Bible Study Resources for Your Morning Time
When my husband and I first had kids, we somehow thought the idea of "family devotionals" was super stuffy and traditional. Of course we were in our early twenties and knew just about everything about everything. Thankfully, we've grown and matured since then, and have come to value spending time together as a family in God's word.
It does look different at all ages though. You won't be able to sit and have a deep and meaningful discussion with four kids under the age of six. You're just not there yet. You should, however, always build to the next great conversation. Sometimes that means days, weeks, and months of consistent sewing, watering, and tending, but the fruit is always worth it.
I wanted to kick off my 10 Days of Morning Time Resources with a focus on bringing God's Word into your daily routine. There are so many great resources, and your family will be blessed as you seek God first in your day.
Foundational Bible Study Resources
There are so many wonderful Bible story books out there. Even though it doesn't feel like you're getting any official "Bible study" accomplished, knowing the characters and the stories of the Bible lay a foundation for deeper study later. Stories evoke imagination, wonder, and excitement. This is not a safe book!
- The Jesus Storybook Bible
- Two Spies on a Rooftop
- My First Message
- Family Devotional Bible
- Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God
When you all start your day together sharing in the enjoyment of a Bible story, it sets the tone for the day. This is much better than diving straight into math!
Bible Memory Work
Even if you've read all of the stories over and over, chances are, they're not astute enough to draw out the most important ideas that are presented. It's great to have memory work that you can work on together. Here are some great options:
Catechisms
There are many varieties of catechisms (summaries of religious doctrine) out there. Find one that your church uses and add those simple questions and answers to your daily routine. One that our family enjoyed is the New City Catechism. We used the iTunes app which is an amazing resource. It has extra video features which add richness and depth for your older students.
Walk thru the Bible Keyword Learning System
After using this system, you will never look at the books of the Bible the same again. With clever graphics and cheesy puns, the Walk Thru the Bible Keyword Learning System breaks down each book with a keyword or idea to memorize so that you can have the context of the Bible as you study it. Adults need this memory work in their brains!
Classical Conversations Bible Memory work
If you're a Classical Conversations home schooler, you might not be aware that they have Bible memory work that goes along with each cycle. Print the sheets off, and add them to your morning time materials, and you're good to go!
Scripture Memory
Hiding God's Word in our children's hearts is one of the easiest ways to equip them for what's to come. I love the Charlotte Mason Scripture Memory Method for organizing and keeping up with scripture memory work. This is another wonderful skill that if consistently practiced, can reap a bumper crop of fruit before you even know it.
Conversations in the Word
As your students grow older, they're going to be eager to talk more and more about the ideas that you present in your Bible times together. They have great ideas, and they need to be trained to observe the Word and ponder it. Try this simple method together:
- Read the passage aloud (It can be a chapter, a paragraph, or even simply a verse).
- Take a couple of minutes of quiet contemplation to think and observe.
- Read the passage aloud again
- Take a couple of minutes to write down any questions you have of the passage.
- Share your questions.
It's amazing how this simple little process can develop into a beautiful and fruitful conversation. Imagine, just you and your kids, and God's Word. Simple. Beautiful. Precious.
Our time in God's Word is the one unchanging aspect of our morning time. It always holds top billing. It may look differently from week to week, but it is the meat of our time. I look forward to our conversations and learning from my kids.
God is so good!
Get more great Morning Time inspiration from Pam at edSnapshots:
Discover more great resources by reading the full 10 day series:
Day 1: Why Morning Time
Day 2: Bible Study Resources for Your Morning Time
Day 3: Building Character and Virtue During Your Morning Time
Day 4: 5 Simple Resources for Including Science in Your Morning Time
Day 5: 5 Helpful History Resources for Your Morning Time
Day 6: Making the Most of Your Morning Time with Literature
Day 7: 5 Fantastic Art Resources to Bring Beauty to Your Morning Time
Day 8: Morning Time Comes Alive with the Sound of Music
Day 9: Making a Morning Time Plan and Sticking With It
Day 10: Morning Time Storage Solutions
Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.
I love your resources for simple studies. Our mornings always go by so quickly, something shorter works best for us!
Yes! It’s amazing how the time can slip by so quickly. Short and sweet works well for us too.
The idea for conversations is great. I’ve been trying to think of ways to get my older son (only 8, but still…) reflecting more rather than just reading the words and stories!
We’ve had so much fun hearing what our young thinkers come up with. It’s exciting to learn from them as well!
Betsy, I love this collection of ideas! We have used catechisms before, but never New City’s (is that the one from Tim Keller’s church?) I’ve heard good things about it, though, so I’ll have to go check it out! And I love the idea of a Keyword Learning System. We used 30 Days to Understanding the Bible and that was similar: learn 12 eras of Biblical history, a location, main figure and main idea for each. Thanks for these resources!
Lynna, thank you! Yes, the New City was developed by Tim Keller. It’s really well done. I need to check out the 30 days to Understanding the Bible. Did you just use this book: http://amzn.to/29Nkfwr? That looks like a great resource! Thanks for sharing.
I started scripture memory with my kids in basket time this past year and we loved it. We use the Simply Charlotte Mason method, which is pretty much reading it over and over until you know it. It’s amazing how that simple act will hide God’s word in their hearts!
I think that’s what I love about morning time. It seems like nothing will stick when you only spend 5-10 minutes a day on it, and then they know it!
Yes! Great suggestions and so simple and doable too! I will look at Walk Thru the Bible, so glad you shared it! Thank you. – Carlen