I try a lot of different things to share Jesus with my four boys from God’s word.[1] There is no method that I’ve stuck to for a long time. With the younger boys, I read various ‘written for kids’ accounts of Jesus’ words and acts. I read children’s Bibles – different ones at different ages and stages. We even have a Minecraft Bible. (Some of the translation and commentary is a bit wobbly but the big ideas are there).
But I don’t limit it to reading the Bible. Over dinner I retell things that Jesus did or said in the most vivid way I can. When we are talking about life I try to connect things back to Jesus or God’s word. ‘This sounds a bit like the time when Jesus…’ Or, ‘Wow, you’ve hit on an important idea in the Bible right there...’
Currently, I’m trying to read through the book of Judges before school in the morning. It happens 2 or 3 out of the 5 school mornings. I’d love to hit 3 or 4 out of 5. I’m also trying to keep Jesus on the agenda during our dinner time as I share bits and pieces from Revelation and I John. I’m reading them right now. And, I try to pray with each boy at bed time even if it is a short and punchy prayer.
And, in God’s kindness, God’s word is getting through. One of my boys said to me the other day, ‘Why is everything always about the Bible?’. At first, I was a little offended but now I realise that is a big win. I’m rejoicing. Because in the end everything really is about who God is, what he has done for us in Jesus and making this known to others for his glory.
At first, I was a little offended but now I realise that is a big win. I’m rejoicing. Because in the end everything really is about who God is, what he has done for us in Jesus and making this known to others for his glory.
The reason for this sharing saturation? This is the very thing God’s word instructs us Dads (and mums) to do. God’s word tells us is to share God’s word often and always. Saturate our lives and the lives of our kid’s in God’s word by sharing it.
Notice the method below. It is very simple. Love God ourselves. Love his word. And, always share God’s commands and what he has done. Always.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
It is very simple. Love God ourselves. Love his word. And, always share God’s commands and what he has done. Always
We are to saturate our lives in God’s word and share God’s word with your children all the time: in the ad breaks, when you are sliding on your work boots, when you drop your kids off at school, before your kids go to bed, after they wake up and when you’re shooting hoops at the local ring.
This is the method we need to have to bring Jesus to our kid’s. It is to share Jesus and God’s word with our kids anyway and every way we can.
Find something that works for you and your family and do it. When it stops working do something else. As your kid’s change and life changes, change methods. Dads get into God’s word for yourself. Share it with your children anyway you can.
[1] My wife is a huge part of this. Mums are instructed by God to share his word with their children. But in this article I want to challenge and encourage the Dads.