all alone, but his integrity is greatly rewarded. This story has a surprise ending that will keep your little ones on the edge of their seats until the last page. 

The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia McKissack

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The Honest-to-Goodness Truth

• McKissack, Patricia C. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 40 Pages – 01/01/2003 (Publication Date) – Aladdin (Publisher)

$8.03

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Libby is ashamed that she lied to her Mama, so she decides, “From now on, only the truth!” Although she has good intentions, she learns an important lesson when she experiences the negative consequences of her words. She sees that it’s also important how you speak the truth. There is a time and place for everything and some things are better left unsaid. The fun illustrations in this book will engage your children as they learn that honesty is the best policy.   

Son of Truth by Brave Books

This book is one of a collection of Brave Books, each of which focuses on a Biblically-based value. As Valor leaves home to return to school, his father reminds him, “Remember, know the truth, love the truth, and chase the truth always.” Valor takes his father’s words to heart, but he soon learns that sometimes the right choice comes at a great cost. Brave Books are high-quality books that will teach your kids important character traits. Trent Talbot created this pro-God, pro-America brand when he became a father and struggled to find great books that parents could trust with their children’s imaginations. Join the Freedom Island Book Club to receive one book monthly. 

A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting

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A Day’s Work

• Bunting, Eve (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 32 Pages – 04/14/1997 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)

$7.99

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In this book, Francisco, a young boy learns the price of a lie when he slants the truth to help his Abuelo get a job. This is a wonderful story to read to specifically to boys because of the close relationship Francisco has with his Abuelo. In the end, he sees that his Abuelo has one important character trait that matters more than any particular skill: honesty.

The Book of Virtues: Chapter 8 on Honesty

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The Book of Virtues: 30th Anniversary Edition

• Hardcover Book
• Bennett, William J. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 640 Pages – 11/29/2022 (Publication Date) – Simon & Schuster (Publisher)

$20.49

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Each of the chapters in this book features a different character quality. In chapter 8, young readers learn the true stories of George Washington and the Cherry Tree, Honest Abe, and Regulus. This chapter also includes classic tales such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Frog Prince, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and more! 

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

Pinocchio (Puffin Classics)

• Collodi, Carlo (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 272 Pages – 06/09/2011 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)

$7.99

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This classic book is a great way to show young children how one lie leads to another which can ultimately get us into a heap of trouble. What I love most about Pinocchio is that his faltering character which tries so hard to do right, but repeatedly makes bad choices, resonates with young children. They quickly find themselves hoping that Pinocchio will choose the right way!

Audio Stories

Adventures in Odyssey is a wonderful audio drama collection for kids ages 8-12. My kids love listening to these before bedtime every night. The following episodes focus on the importance of telling the truth.   

The Tangled Web

Nothing But the Half-Truth

But, You Promised

The Lyin’ Tale

Poems about Honesty

Rebecca’s Afterthought by Elizabeth Turner

YESTERDAY, Rebecca Mason,

In the parlour by herself,

Broke a handsome china basin,

Plac’d upon the mantel-shelf.

Quite alarm’d, she thought of going

Very quietly away,

Not a single person knowing,

Of her being there that day.

But Rebecca recollected

She was taught deceit to shun;

And the moment she reflected,

Told her mother what was done;

Who commended her behaviour,

Lov’d her better, and forgave her.

Whole Duty of Children by Robert Louis Stevenson

A child should always say what’s true

And speak when he is spoken to,

And behave mannerly at table;

At least as far as he is able.

Quotes about Truth

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” – Mark Twain

“Honesty first; then courage; then brains-and all are indispensable.” -Teddy Roosevelt

“To make your children capable of honesty is the beginning of education.” -John Ruskin

As you aim to show your children the importance of truth, I hope this book list and other resources will help you transfer these values to your children. 

Other Book Recommendations You May Enjoy

21 Great Children’s Books About Courage to Read Aloud

12 Excellent Christian Books For Tweens to Read

When we struggle with doubt and discouragement as homeschool moms, we need to get into God’s Word! Focusing on the promises God gives to us as believers is a great way to “set our minds on things above and not on things of the earth.” 

I was truly blessed by doing this Bible study. As I looked up all these Bible verses, I was reminded of God’s heart of unfailing love and faithfulness to us, the good news of the gospel, and the sure hope of eternal life we have as believers in Christ Jesus. 

This free printable list of the promises of God (13 pages) is wonderful to put in your Morning Time notebook or display in prominent places where you are most likely to see them throughout the day. You can cut out the smaller cards to put in a frame or tape them in places you will see them frequently like the kitchen sink, bathroom mirror, or your nightstand.

