A study by Lifeway found that the greatest indicator of whether a child will walk with God as an adult is Bible reading when they’re young.
Stoyan Zaimov, writing in the Christian Post offers several suggestions to help parents get their children excited about reading the Bible.
First, and most powerfully, convey your own delight in God’s Word. Demonstrate that the Bible lights up your life. If you’re not excited about the Bible, you can’t expect your children to be.
Next, be an enthusiastic teacher. Zaimov says there’s nothing more infectious than an enthusiastic teacher or parent who communicates delight in the Bible. Let your body language, expressions, and tone of voice transmit vigor and vitality. Work at showing how even one part of the passage applies to your children’s lives.
Also, don’t forget the importance of worship and its impact on Bible reading. Dr. Joel Beeke he used to wake up his children every Sunday morning with, “Welcome to the best day of the week. We get to worship God today and to hear his voice!” Ensure your children don’t view church-going as a mere legalistic duty.
And Lastly, you can infect your children with delight in the Word by showing on a daily basis how your own Bible reading impacts you. Try to make a daily point of finding something to share with your children from your own devotions.
Or try to show the Bible’s relevance to everyday life as an opportunity arises.
Zaimov says sustained and sincere communication of your delight in the Bible will do more than anything else to attract your children to God’s Word and discover the source of your own joy.