Reading the Bible as a family was once a common practice as parents and children sat down together to share, study, and discuss the word of God. However, today’s hectic pace and worldly temptations have resulted in this family activity getting pushed farther and farther back on the to-do list until it rarely, if ever, happens in many Christian homes.

And yet scripture tells us that we are to study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).

It is absolutely vital that we read the Bible together as a family not just when we remember to or when it is convenient, but every day without fail. We have a responsibility to teach our children to study scripture just as we have a responsibility to do it ourselves.

Souls hang in the balance.

When you take time each day to pray and dive into the word of God amazing transformations take place.

It helps prevent sin in their lives.

The more you read and study the Word, the more it is written on your heart. When you read the Bible with your family, you are giving them that gift. It will become part of their words, actions, and thoughts so that everything they do will be measured against scripture and will help them avoid sin.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

Children are trained up in the way they should go.

When you regularly and consistently bring your children into your family Bible reading you teach them the things that will help them have a right life that glorifies God. They will develop a habit if reading scripture and studying out portions that they don’t understand. And they can carry that into adulthood.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

They have a guide for living righteously.

When they are flooding their minds and hearts with scripture they have a guide for living a righteous life. It gives parents guidance for correction in their own lives as well as their children’s.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

They learn how to spot false teachers.

If you don’t know the Word of God you can’t identify false teaching when it is presented to you – and scripture tells us that we will encounter false teachers. Having the biblical knowledge from regular, daily study and reading teaches your family how to identify false teaching when they encounter it.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

They learn faith.

Faith is mentioned 336 times in the King James Bible. We are told to have faith in God, to trust in Him for ALL our needs. We are to trust him to carry us through the difficult times and help our families when we cannot. Studying the Word increases that faith by showing us God’s promises and promises fulfilled over and over, story after story.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

They learn how to love.

For many, love is a rather abstract term, but in the Bible the instructions for how to love are abundantly clear. And when we walk our family through the Bible daily, we teach them a love that far exceeds the love that the world knows, we teach them the unconditional Christ-like love that all who walk with Him are commanded to have – and share.

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21

They learn what it takes to be saved.

In the end, the destination of our eternal souls is of utmost importance and there is no other way they can learn exactly how to do it than from God Himself through His word.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31

Reading the Bible with your family is not just a fun activity, although it can bring you all closer, but we are commanded to do it over and over in scripture. We are told to teach the gospel and to take care of our family.

The very best way to love your family is to teach them to pray and teach them to love God’s word.