Each of these Bible promises is followed by a Scripture reference (ESV) so you can look these up on your own to get a better understanding of the context of each promise. 

God’s Promises about Salvation

God’s love for us is incomparable because while we were his enemies, Christ died for us and offers us salvation and eternal life. 

Salvation is promised to those who call on the Lord. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Salvation is a free gift of God.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Believers have eternal life in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God’s Promises to Believers

There is no condemnation for those who trust Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 

We are a part of the family of God. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:19

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,’For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Because of Jesus, we can know our heavenly Father. “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

By abiding in him, our lives will be spiritually fruitful. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

Believers who remain steadfast in suffering will receive a crown of life. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”  James 1:12

God will answer our prayers. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13,14

Jesus will never abandon you. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

Promises of God about the Holy Spirit

God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and help Christians. 

When Jesus ascended, he gave believers his Holy Spirit as a gift. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

The Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

God’s Spririt gives (spiritual) life to our dead bodies. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

Promises of God for Daily Life

The Word of God has wisdom and encouragement for every circumstance in daily life. 

He cares about us. “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

Jesus gives us peace that the world cannot give. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. … Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

God comforts us in our troubles. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

God will supply all your needs. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

You can do anything God calls you to in life because Christ gives you the strength to do it. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

God’s Promise to Give Us Victory Over Sin

What truth can we cling to in our struggle with sin? These verses offer us incredible hope! 

God will provide a way of escape in temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10: 13

He is able to keep you from stumbling. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…” Jude 24

When we confess our sin after salvation, God forgives us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

Sin cannot control you. “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14

The devil will flee from you when you submit to God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

You are a new creation in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthinans 5:17

Promises from the Old Testament

One particular thing we should be careful about as Christians is that we don’t claim promises of God that were meant for different people at different times. 

These are some good questions to ask when reading a text. Who God is speaking to in this promise? Is this a promise made to a specific person or to the nation of Israel?

Although the New Testament is full of promises specifically to those who place trust in Christ, . we can also learn a lot about the heart of God from his interactions with Israel in the Old Testament.

These verses below are promises I believe we can infer from understanding God’s nature throughout the Old Testament. 

God gives strength to those who wait on Him. “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:30-31

God can give perfect peace to the one who trusts him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

God will give you direction in life as you trust in Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not leanon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5,6

The Lord promises blessings to those who trust in him. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, forit does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7,8

Promises of God from the Psalms

In the book of Psalms, we find a plethora of songs praising God for his character. We can relate to David as he pours out his heart to the Lord during some of the most difficult times in his life. 

God is a refuge for us in times of trouble. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:10

The love of God is so great, it cannot be measured. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” Psalms 103:11

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

God will give you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in him. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4

The Lord takes pleasure in his people. “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

In Him we can have complete joy and lasting pleasure. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11

God’s Future Promises

This list of promises includes the most important promise to believers: Jesus is coming again soon! Though life on earth may be filled with trials and suffering, it is short. Eternity is long and soon we will “ever be with the Lord.” 

Jesus is coming to judge evil. “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Jude 14b-15

Believers will inherit the kingdom that God has been preparing for them since the beginning of the world. “Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34

Soon we will be with the Lord for all eternity. “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:17

Jesus is coming back soon! “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12

Revelation 12:20 “Surely I am coming soon!”

How do I access the free printable Promises of God for Christians digital download?

1. Subscribe in the box below by entering your email.
2. Check your email inbox to confirm your subscription.
3. You will get a success message with a link to the pdf file. Click on the link and print. (You will need a color printer for this printable.) Enjoy! Please remember, these are for personal use only!

The promises in this list do not even scratch the surface of the riches of God’s kindness to us as his children. I challenge you to write out the promises of God for yourself. As you spend time reading the Bible each day, jot down the promises you read. You will be blessed as you reflect on God’s abundant goodness.

When you encounter difficult times in your life today, open the holy Bible and remind yourself of the good things God promises to us as believers. 

Enjoy reading these other similar posts!

Best Books of the Bible At-A-Glance Free Printable 

How to Help Kids Develop a Habit of Reading the Bible

Teaching Bible in Morning Time

Homeschool Mom You Are Doing a Great Work

If there was ever a time when kids should be reading the Bible, that time is now. The direction of the next generation is hinging on the spiritual formation of this generation.

