Today marks the beginning of "40 Days In The Word" at Jacob's Well Church. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am very excited for the consistency and accountability that this experience will bring for reading and applying the bible to my own life. But then I started thinking about all of the obstacles that would prevent students from reading the bible and then got to thinking about how we can help remove some of those obstacles. So here are my top five ways to help your student read their bible for the next 40 days.
(in no particular order)
1. Get them a bible they love! As sentimental as giving your child their grandma's old King James Version Bible, it might not be the best for them to use. Get a Bible in the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT). These are easier to read and are more common than others. Also, look for a Bible that is a "Study" Bible or an "Application" Bible or even a bible that is created specifically for their age group. Check these out!
2. Model it! Allow your student to see you reading your bible. Read your bible in front of them. Talk about it in front of them. They need to see you excited about it.
3. Do it together but separately. Set aside the time of the day when everyone in your family is going to be reading the bible for the day. You don't have to read as a group or even in the same room. Read the bible separately but at the same time. (adapted from anonymous follower)
4. Write verses on the mirrors of the house. This will help you memorize them and if your child wants to see how they look for the day they'll have to read it and some students spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. (adapted from anonymous follower)
5. Share first, ask later. Many middle schoolers will not share what their learning right away. So don't ask right away. Instead, share with them what you've learned without obligation to respond at first and then after a couple of days ask them what they think.
6. Cross Stitch it Everywhere! On their pillow, on their backpack, on their clothes, on your clothes, on the tablecloth, and on the bedsheets and blankets. Don't know how to cross stitch? Watch a series of 14 instructional videos here!
I'm sure these are not even the best ideas but I've got the ball rolling. Add your ideas in the Comment Section below.
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