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We have been homeschooling for just about 7 years. During that time we have done bible studies as part of our homeschooling. Whether included in our curriculum or as a separate study, we have made sure the Word was a part of our lives. Just about a year ago, we also began studying the bible as a family in the evenings. Today I am sharing with you the strategies we have used to make that happen!
1. Decide whether you will use a study guide or devotional book, or if you prefer to simply use the Bible alone. When we began doing this last year, we chose to use a study that was put out by our church. We loved our church and the leaders there, so we knew their devotional book would be filled with godly wisdom. The Bible itself is a wonderful choice and if you prefer to simply use it, no aids included, then that is a terrific method, too!
2. Include your younger children, even if the content seems ‘over their heads'. By this I mean younger children, of elementary age. They may not ‘get' everything, but God's word does not return void and they will pick up more than you think.
3. Make coloring books or other drawing materials, even quiet toys, available to your very young ones while reading. If you are a family that has children of a wide age range, much like we do, you know that the little ones do not always sit quietly. While we have not included our littlest two in our evening readings yet, we will soon and this is the strategy I plan to include to help keep them quiet and engaged. We have done this in the past with our homeschool read alouds and it has worked very well!
4. Ask questions. Many devotionals, study guides, and bibles include questions for you to answer as you read. They are often very thought-provoking questions, and discussing what you have read with your children will help you all to remember it. You may also be surprised at the insightful answers and different perspectives your children bring to the discussion.
5. Pray together. Be sure to begin or end (or both!) your study time together with prayer. One thing we have done after our readings is to ask each person to name their favorite thing from that day. We felt it would be a good way to show gratefulness, much like giving a praise report. Most of the time our children have not been able to choose only one thing! Our hope and prayer is that, as we continue with our studies and they grow older, this will be a very special time for our family and that it will draw us closer together and to Him.
6. Talk about what you are learning throughout the day or week. Apply the verses, questions, and answers to your daily lives! This will help you to see where you or your children need to correct attitudes and habits, as well as where you are already making great progress.
I do hope you will consider using these strategies to include bible study in your home if you have not done so. And if you are already enjoying family bible time, I would love to hear how YOU do it. Please leave a comment to tell me YOUR strategy!
Wendy is a homeschooling mama to five who loves to encourage others along the homeschooling journey. She also considers herself a ‘foodie' and is always ready to try a new recipe in the kitchen. You will find Wendy writing about homeschooling, food, and other life events on her blog, Following in His Footsteps. She has also recently begun a new venture with Southern Test Kitchen, and is a brand new allergy-friendly recipes contributor over at Managing Your Blessings, so be sure to look for her recipes and ideas in the coming months! Be sure to visit and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter, too!