Our kids live in a world where they are bombarded with deception and temptation at every turn. If we want them to be able to spot counterfeit or to discern between truth and error, they need to be familiar with the authentic Word of God!

One of the most difficult spiritual practices for adults is often maintaining a consistent Bible-reading habit. Because of this, I want to find different ways to help our kids develop this practice in their own lives. Below are some practical tips that have helped our kids develop a habit of regular Bible reading.

Video: How to Help Kids Develop a Habit of Reading the Bible

#1 Read the Bible to Them

The first essential step to helping kids read the Bible is to read it to them. The more you engage with something new, the more your appetite grows for that concept or skill. Each new time you approach it, you will understand a little more of it. The same is true of the Bible.

I remember learning in college Psychology class about the pathways between neurons in the brain. Every time a baby has repeated experiences, the pathway between those neurons becomes stronger. This is why little children want you to read the same book over and over again.

It is also why pediatricians suggest you try a new food several times when starting a baby on solids. It takes repeated encounters to develop a taste and appetite for certain foods.

This concept applies to the Bible as well. The more kids hear the stories of the Bible and the style of the text, the more familiar it will be to them.

In the same way that scaffolding is used as a temporary framework for a new building, reading the Bible to young children helps prepare them to read the entire Bible independently. It will build a basic framework of the Biblical timeline in their minds and familiarize them with Biblical events.

When you read the Bible or Bible stories to your kids, beware of the temptation to sermonize the reading. The purpose of reading is to feed their spirit. Trust the Word itself to work powerfully in their hearts.

Our Home

Just as it is our duty as parents to protect, nourish, and care for our children, it is our duty as Christian parents to spiritually feed and equip them. Let’s “wash them in the water of the Word” and feed them with the “bread of life.”

In our home, we read the Bible to our kids morning and night. I read a chapter from A Child’s Story Bible at breakfast. (You can read more about how I Teach Bible in Morning Time here.)

In the evening, we read a passage of Scripture together around the table after dinner. This is a short ritual that we have built into our family life. Since it can be hard to gather everyone (especially in a large family), it’s easiest to do the Scripture reading when we are already together like we are at mealtime.

This practice is not something we are rigid about practicing. We miss readings from time to time, but it’s something we always come back to so it has become a tradition in our family.

After sharing this practice with others, I once had someone ask me, “Are you afraid your kids are getting too much Bible?” My answer is this. A reading takes about 5-10 minutes. With all the other endeavors we make time for in our day, is that really too much?

#2 Approach Personal Bible Reading as a Habit

I approach personal Bible Reading the same way I approach other habits that I want my kids to learn, for example, brushing their teeth or making their beds. I know that brushing their teeth is a habit that will secure good health for my kids for a lifetime, so I am not ashamed to expect them to do this as a daily practice.

In my own experience, the strategy that has most helped our kids develop this habit, is to put daily Bible reading on their homeschool checklist with the rest of their school work. As soon as young readers can read independently, reading the Bible is the first item on the list. This way when they look at their checklist every morning, they know it is the first task to complete.

When they sit down to read the Bible, the intent is simply for them to read the content, nothing more, nothing less. The purpose is not for them to have an experience of some sort.

If the Holy Spirit convicts their hearts in some way or if they respond to the reading with private prayer, that is between them and the Lord. It is not expected.

I cannot overstate that the task is very simple: read the Word. That’s it!

#3 Give Them a Progression of Bible Reading

Progressing through different story Bibles until they can read the literal text has been a great way to help older children develop a habit of reading the holy Scriptures in their daily lives.

The ultimate goal is for them to be able to comfortably read the actual Bible. This is always what we are always working toward even as we give them simpler Bible story books. Here is a sample of the progression we use.

#1 The Young Reader’s Bible

A great start for younger children as soon as they can read on their own is to give them The Young Reader’s Bible. We found an old copy at a book sale and it is now almost falling apart after having gone through all of our readers.

Usually they can read through an entire chapter easily because the chapters are short. Additionally, our kids read through this book 2 or 3 times before moving on to the next more difficult story Bible.

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The Young Reader’s Bible

• Hardcover Book
• Bruno, Bonnie (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 448 Pages – 06/04/1998 (Publication Date) – Standard Pub (Publisher)

$1.98

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#2 The Action Bible

When they finish the Young Reader’s Bible, I have them move next to The Action Bible by Sergio Cariello. This rendition still has illustrations, but more written text for each page. Our kids have enjoyed how this book is written in a comic book style with colorful pages and word bubbles with dialogue to tell each account.

