Building Bible Family Traditions

Building Family Bible Traditions could help to preserve Bible integrity.

Following is a list of other family traditions to reinforce Bible learning and and family quality time together.

1. Daily Bible Reading Time

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  Short Story: The Johnson family gathers every evening after dinner, each with their own Bible in hand. The soft glow of a lamp shines over the pages as Dad reads aloud from the Book of Psalms. Sarah, the youngest, hugs her stuffed bear and follows along, whispering the words she knows. Afterward, they discuss the passage and share how they can apply it the next day. The kids are beginning to understand the peace that comes from hearing God’s word daily.
  

2. Scripture Memorization

Every Tuesday, the Roberts family starts their dinner with a verse. This week, it’s John 3:16. Mom writes it on the whiteboard in the kitchen. They practice it together, and little Emma, who is just five, proudly recites the verse after a few tries, clapping her hands with joy. They celebrate with high-fives, and Dad announces that next week, they’ll learn Psalm 23.

3. Prayer Time

• Short Story: The Martinez family kneels by the couch every night before bed. Little Lucas prays for his grandmother, who is in the hospital, while his older sister, Maria, prays for the children in their neighborhood school. Dad prays that God would give them wisdom for the upcoming week. The family ends with a final prayer of thanks. The peaceful silence that follows feels like a tangible embrace of God's presence.

4. Bible Verse Art or Craft

• Short Story: It’s Saturday morning, and the Brown children are busy with crayons and paint. Mom has given them a task: draw a picture based on Genesis 1, the story of creation. Jacob, the oldest, paints a colorful rainbow, while Lily, the youngest, draws the sun and moon. Their artwork is later displayed on the fridge, with the words "God saw that it was good" written underneath.

 

5. Bible-Based Family Discussions

• Short Story: After a hearty Sunday lunch, the Henderson family gathers in the living room to talk about the Bible passage they read that morning, the story of the Good Samaritan. Mom asks, “How can we be like the Good Samaritan in our lives?” Little Ben chimes in, “We can help people when they’re hurt, even if they’re strangers!” Everyone smiles as they agree on ways to show kindness throughout the week.

 

6. Celebrate Christian Holidays with Meaning

• Short Story: It’s Christmas Eve, and the family is gathered around the fireplace, the glow of the tree lights casting a warm hue on the room. Mom reads the nativity story aloud, with each child taking turns reading parts of the story. Afterward, they hang an ornament for each family member on the tree, symbolizing God's gift to the world. The night ends with a prayer of thanks for the gift of Jesus.

7. Bible Journaling as a Family

• Short Story: Every Thursday night, the Peterson family gathers around their dining table for Bible journalism. Emma writes down her thoughts about Psalm 23, drawing a picture of a shepherd and his sheep. Dad reflects on a passage from James about patience and writes a prayer asking for more patience in his life. Together, they share their journals, looking at how God has been speaking to each of them throughout the week.

8. Acting Out Bible Stories

Short Story: It's a rainy Saturday, and the Williams family is inside, acting out the story of Noah’s Ark. The kids are wearing makeshift animal costumes—Lily is a giraffe with paper ears, and Jonah is a lion with a cardboard mane. Dad, as Noah, instructs them to gather two of every animal, and they march around the living room. The laughter and excitement fill the room, and by the end, everyone is talking about God’s promise with a sense of awe.

 

9. Bible Memory Games

• Short Story: The Turner family has turned their Bible memory challenge into a fun game. The kids compete to see who can match Bible verses to the correct books of the Bible first. As the timer counts down, little Emma races to get the next verse right, while her brother, Sam, gently helps her. It’s both competitive and collaborative, and they finish the game by discussing the verses they learned.

10. Serving Together

• Short Story: On Thanksgiving weekend, the Thomas family takes a trip to the local food bank to help pack meals for those in need. The kids cheer as they pass the canned goods down the line, and Dad makes sure each box is packed with love. Afterward, the family talks about how serving others is one way they can follow Jesus’ example of selflessness.

11. Monthly Family Bible Challenges

• Short Story: It’s the first of the month, and the Clark family announces their Bible challenge for the month: read through the book of Philippians together. Each evening, they read a chapter and discuss how to live out its teachings in their lives. By the end of the month, the kids can recite several verses from Philippians by heart.

12. Blessings at Meal Times

• Short Story: As they sit down for dinner, the Richardson family takes turns saying a prayer of blessing for each other. Mom thanks God for their health, Dad prays for their neighbors, and the kids thank God for their friends and family. Afterward, they share a moment of gratitude, appreciating not only the food but the love that surrounds them.

13. Bible Storytelling Around the Fire

• Short Story: One chilly autumn evening, the Baker family sits around the campfire in their backyard, with marshmallows roasting on sticks. Dad tells the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, and the kids listen intently, eyes wide. As the fire crackles, the family reflects on how God protected Daniel, and they thank God for His protection over their lives.

14. Family Bible Song Time

• Short Story: The Stevens family sings together before bed. They all gather in the living room, with Mom playing the guitar. Tonight’s song is "This Little Light of Mine," and each person takes a turn to sing a verse. The joy and laughter as the family sings in harmony bring a sense of peace and unity that lingers long after the last note.

 

15. Scripture-Based Family Blessing or Affirmation

• Short Story: Before bed on Sunday night, the Davidson family gathers in the living room for their weekly blessing. Mom speaks words of affirmation over each child, quoting Psalm 139:14, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each child responds with a verse they’ve memorized. The night ends with hugs and smiles, a family wrapped in the love of God's word.