Growing Together in God's Word

God has entrusted parents with the responsibility of instructing their children in His Word. Family discipleship is not limited to formal lessons or scheduled Bible studies, but includes the ordinary opportunities of daily life to teach biblical truth, answer questions, and encourage obedience to God.

Learning together helps families grow in their knowledge of God's character, His works, His commands, and His promises. Through Scripture, children and adults alike are equipped to discern truth, understand sound doctrine, and live faithfully before Him.

Parents do not need extensive theological training to begin teaching their children. Faithful instruction begins with opening God's Word, explaining its meaning, and helping children understand how biblical truth applies to their lives.

The goal is not merely to increase biblical knowledge, but to cultivate a growing understanding of God's Word that leads to faith, worship, and obedience. We depend upon the Holy Spirit to grant understanding and produce spiritual growth.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Psalm 78:4–7; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Ephesians 6:4.

How to Learn Together

01 — Choose a Biblical Truth to Study

Begin with a passage of Scripture, a biblical doctrine, or a question your children have about God and His Word. Topics might include God's attributes, creation, sin, salvation, the person and work of Jesus Christ, or Christian obedience.

Use Scripture as the foundation of your instruction. Catechisms, confessions, and other trustworthy teaching resources can help explain biblical doctrine, but they must always remain subordinate to God's Word.

Choose a subject appropriate to your children's ages and understanding. The goal is not to cover large amounts of material, but to help your family understand biblical truth accurately.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; 2 Timothy 3:16–17.

02 — Read and Explain the Scripture

Read the selected passage of Scripture together, giving careful attention to its context and intended meaning. Help your children understand what the passage teaches about God, His works, His commands, and His promises.

Explain unfamiliar words or theological concepts using language appropriate to their ages. Encourage questions and guide your family toward answers grounded in Scripture rather than personal opinions or assumptions.

When studying a doctrine, examine the biblical passages that establish and explain it. Show your children how Scripture interprets Scripture and how individual teachings fit within the whole counsel of God.

Remember that faithful instruction does not require explaining everything at once. Focus on helping your family understand the truth clearly and accurately.

Scripture References: Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15.

03 — Discuss and Reinforce What You Have Learned

Encourage your family to discuss the biblical truths you have studied. Ask questions that help your children recall what Scripture teaches, explain its meaning, and recognize how different passages relate to one another.

Use age-appropriate questions to assess understanding rather than simply memorizing information. Invite younger children to explain a truth in their own words, while encouraging older children to examine Scripture more carefully and articulate what they believe and why.

Reinforce learning through Scripture memorization, catechism questions, and regular review. Resources such as Spurgeon's Catechism and the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith can help families systematically learn and remember biblical doctrine.

Remember that repetition is an important part of instruction. Revisiting foundational truths helps establish a sound understanding of Scripture over time.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Psalm 78:5–7; 2 Timothy 1:13–14.

04 — Apply Biblical Truth in Daily Life

Help your family understand that learning God's Word involves more than acquiring knowledge. Scripture teaches us how to think, what to believe, and how to live in obedience to God.

Discuss how the biblical truths you have studied apply to everyday circumstances, including relationships, responsibilities, decisions, attitudes, and conduct. Encourage your children to recognize the connection between sound doctrine and faithful Christian living.

Remind your family that obedience does not earn salvation or God's favor. Rather, good works are the fruit of genuine faith, produced by God's grace through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Conclude by praying together, asking God to grant understanding, strengthen faith, and enable your family to put His Word into practice.

Scripture References: James 1:22–25; John 14:15; Ephesians 2:8–10; Colossians 1:9–10.

How Do I Start?

Choose the Right Time and Place

Consistency requires intentionality. The best time for family Bible study is the time that actually works for your household rhythm.