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The Action Bible: God’s Redemptive Story

• Hardcover Book
• English (Publication Language)
• 832 Pages – 09/01/2020 (Publication Date) – David C Cook (Publisher)

$16.43

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#3 The Child’s Story Bible

The final Bible storybook our kids read in this progression is The Child’s Story Bible by Katherine Vos. This book has chapters that are about 2 pages in length with large text and (almost) no illustrations. The chapters are written in a style that is easy to understand although some of the English words are a little older. This is the same book I read to them in Morning Time so that also helps it to be easy for them to read it. (They read at their own pace in a different section.)

Sale

The Child’s Story Bible

• Hardcover Book
• Vos, Catherine F. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 382 Pages – 08/29/1983 (Publication Date) – Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

$20.86

Buy on Amazon

The Jesus Storybook Bible is also another great place for kids to start.

Sale

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

• Age Appeal: 4 – 8.
• Hardcover Book
• Lloyd-Jones, Sally (Author) – Holland, Ben (Narrator)
• English (Publication Language)
• 352 Pages – 02/20/2007 (Publication Date) – Zonderkidz (Publisher)

$13.06

Buy on Amazon

#4 The Holy Bible

After this progression of children’s Bibles, our kids are usually ready (and excited!) to read the “real” Bible for themselves. This can be a special time to reward them with their own Bible.

Bible Reading Plan

Sometimes kids can have a hard time reading through certain books of the Bible so adding variety can help them break this up. I have used a 4-day rotation with our kids to help them as they read through different sections of the Bible. I pencil this out on a sticky note that goes in the front cover of their Bibles.

• Day 1: Read 2 Old Testament Chapters

• Day 2: Read 1-2 Psalms

• Day 3: Read 1 New Testament Chapter

• Day 4: Read a Proverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legalistic to require kids to read the Bible every day? If we tell kids how important it is to read God’s Word every day, but don’t help them in forming a habit, I think that this could more easily lend to a failure mentality than if we treat it as any other habit we want them to establish.

It is against a child’s nature to attempt to perform good habits on their own. Small children need accountability, structure, and repeated encounters to establish habits. If we require them to do other subjects daily like math, writing, and history, why not the Bible?

Does putting Bible Reading on a checklist turn it into a rote task to accomplish rather than a meaningful quiet time? That is a result that can happen, of course, but if the purpose is solely to spiritually nourish our kids with the Word, simply reading will do that. We can trust the pure Word of God to work mightily in their hearts.

*This post may contain affiliate links which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Scriptures to Inspire Us to Read the Bible

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

“The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” Psalm 12:6

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day… I have more understanding than all my teachers…I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts…How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts, I get understanding. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119, various verses

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5

Pin it! How to Help Kids Develop a Habit of Reading the Bible

Discipleship: A Parent’s Responsibility

Before I start, let me clarify that a Christian education does not save a child. Only God saves. For Christian parents, however, the purpose of teaching our kids from a Christian worldview is to be obedient to the command from Scripture to “teach [these truths] diligently to your children, to 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 6:7).

Consider the inspiration of these verses.

Psalm 78 “We will not hide these truths from our children, but we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders…He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.”

Joel 1:3 “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.”

Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

Apart from the five opportunities that I have listed below, we have the privilege of simply reading the Bible to our kids. Let’s give them the real thing! They should become so familiar with the truth that they can spot counterfeits. This is a Christian parent’s first responsibility. Let’s not neglect it!

When we give our kids a distinctively Christian education, we can pass on truths that are hard to find elsewhere!

Video: 5 Opportunities Unique to a Christian Education

#1 Bible History

A Christian education gives our kids an understanding of the sequence of Biblical events and how they point to the gospel. There’s so much more to the whole story of the Bible than isolated Sunday School lessons.

Consider the chronology of the Bible.

• Creation
• The fall of man
• The promise of a future Messiah woven throughout the Old Testament
• Call of Abraham
• Israel goes to Egypt
• The two great leaders of Israel, Moses and Joshua
• The period of the Judges
• The repeated cycle of turning to God wholeheartedly followed by the apathy and turning away of his people
• Kings of Israel
• The divide between the northern and Southern kingdoms
• Exile of the Jews in Babylon and Assyria
• Return of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to Israel and rebuilding of the temple
• Birth and life of Jesus, the promised Messiah
• Death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ
• The future revelation of Christ at the end of time as told in Revelation

This is just a glimpse of the Biblical framework. Seeing how the whole story fits together is best learned in the home because it’s a study that takes time. As Christian parents, we can show our kids the whole story.

