How to Disciple Your Kids in a Fun & Engaging Way
One of our jobs as parents is to teach our kids right from wrong, and discipling them is one of our primary ministries as followers of Jesus Christ. Believe it or not, this process starts on day one. As babies, our kids are experiencing the love of Jesus through how we love and interact with them. As they grow up, they learn about gratitude, kindness, leadership, forgiveness, discipline, hope, and truth — all things that point to the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
As parents, we have the amazing privilege and unique opportunity to share the love of Christ to our children and guide them towards a life that includes Jesus! We need to show them that the Bible was given to us as an instruction manual for our lives. We can’t just rely on the leaders at our church — we must make it a priority within the walls of our homes.
So, how do we start? Here’s a tip — make it fun! In this blog, we outline a few ideas of ways to disciple kids in a fun and engaging way. Since all of our kids are different, the way we disciple them is going to be different too. Customize these ideas based on your kids’ personalities and make it fit your family. We recommend starting small and simple, and slowly begin to implement some new traditions into your routines. Before you know it, these will become second nature for your kids.
Family Worship & Bible Time
Try a “worship dance party” night, and include instruments and pretend microphones. Be sure that the entire family is involved in choosing the songs. After worship time, or whatever time is appropriate, commit to reading Bible stories together. Make it fun by having your children play certain roles and create a mini skit from the Bible story. Or, find Bible cartoons on YouTube that give your children a visual to the story they just read. Interacting with the Bible stories is what helps kids to remember them! Learn along with your child and discover what engages them in the Bible story.
Rhymes & Songs
Kids learn best through repetition. Teach them the books of the Bible through a song, introducing a few new parts at a time. Listen to Scripture songs when driving in the car. Have your kids make up their own song or rhyme based on Bible stories. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with and how quickly they can memorize their new song! For some inspiration, check out our podcast with Lisa Landis, host of WJTL’s Kid’s Cookie Break, where we explore fun Bible songs!
Prayer
Prayer is certainly an important part of our daily walk with Jesus. Set an example and be sure to pray throughout the day. Sitting in traffic in the car? Pray! Have a sick family member? Pray! Heading to a playdate at the park? Pray! Teach them how to pray in a variety of situations, good and bad. To help teach your kids how to pray, create a Family Prayer Jar!
Imagination
This is where kids truly shine! Encourage them to use their imagination to create a work of art based on a Bible story. Be sure to label the “drawing” with the appropriate Bible story and keep a scrapbook full of their creations! This will be so fun for them to look back on as they grow up.
Physical Activity
Get creative and include physical activities to accompany the Bible stories. Since children enjoy being active, be sure that your Bible time isn’t confined to the dinner table or their bed. For example, read the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), then encourage the kids to go climb a tree and pretend to look for someone far away!
In order for the lessons you teach your children to really sink in, be sure to use things that happen throughout the day to reinforce the teachings. This is how our kids will begin to apply Biblical truth to their everyday lives and truly believe that the Bible is relevant and exciting.
At Bible2School, our curriculum is written specifically for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Our lessons are FUN and encourage creativity. Learn more about our program and how you can bring Bible2School to your community!
For more information on how to disciple kids in your life, check out this podcast episode with Don MacLafferty, Founder & President of In Discipleship.
Relevant Bible Verses
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words that I give you today. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. Write them down, and tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
– Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
– Deuteronomy 11:19
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6
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