It’s a beautiful thing to watch children learn about God and the wonderful stories in the Bible. But sometimes, it can feel tricky to help those stories move from their heads into their hearts, growing into a real and personal connection with God.
As we guide our kids through childhood and prepare them for the world, nurturing their faith can be a gentle, natural part of their journey. Think of it as planting a tiny seed early on, something we can care for together as they grow, hoping to encourage a faith that is truly their own and provides a strong foundation for whatever life brings.
One simple way to nurture this personal faith is by exploring Bible stories together at home. Just opening the Scriptures, chatting about what the words mean, and maybe even doing a simple activity to bring the story to life can make a big difference. Our hope is to cultivate a faith in God that is strong and true for them, a steady anchor as they navigate life’s ups and downs.
This blog includes simple Bible lessons paired with hands-on activities to help you spend time in Scriptures in your home.
In this blog post:
- How to help children develop their faith
- Benefits of hands-on Bible activities for children
- 10 simple Bible lessons to help children grow a relationship with God
- Try a free week of Flourish Family Bible Curriculum
- Family Bible resources from Treehouse Schoolhouse
How to help children develop their faith
To help your children build a strong and lasting faith in God, it’s important to do more than just tell them Bible stories or give them rules to follow. You want them to truly understand and feel connected to the gospel.
Begin by sharing the big story of the Bible – how much God loves us, from when He created everything to when He sent Jesus to save us. Focus on who God is – loving, fair, kind, and always there for us – and show how the Bible stories tell us about these qualities. Ask your child to narrate the stories. Let your children ask questions and talk about what they think and feel as they learn. All of this helps them understand the gospel and internalize the stories.
Make talking to God through prayer a normal part of your day, and teach children they can speak to Him about anything. Introduce them to the Bible in a way that makes sense for their age, so they can start to learn God’s words for themselves. Most importantly, let your children see your own faith in action. When they see you trusting God and living by His teachings, it shows them what it looks like to follow Christ. By doing these things regularly, you create space for your children’s faith to grow stronger and deeper as they get older.
Related: How Do I Explain the Gospel to My Children?
Benefits of hands-on Bible activities for children
To help your children truly connect with Bible stories, try adding simple hands-on activities. Instead of just listening, kids can learn by doing. For example, after hearing a story, they could copy a key verse and draw a picture that shows what it means to them. Or, you could play a simple game that illustrates the main point of the lesson. These kinds of activities make the Bible stories feel more real and help children understand how the teachings apply to their own lives. When kids are actively involved, they’re more likely to remember the lessons and develop a deeper, more personal understanding of what it means to follow God. These experiences can create lasting memories and shape their understanding of their identity as children of God.
Related: Favorite Bible Books and Podcasts for Children
10 simple Bible lessons to help children grow a relationship with God
Here are 10 simple Bible lessons, founded in Scripture, and activities to help children develop their relationship with God and make it more meaningful in their lives.
Related: Identity in Christ Children’s Bible Lesson [Free Download]
Celebrating how God created each person and made them special.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31
Lesson: God created all things. While everything has a purpose, the most uniquely loved creations of God are people.
Activity: Draw or paint a self-portrait and write a list of things you love about how God made you somewhere on the paper.
View the full lesson in Rooted Family Bible Curriculum.
Teaching children about the spiritual family of God.
Scripture: Mark 3:31-35
Lesson: Jesus says that when we are followers of God, we have a spiritual family – all believers! We gain a heavenly Father and brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world when we decide to become Christians.
Activity: Brainstorm how you can bless another family in the body of Christ with an encouraging letter, homemade baked good, or an act of service. Make a plan to do it.
View the full lesson in Rooted Family Bible Curriculum.
Encouraging children to abide in the love of Christ.
Scripture: John 15:1-11
Lesson: Jesus tells His disciples to abide in His love and to bear fruit. Abiding in Jesus means having an ongoing relationship with Him – talking to Him, reading His word, obeying His commands, and worshipping Him. This is how we grow our friendship with God.
Activity: Draw or paint a picture of a wine with leaves and fruit. Write John 15:5 somewhere on the paper.
View the full lesson in Rooted Family Bible Curriculum.
Praising God for giving us the Scriptures to follow.
Scripture: Psalm 119:97-112
Lesson: David talks about his love for God’s Word and all it does for him. When we live dedicated to knowing, understanding, and following God’s Word, we will see the fruit in our lives. The Word of God will be like a sweet honey and a light to our path.
Activity: Write a new psalm to God about your love for His word. Use Psalm 119 as inspiration.
View the full lesson in Rooted Family Bible Curriculum.
Related: Inspiring Children with Stories of Heroes
Teaching children about living a life of wisdom.
Scripture: Proverbs 3
Lesson: Proverbs 3 is full of wisdom that instructs us how to live. Notice the cause and effect statements in verses 1-12. Living a life of wisdom is more precious than gold and it is available for everyone. Finding and walking in wisdom requires a life dedicated to seeking God and continually choosing to walk on the path of life.
Activity: Hide “treasures” for your children to find, such as coins or candy. As they hunt for the treasure, say “wisdom” when they get near to it and “folly” when they move farther away.
View the full lesson in Rooted Family Bible Curriculum.
Using the Word of God to become more like Christ.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Ephesians 5:1-2
Lesson: The Word of God is full of instructions on how to live our lives. When we aren’t sure how to fulfill our mission on earth, we can always go back to studying and following the Bible. Loving God and becoming like Christ is our first priority, above all else.
Activity: Make a map of your neighborhood. Draw your home, the homes on your street, and the closest playground or store. Take a walk or drive, and have your child use the map to navigate.
View the full lesson in Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.
Explaining to children what it means to live in the light.
