Bible Study
It is important for everyone to read and study God's Word for themselves. Here are some resources and ideas for helping kids (and adults) learn from reading the Bible.
Bible Studies for Kids
Relentless
Relentless is a 21-week study of Judges and Ruth.
BRBS is the Beginning Readers' Bible Study, to do with kids who are learning to reading.
Print it in color, double sided. Print the cover separately, double-sided, on cardstock. Spiral-bind it or put it in a 3-ring binder, whichever you prefer.
Relentless is a 21-week study of Judges and Ruth.
BRBS is the Beginning Readers' Bible Study, to do with kids who are learning to reading.
Print it in color, double sided. Print the cover separately, double-sided, on cardstock. Spiral-bind it or put it in a 3-ring binder, whichever you prefer.
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A More Excellent Way
A More Excellent Way is a 19-week study of 1 & 2 Corinthians.
BRBS is the Beginning Readers' Bible Study, for kids who are learning to reading.
Print it in color, double sided. Print the cover separately on cardstock. Spiral-bind it or put it in a 3-ring binder, whichever you prefer.
A More Excellent Way is a 19-week study of 1 & 2 Corinthians.
BRBS is the Beginning Readers' Bible Study, for kids who are learning to reading.
Print it in color, double sided. Print the cover separately on cardstock. Spiral-bind it or put it in a 3-ring binder, whichever you prefer.
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Bookmarks for Individual Bible Study
These bookmarks have questions a reader can ask him or herself while studying the Bible in order to increase comprehension and retention.
Cut the paper into thirds to make the bookmark. Kids can write their names on the back and decorate it if desired. You can laminate them if you want them to last longer. Teach kids to keep the bookmarks in their Bibles. Teach them to ask themselves the questions while they are reading, and after the are finished reading. They are great questions to chat about.
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This bookmark has fewer questions and simpler language. It is appropriate for younger children who are beginning readers. It can be used even when reading a picture Bible or for when the Bible is being read aloud. The bookmark can also be turned sideways and the edge of it can be used to help beginning readers underline the line of text being read (instead of pointing a finger to each word as it is read).
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This bookmark also has simple questions, but it is designed for more more advanced readers and adults. The edge can also be used for making a straight line for highlighting/underlinging texts.
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Keep a Journal
Prayerfully read through a passage verse by verse. In your own words, write down what each verse says on a notepad or spiral. Prayerfully consider what that means and what application it has for your life. Write what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. *Remember, the text has only one true meaning, the meaning the Author intended. You are not looking for what it means to you, but what it actually means. Be careful to ask God to help you know what the text actually means, and how you can apply that truth in your life. The text has only one true meaning, but it can have many different applications.
Memorize Verses
I can personally testify to the power Scripture memory can have in a life. I challenge you to try it for yourself and see what the Lord will do in your life when you make Scripture memory a priority. No excuses. You can do it; the Holy Spirit will help you.
Here are some tips.
- Set a measurable, attainable goal. Write it down. Do you want to learn 1 verse a week? 1 chapter a month? Romans 8 by the end of next month? You decide what your goal is.
- Make a plan for reaching that goal. What are you going to do? How are you going to reach that goal? Keep reading for some tips that I am familiar with or that I regularly do. But you might also have some strategies that work for you. Make a plan for reaching your personal goal.
- Start with prayer. Every time to come to the Word of God, come prayerfully. Ask the Lord to help you understand and memorize it. Ask Him to help you apply it in your life.
- Learn a phrase at a time. Even when I am memorizing long sections, I work on it phrase by phrase. When I have the first phrase, then I add the second phrase and practice those together. Then I add the next phrase. Don't try to do chunks that are too big all at once.
- Use an actual Bible when you are memorizing verses. If you have more than one Bible, chose the one you want to use for memorization. Your eyes will learn where different things are on a page. Your brain can use the visual cues to help you remember things. Studying on a device or only with note cards does not provide the visual/spatial context necessary to help with memorization.
- Still, it can be helpful, in addition to reading your Bible, to write verses on cards or sticky notes and post them in highly visible places. This is especially helpful with meditating on truth throughout the day and reminding yourself of truth that you are struggling to believe or walk in.
- Use songs when possible. Seeds Family Worship has songs that come directly from Scriptures. These aren't just for kids! Adults can benefit from Scripture-based songs too.
- Make the verse a password for getting something. Do you want to roll the windows down? What is your verse? Do you want to pick a song to hear? What is your verse? Do you want to go first in the game? What is your verse? Do you want a ride to that event? What is your verse?
- Use a wipe-off board or similar tool to write it again and again. I write it while saying it out loud, erase it, and write it again. It really helps me. This can be boring for children, though, so I often provide kids with a Memory-Tac-Toe page. See the link below for a Memory-Tac-Toe board, or make your own with your favorite activities.
- Memorize Scriptures with your children. It impacts them to know that memorizing God's Word is valuable, and is something we should do our entire lives. Modeling it for them can help them make a life-long habit out of memorizing Scriptures. Plus, it really is something we should be doing.
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not against you." Psalm 119:11
- Say it over and over in your head when you are falling asleep.
- Redeem those wasted moments. Recite your verses in the shower, in the car, while waiting for an appointment, etc. It is amazing how much we can learn just by using those brief minutes that are usually spent checking something on our phones, sitting in traffic, or doing a mindless task. Even a very busy person can add Scripture memory into moments that already exist in the day.
