For the last several years, our morning routine has consisted of our kids having their own quiet time for about 15 minutes, followed by breakfast and a devotional.
A great way to round out our morning before they start school work or chores has been to gather together and read from a gospel-centered devotion as we’re finishing up eggs and cereal.
J.C. Ryle once said, “But if you love your children, let the simple Bible be everything in the training of their souls and let all other books take second place.” While they shouldn’t take the place of Scripture, devotions can be a great addition to your kids’ daily Bible reading.
Devotions often underscore key theological concepts, leading to a greater understanding of truth. Your children can learn doctrine in a simple and engaging way through stories and illustrations that relate to what they face in everyday life. And those doctrines are the pillars their faith will rest on!
These 10 children’s devotions and Bible studies will give your kids an in-depth knowledge of Scripture and help grow their faith.
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1. Indescribable
There aren’t many Christian based science books for kids on the market. I am so thrilled that Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God & Science actually pairs scientific fact with a children’s devotional.
One hundred devotions cover topics from all areas of science including creation, animals, dinosaurs, space, molecules, anatomy, geology and fossils, the weather and yes, it even confronts evolutionary theory! Each topic includes fascinating scientific facts, a life application, hands-on activities, and a closing prayer.
I really appreciate that the author invites kids to think about the questions they encounter in day-to-day life, while being led from scientific fact right into devotion and worship.
The devotions are written in a simple, straightforward way that connects with and engages young kids, because they relate to what children face on a regular basis.
Even though it’s a quick morning read, this book has sparked some great discussions with my kids about the world around them. I love that they’re not only learning about science, but more importantly, that science and faith aren’t mutually exclusive!
2. The Ology
Though it reads more like a storybook, I really enjoyed going through this devotion with my children last year. Beautifully illustrated, The Ology takes complex theological truths and makes them simple (not watered down).
It introduces kids to the fundamentals of Christianity through storytelling while also making the Gospel crystal clear.
We each took turns reading the 2-3 page chapters and then I’d divide the corresponding verses between my kids to look up. Finally, we’d end our time with insightful, straightforward questions at the back of the book which helped them think more about what they just heard and read.
3. David C Cook Family Devotionals
Though brief, these David C Cook Family Devotionals pack a lot of biblical truth into each day’s reading and are an excellent way to introduce your kids to each person of the Trinity. Simple, yet meaningful, these devotions provide life-changing truth for every day of the year.
Each chapter opens with a Bible verse, followed by a poetry-style passage to read aloud to your children. There is a specific parent section, that includes comments with depth for you, and a section for your kids with a thought-provoking topic or question that provides a launching point for life application.
What I loved about these devotions was that they provided a growing experience for me as a parent right alongside of my children. They feature simplified doctrine with easy-to-understand language so kids will be engaged and able to follow along, but their theological depth strengthens adults’ faith as well!
4. Spurgeon Stories for Children
Minister Tony Hutter has taken 52 stories from the life of Charles Spurgeon- and from his grandfather James’ life- and transformed them into short, 2-page devotions for children under the age of 12.
Many of the stories center on Spurgeon’s childhood and early preaching career (which he began at 17!), so this makes them especially relatable to young readers.
Each devotional begins and ends with a Bible verse, and the stories help illustrate this verse so that kids can apply the line of thought to their own life. Mr. Hutter addresses the stories directly to children, like a grandfather telling stories around the fire.
The first of Spurgeon Stories for Children is called How a Spider Saved a Man’s Life, which includes a delightful story about a man who escaped martyrdom by hiding in a kiln that a spider would later spin a web over.
The man’s pursuers reasoned that he couldn’t possibly be hiding in there, since no one would be able to sneak past a fully formed spider’s web!
5. Not Consumed Kids’ Bible Studies
As a Christian parent, what we want most for our kids is a lasting faith that changes them from the inside out. These kids’ 4-week Bible studies are designed to help kids get into God’s Word and learn the life-changing truth they need to become more like Christ.
There’s something for everyone ages 4 and up, including lessons about obedience, contentment, making wise choices, developing a quiet time, the power of words, and sibling relationships!
Colorful and engaging, each study comes with stickers, a bookmark, and scripture cards that are perfect for memorizing key verses.
6. Positive Action Bible Curriculum
This Bible study for grades K-5 can be self-paced or done alongside of a parent. Each of the colorful workbooks include daily scriptures to memorize and engaging lessons that teach and reinforce biblical truths.
It’s great because it encourages kids to search the Bible every day for answers to hard, real life questions. Positive Action Bible Curriculum helps students learn about the God of the Word, not just about the Word of God!
Teaching children to seek the majesty and grace of God in everything, it aims to magnify His majesty, works and nature, and helps them look for how He reveals Himself through a message that shines through context, culture and language.
7. Exploring the Bible
Exploring the Bible leads kids ages 6–12 through the Bible one day at a time over the course of a year. For use alongside any Bible, this workbook will help them see the overarching story of God’s Word and lay the foundation for a lifetime of discovering truths about God, humanity and the Gospel.
This Bible reading plan has it all―engaging graphics, kid-sized reading assignments, space for reflection and helpful commentary. It is composed of 6 lessons for each week, with a section to complete sermon notes for Sunday. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete each day, which most kids should be able to do independently.
I love that the lessons within the study do not have interpretation or explanations. It simply takes chronological and methodical steps through the Bible by following the major characters and themes.
I honestly think this should be tweaked into a Bible study for adults who were not raised knowing the basic stories of the Bible!
8. Our 24 Family Ways
Our 24 Family Ways is a Bible-centered family time resource that seamlessly weaves together devotional interaction with discipleship instruction for the whole family.
This is a wonderful tool to train your children in the way they should go, teach them Bible truths and principles, train them in Christian character and values and strengthen their relationship with the Lord.
It includes 24 easy-to-learn biblical principles (family ways) in six key areas of family life, 24 Scripture memory passages with verse cards and 24 character quality definitions, in child-friendly language. Each of the 24 lessons has family devotionals to do over 5 days, but you could do a 6th day recap.
The Kids Color-In Book is a great companion to this devotion, because it includes 25 line art illustrations for coloring, practice pages for the Ways and even a “My Family Ways” section so your child can create and record their own ways!
9. Route 66: A Trip Through The 66 Books of the Bible
Perfect for grades 2–5, this 192-page book makes children a part of the story as they embark on a road trip through each of the 66 books of the Bible.
Kids learn each book’s main characters and stories, as well as its author, era, purpose and key verse. The lessons are divided into three 12-week units, but each page can stand alone.
Route 66: A Trip Through the 66 Books of the Bible also includes bonus pages guiding kids to study the Bible for themselves, have personal devotions, keep a prayer journal and memorize Scripture.
It is really a great way to walk through the Bible in which the details stick. I love that it covers every book of the Bible, too!
10. The Radical Book For Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith
This resource is a fun-filled explorer’s guide to the Bible, church history and the Christian life. From the wide-ranging topics, to the vibrant and unique design, to a plethora of fun facts, The Radical Book for Kids is an excellent devotional book for older elementary and tween boys and girls.
Some topic examples include:
- friendship
- how to make good decisions
- weapons in the Bible (and how to make your own catapult)
- names of God
- women and men who gave their lives for Christ
- fun and games in Bible times
- Latin words you should know
The chapters take anywhere from 7-15 minutes to read and look through all the fun off-set boxes and illustrations. The best part of all is that deep biblical truths are communicated to kids while stimulating their curiosity and sense of adventure within a gospel-centered framework!
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