5 Creative Ways to Teach Your Kids About Faith

Written by Sara Horn

Summertime is in full swing, and when you’re constantly on the go with the kids and vacations, camps, sports, swimming at the pool, and weekends at the beach or at Grandma’s, it can be a lot harder to find time to bring the whole family together for a Bible study. But take heart! Vacation Bible School doesn’t have to be the only place your kids pick up important faith lessons this summer. All you need is a little creativity and some intentional observation. Try a few of these ideas to get started.

Put Scripture to Song. One easy and fun way to learn Scripture is by putting a memory verse to music, which is also a perfect activity for those long car rides. One of the first Scripture songs I ever taught my son was John 3:16, simply singing the chorus to Jaci Velasquez’s “God So Loved.” Or take a popular tune like “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” and replace the words with a Scripture like Nehemiah 9:17, “You are a forgiving God.” Play a game to see who can put a featured memory verse to a familiar tune the quickest. To get you started, try some of these: Sing Genesis 1:1 to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”; Psalm 106:1 to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”; or Matthew 7:7 to “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”

After learning the new song, take a moment to talk with your child about what the verse means. A teaching moment can just be that—a moment—but you will be amazed at what your child will remember later on after those seeds are planted.

Find God in the Outdoors. Nature is always a great place to start when you want to talk about the power of God, His protection, or His sovereignty. When a summer storm comes up, talk about the need for rain and how God provides what we need while keeping us safe from the lightning and thunder, which can be scary for younger children. Go for a nature walk at a local park or around your neighborhood and ask your child to see how many things she can find that God has made. Let her bring home a leaf or a bird’s feather as a reminder of how God cares for the earth and for us.

Make a Tic-Tac-Toe Memory Card. Another way to encourage your child to memorize Scripture is to create a tic-tac-toe card displaying nine different Scripture verses and references. The goal is for your child to memorize three, crossing off each one as he or she can say it. Keep the card in a central area like the kitchen, so the whole family encourages each other and works together. Give a reward when the card is completed. Your child could pick out of your family’s “treasure toy bag” or a get quick trip for a yummy ice cream treat!

Remember God’s Promises. On a hot, sunny day, get the kids outside playing in the sprinkler or with the garden hose and teach them about God’s promises. Hold up the hose so the water shows off a cascading rainbow through the sunshine. Remind your kids of the rainbow God showed to Noah and how He used it as a sign that He would never again flood the whole world. Talk about other promises God gives us, like those found in Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:19, and Romans 8:37.

Go Stargazing. Take a blanket into the backyard one starry night and enjoy the stars. Tell the story of Abraham and how God promised to make his descendents as numerous as the stars because of his faithfulness (Gen. 22:17). Let each family member pray together under the stars, thanking God for the beauty He gives us and for creating everything—from the stars to your family.

Sara Horn is a mom, wife, writer, and second-grade church choir teacher. Visit her website at sarahorn.com.

 

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