  • Breakfast devotions (5-10 minutes before school)

  • Dinner table discussions (15-20 minutes after the meal)

  • Bedtime Bible stories (10-15 minutes as part of the nighttime routine)

  • Sunday evening wrap-up (20-30 minutes to close the weekend)

  • Use illustrated children’s Bibles with engaging stories

    • Focus on narrative passages (Creation, Noah, David and Goliath, Jesus’ miracles)

    • Keep sessions to 10-15 minutes maximum

    • Include coloring pages or simple crafts related to the story

    • Introduce a readable translation like the NIV or CSB

    • Explore character studies and practical wisdom from Proverbs

    • Ask open-ended questions that encourage thinking

    • Use 15-20 minute sessions with interactive elements

    • Tackle challenging topics and apologetics questions

    • Study epistles and prophetic books alongside narratives

    • Encourage teens to lead discussions or choose passages

    • Extend sessions to 20-30 minutes with deeper dialogue

    • Choose narrative passages that work on multiple levels

    • Assign age-appropriate roles (younger kids act out stories, older kids read aloud)

    • Ask questions tailored to different developmental stages

    • Celebrate that everyone learns something different from the same passage

Helpful but optional

📖 A Bible dictionary or concordance for looking up unfamiliar terms

📖 A devotional book designed for families

📖 Bible story coloring pages for young children

📖 A whiteboard for illustrating concepts or writing memory verses

Essential Resources

✅ Bibles for everyone (age-appropriate translations)

✅ A simple study plan or devotional guide (You can create one or find one that works for your family)

✅ Notebooks or journals for older kids to record insights

✅ Pens, highlighters, or colored pencils

Interactive ideas:

🎭 Act it out: Assign family members different characters and dramatize the story

🎨 Create visual reminders: Draw pictures, make posters, or craft items related to the passage

🎵 Sing together: Find worship songs that connect to the theme

🏆 Memory verse challenges: Offer small rewards for memorizing key verses

❓ Question jar: Let kids write questions about God or the Bible throughout the week and address them during family study time

📝 Journaling prompts: Give older kids specific questions to write about after the discussion

Using Printable Bible Studies and Devotionals

Quality study guides remove the preparation burden and ensure theological accuracy.

Benefits of structured study guides:

📚 Save preparation time: Someone else has done the research and crafted the questions

📚 Ensure theological soundness: You can trust the content is biblically accurate

📚 Provide discussion questions: No more awkward silences wondering what to ask

📚 Include application ideas: Practical next steps are already identified

📚 Offer age-appropriate activities: Many guides include options for different age groups

When choosing a devotional or study guide, look for resources that:

  • Are firmly rooted in Scripture (not just inspirational thoughts)

  • Ask open-ended questions that promote discussion

  • Include clear application steps

  • Match your family’s spiritual maturity level

  • Fit your available time commitment

Learning Resources

Not sure if I should link it to the Our Doctrine page, or have it open to a new section within this area?

This will open to the memory cards by age. Just need to decide if it has links directly here, or opens to a new page. Might be easier to link here. Or I could add an accordion thing here.

Little Hearts (Ages 3–5)

Growing in Truth (Ages 8–12)‍ ‍

Rooted in the Word (Ages 13–18)

Not sure what to add here; need guidance from overseer. Need approved resources

Recommended Areas of Study

  • Understanding Scripture — Biblical context, interpretation, and the relationship between Old and New Testaments.

  • The Attributes of God — God's holiness, sovereignty, wisdom, goodness, and other divine perfections.

  • The Doctrines of Grace — Sin, election, redemption, regeneration, conversion, and perseverance.

  • Christian Living — Sanctification, obedience, discernment, and faithful participation in the local church.

Not sure what to add here; need guidance from overseer.

Practical Areas of Family Discipleship

  • Family Worship — Establishing regular times for reading Scripture, praying together, and learning biblical truth.

  • Everyday Instruction — Using ordinary conversations and experiences to teach God's Word.

  • Biblical Conversations — Helping children ask thoughtful questions and understand Scripture's answers.

  • Christian Character — Teaching obedience, humility, repentance, forgiveness, and love according to Scripture.

  • Growing Together — Encouraging family members to participate faithfully in the worship, fellowship, and service of the local church.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Psalm 78:4–7; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:16.

  • I could link the items here

  • Downside, is I dont think I can link the icons here, but I could just make a link that goes to the pages for respective age groups.

  • Not sure if these two go together anymore; need elder imput

  • I can just add the language here if needed. I can also link things.