Examples

For example, when you are familiar with the lives and stories of King Uzziah and King Hezekiah, reading the prophecies in the book of Isaiah, who spoke during their lifetimes, will not seem so foreign to you because you will understand the context and culture of that time and place.

Or, here’s another example. When you have read and re-read the many battles of the Jewish people throughout different periods and see how often they were completely outnumbered yet won against their enemies, you can fully appreciate how God was working on their behalf.

Bible History and World History

Where does Biblical history fit in with World history? These are not two separate studies. They happened jointly throughout time. A definitively Christian education can bring these two together.

For several years we have used Veritas Press Self-Paced History Lessons. What I love most about their program is how they weave Biblical history in with world history to present the whole story. Veritas Press teaches history chronologically, starting with Creation and continuing through modern times.

Understanding the whole of Bible history is crucial to fully appreciating man’s desperate need and the message of the gospel.

#2 History of the Christian Church

In addition to Bible history, we also can teach our kids church history. I believe the purpose of coming together as believers at church is primarily to exegete the Word. Where, then, will our children learn about the history of the Christian Church?

Although I grew up in church and attended Christian school, I cannot remember learning much about church history until I became an adult. I am fascinated to study church history in the context of what was happening in world history at that same time.

This is another opportunity for parents to give kids a more well-rounded understanding of human history and how it fits with our faith.

There are many benefits to knowing church history. Here are a few.

• When you know the history of the church, you will be less susceptible to new, progressive “Christian” teachings because you will see how the church throughout history responded to similar heresies.
• Knowing church history can help understand the hard sayings of the Bible. Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” When we look back and learn what our Christian forefathers believed, this will help us interpret Scripture with wisdom.
• Church history is very interesting and inspiring!

#3 Doctrines of the Faith and Apologetics

One way to teach kids about important doctrines of the faith is to catechize them. Using catechisms, kids can learn the simple truths from Scripture in the form of a series of questions and answers. Some well-known catechisms are the Westminster, Heidelberg, and Baptist catechisms.

I think we should remind kids that these documents were written by men and are not inspired by God. They are, however, useful in making Biblical truth simple, concise, and easy to remember. Additionally, I think it is important to keep these lessons short. Doctrine is heavy stuff! Don’t weary the kids with sermonizing.

Singing hymns can also introduce kids to truths from Scripture. Many of the hymns contain doctrinal truth written in beautiful, poetic form. Is this the generation where the hymns die out? I hope not!

As our kids grow and enter the adult world, will they be ready to give a defense of their faith? Recently our kids were also able to take an Apologetics class at our co-op. This class challenged them with questions about why they believe what they believe. It made them really think! They learned how to defend their faith using Scripture, the ultimate authority.

#4 Christian Heroes

Who are our kids’ heroes? Do they know the life stories of Christians throughout history? How have Christians from other time periods and cultures lived out their faith?

We can challenge our kids to live above the status quo by introducing them to great men and women of faith who lived for something that outlasted them. This is another opportunity you can give your kids with a Christian education.

Throughout our many years of homeschooling, we have read several Christian biographies. I like to read these once a week during our Morning Time.

Give them Christian heroes! Introduce them to people like George Muller, Amy Carmichael, George Washington Carver, Charles Spurgeon, Polycarp, Richard Wurmbrand, Corrie Ten Boom, John and Betty Stam, and more!

Let’s inspire them with stories of heroes who displayed great trust and faith in the promises of God’s Word.

You can read more about this here. 11 Excellent Christian Biography Resources for Your Homeschool

#5 The Influence of A Living Testimony

One time in a class at church, the teacher posed the question, “What has been the biggest faith builder in your life?” There were several answers, but the one that stood out the most to me was this. “A living testimony.” Perhaps one of the most persuasive and compelling influences that will cause a person to believe the truth of the gospel is a living testimony.

Paul told believers to “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Jesus said, “A student is not superior to his teacher; but everyone, after he has been completely trained, will be like his teacher.”

What else but the transforming power of Christ can explain a changed life? There is no better witness to the gospel than a life lived in complete surrender to Christ in humble response to God’s Word.

While it can be argued that there are godly Christian role models in many educational settings, sadly most traditional school environments severely limit what a Christian teacher can say and do. Consider the difference when a Christian parent (or teacher) can fully live out his or her faith alongside a child over a period of time!

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What opportunities would you add to this list? Comment below!

You may also enjoy reading Teaching Bible in Morning Time.