Scriptures: John 1:1-9 and 1 John 1:5-10
Lesson: Jesus came to the earth to be light and dispel darkness. Darkness can never overtake light. One small flame can light up a room and no amount of darkness surrounding it can put the flame out. Living in the light does not mean being perfect and sinless. It means staying humble and confessing our sins to God.
Activity: The moon has no light of its own, but is visible because it reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, believers reflect the light of Jesus so that all can see it in us.
Study the moon and how it reflects the sun’s light. Draw a picture and write about what you learn.
View the full lesson in Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.
Discovering our own unique Christian gifts.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-12
Lesson: We are all given various gifts, but they were all given from the same God. These gifts were given to us to be used to benefit everyone, not only for our own good. This passage lists some gifts of the spirit, but there are more throughout the Bible. As we grow in our walk with God, we will discover our own gifts and how we can best use them in the body of Christ and in the world.
Activity: Look up a list of spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible. Talk about which gifts you think each person may have in your family. Lay hands on each person and pray for them, asking God to “fan into flame their gifts” (2 Timothy 1:6).
View the full lesson in Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.
Learning how to treat one with patience and forgiveness.
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:1-3 and Colossians 3:12-14
Lesson: In two different letters, to two different churches, Paul gives a very similar set of commands to each one about how to treat one another. In both, Paul calls these early churches to have a patience that leads to forgiveness between brothers and sisters in Christ.
Activity: Do an Internet search or look through Paul’s letters in your Bible. How many times does Paul mention this virtue to other churches?
View the full lesson in Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.
Living with integrity and helping those in need.
Scriptures: Matthew 25:34-40 and James 4:17
Lesson: Matthew tells one of Jesus’ final recorded instructions. He describes those at the judgment who lived lives full of integrity. Their lives consisted of doing things for others in need. As Jesus tells them, when they were simply trying to do the right thing by helping others, it was the same as doing these acts of service to Christ himself.
Activity: Think of someone you know who is sick/homebound and visit with them. Make a card or goodies to bring to them; reminding them of God’s love for them.
View the full lesson in Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.
Try a free week of Flourish Family Bible Curriculum
To dive deeper into teaching contentment in your home, try a free week of Flourish Family Bible Curriculum, Week 7: I am thankful and content for what I have.
Flourish Family Bible Curriculum is an 18-week family Bible curriculum. Each week centers around one declaration statement related to the themes of Mission, Virtue, and Love. Flourish incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study. Enjoy the rhythms of connection and beauty found in our beloved Rooted Family Bible Curriculum with a focus on bearing fruit through our lives in the world around us.
Try a free week of Flourish Family Bible Curriculum here.
Family Bible resources from Treehouse Schoolhouse
If you are looking for ways to study the Scriptures together with your family in a meaningful way, consider these Bible resources and curriculum options from Treehouse Schoolhouse. These are suitable for Morning Time learning, homeschool curriculum or family Bible study. All of these studies are suitable for children of multiple ages to study and learn together.
Rooted Family Bible Curriculum
Rooted Family Bible Curriculum is a family Bible curriculum designed to cultivate deep roots in the rich soil of God’s Word.
Embark on a journey of the heart guided by Scripture, beauty, art, hands-on connections, and family discussion. Instill courage, confidence, and Biblical character in your children by rooting them in their heavenly identity, their devotion to God, and the wisdom of Scripture. It’s about giving children a solid root system in the Word of God before we launch them into the world.
Rooted is an 18-week family Bible curriculum. Each week centers around one declaration statement related to the themes of Identity, Devotion, and Wisdom. Rooted incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study.
Related: Introducing Rooted Family Bible Curriculum
Flourish Family Bible Curriculum
Flourish Family Bible Curriculum is a family Bible curriculum to cultivate virtues that produce fruit in the world around us. Flourish is an 18-week family Bible curriculum centering on themes of Mission, Virtue, and Love. Flourish incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study. Enjoy the rhythms of connection and beauty found in our beloved Rooted Family Bible Curriculum with a focus on bearing fruit through our lives in the world around us.
Related: Introducing Flourish Family Bible Curriculum
A Connected Christmas
A Connected Christmas is a curriculum designed to connect hearts to the heart of Christmas – to the truth of Jesus coming to earth to seek and save the lost. Explore the nativity story through Scripture readings to delight in festive carols, stories, poetry, art, baking, and handcrafts.
Related: How to Use A Connected Christmas with All Ages
A Virtuous Valentine’s
A Virtuous Valentine’s is a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum designed with your whole family in mind. It’s an invitation to study the life-changing love of God in a hands-on way. Through Scripture readings, beauty subjects, picture books, hands-on activities, and a look into the history of Valentine’s Day, this study provides an invitation to delve into the profound depth of God’s love and how it shapes our relationships. We’ll explore how God’s love is unconditional, how love is expressed through acts of kindness and encouragement, how compassion and empathy can change hearts and lives, and how true love is demonstrated through selflessness and sacrifice. Your study will conclude by celebrating and creating memories together with a Valentine’s Day Tea Party.
Related: 10 Activities for Teaching Kindness to Children and Kids
An Expectant Easter
Use An Expectant Easter to focus on what Easter is all about through Bible stories, hymns, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, and more. Connect and focus on the newness of Spring, the sacrifice Jesus made, and the power of His resurrection.
Related: Curriculum Overview: An Expectant Easter
Light the Way Scripture Memory Set
Light the Way includes 24 weeks of daily scripture memory activities. Children can recite, write, draw, or interact with character-building scriptures as they commit them to memory. This can be used alongside the devotional book Our 24 Family Ways by Clay Clarkson or independently as an intentional scripture memory tool.
Related: 7 Tips to Help Children Memorize Scripture
How do you encourage your children’s faith and spirituality in your home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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