- Review previously memorized verses. Keep the cards you write verses on and review them. Or keep a notebook and list the verses you have memorized so you can review them. I have a "pocket" Bible that I use for memorization so I can easily take it with me places. I highlight verses when I memorize them. Then I can go through it and review the highlighted verses any time. This is also very helpful for memorizing long passages, chapters, or even books of the Bible. *I also look forward to my children having this Bible later in their lives, as a testimony to how their mama loved God's Word and hid it in her heart so she could live it in her life and draw closer to God.
- Another way to review longer passages, chapters, or books is by reciting along with an audio Bible. I use the YouVersion Bible app. Pick your translation and passage, and then click the audio. I do this a lot when I am in the car. It is amazing how much less traffic bothers me when I'm thinking about the Word. :)
- Make it a habit. When you find something that works well for you, make it part of your daily life.
*Remember, like all of our spiritual disciplines, Scripture memory is something we do in the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter your age or perceived ability to memorize things easy, you CAN and SHOULD memorize Scripture. Prayer is key. The Holy Spirit will empower you. When you get discouraged, ask Him to help you. Remind yourself to do it in His strength, and not your own. The devil does not want you to do this. You will be discouraged and distracted sometimes. But don't give up. God has all power, and He is for you.
Here are some tips.
- Set a measurable, attainable goal. Write it down. Do you want to learn 1 verse a week? 1 chapter a month? Romans 8 by the end of next month? You decide what your goal is.
- Make a plan for reaching that goal. What are you going to do? How are you going to reach that goal? Keep reading for some tips that I am familiar with or that I regularly do. But you might also have some strategies that work for you. Make a plan for reaching your personal goal.
- Start with prayer. Every time to come to the Word of God, come prayerfully. Ask the Lord to help you understand and memorize it. Ask Him to help you apply it in your life.
- Learn a phrase at a time. Even when I am memorizing long sections, I work on it phrase by phrase. When I have the first phrase, then I add the second phrase and practice those together. Then I add the next phrase. Don't try to do chunks that are too big all at once.
- Use an actual Bible when you are memorizing verses. If you have more than one Bible, chose the one you want to use for memorization. Your eyes will learn where different things are on a page. Your brain can use the visual cues to help you remember things. Studying on a device or only with note cards does not provide the visual/spatial context necessary to help with memorization.
- Still, it can be helpful, in addition to reading your Bible, to write verses on cards or sticky notes and post them in highly visible places. This is especially helpful with meditating on truth throughout the day and reminding yourself of truth that you are struggling to believe or walk in.
- Use songs when possible. Seeds Family Worship has songs that come directly from Scriptures. These aren't just for kids! Adults can benefit from Scripture-based songs too.
- Make the verse a password for getting something. Do you want to roll the windows down? What is your verse? Do you want to pick a song to hear? What is your verse? Do you want to go first in the game? What is your verse? Do you want a ride to that event? What is your verse?
- Use a wipe-off board or similar tool to write it again and again. I write it while saying it out loud, erase it, and write it again. It really helps me. This can be boring for children, though, so I often provide kids with a Memory-Tac-Toe page. See the link below for a Memory-Tac-Toe board, or make your own with your favorite activities.
- Memorize Scriptures with your children. It impacts them to know that memorizing God's Word is valuable, and is something we should do our entire lives. Modeling it for them can help them make a life-long habit out of memorizing Scriptures. Plus, it really is something we should be doing.
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not against you." Psalm 119:11
- Say it over and over in your head when you are falling asleep.
- Redeem those wasted moments. Recite your verses in the shower, in the car, while waiting for an appointment, etc. It is amazing how much we can learn just by using those brief minutes that are usually spent checking something on our phones, sitting in traffic, or doing a mindless task. Even a very busy person can add Scripture memory into moments that already exist in the day.
- Review previously memorized verses. Keep the cards you write verses on and review them. Or keep a notebook and list the verses you have memorized so you can review them. I have a "pocket" Bible that I use for memorization so I can easily take it with me places. I highlight verses when I memorize them. Then I can go through it and review the highlighted verses any time. This is also very helpful for memorizing long passages, chapters, or even books of the Bible. *I also look forward to my children having this Bible later in their lives, as a testimony to how their mama loved God's Word and hid it in her heart so she could live it in her life and draw closer to God.
- Another way to review longer passages, chapters, or books is by reciting along with an audio Bible. I use the YouVersion Bible app. Pick your translation and passage, and then click the audio. I do this a lot when I am in the car. It is amazing how much less traffic bothers me when I'm thinking about the Word. :)
- Make it a habit. When you find something that works well for you, make it part of your daily life.
*Remember, like all of our spiritual disciplines, Scripture memory is something we do in the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter your age or perceived ability to memorize things easy, you CAN and SHOULD memorize Scripture. Prayer is key. The Holy Spirit will empower you. When you get discouraged, ask Him to help you. Remind yourself to do it in His strength, and not your own. The devil does not want you to do this. You will be discouraged and distracted sometimes. But don't give up. God has all power, and He is for you.
Here is the Memory-Tac-Toe board, but you can easily make your own with your favorite activities.
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