Over the years, I’ve written separate articles on the importance of studying our Bibles in front of our kids and how-to tips for that. Today, I’m combining those in hopes that it helps moms pursue Christ amidst the busyness of raising kids by providing both the why and the how-to.
For years, I struggled to have a consistent “quiet” time. Since college, the Lord has worked in my heart in regards to this. He used trial to birth a deep love for his Word in me. God taught me his Word is a necessary part of my day, not just something to do if I have time. My perspective on “quiet” times has changed over my years of motherhood. As moms, it’s easy to buy into this myth of quiet. Ideally, we open our Bibles with a warm cup of coffee and a silent house. When that’s not a reality, we allow that to be the excuse to not open our Bibles. Dear friends, though Scripture commands we delight in God’s Word (Ps. 1:1-2), meditate on it (Joshua 1:8), and live by it (2 Tim. 3:16), it never commands we must do so quietly. Yes, Jesus took time to be alone with the Father (Matt. 14:23), and we should seek this when we can. However, long to-do lists and loud homes should never be excuses to not study our Bibles.
My boys’ nap times used to be a wonderful time for my Bible study, but now, nap times are a distant memory. My house is rarely quiet. Many moms have little quiet, whether that be due to children’s ages, work schedules, or other reasons. This shouldn’t hinder us from studying God’s Word, though. If we believe studying the Bible is necessary (and it is), then we’ll incorporate it into our lives, no matter how chaotic the season may be.
Mamas, I know we long for quiet moments with God’s Word, but can I exhort you with this? Let your kids “catch” you reading your Bible. There’s beauty in those quiet moments, but I’ve also learned there’s beauty in studying God’s Word in the midst of the chaos too. Here are some benefits to studying our Bibles while our kids are wide awake:
They see Jesus is real to us. We try to talk about Jesus a lot in our home. What I want my children to understand, though, is Jesus isn’t someone I just talk to them about. He’s the very Bread of Life (John 6:35) who I need to feast on daily. Jesus is so real to me, and I desperately want my kids to know that. I hope when they see me open my Bible, they get a small glimpse of this.
They see what daily, faithful living unto the Lord looks like. Our family LOVES the local church. I believe an important part of discipling our children is teaching them to love and prioritize it. Another part of discipling them, though, is teaching them how to live for Jesus Monday-Saturday. Christianity is about abiding in the Vine (John 15:5), which means we’re to faithfully walk unto the Lord daily, not just at church. When our kids see us read our Bibles, we show them one way we do this.
It sparks conversation. Most of the time, my kids aren’t too interested when I have my Bible open. There are sweet times, though, when they are, and they ask a question about what I’m studying. What an opportunity! I get to share with them the book of the Bible I’m reading, what I’m learning, and why I prioritize reading the Word.
It can help develop fruit in their own lives. Kids who need juice refills are quite the impatient people, aren’t they? When I’m reading my Bible, I teach my kids these things can wait. Of course, if there’s an emergency or real need, I meet that. However, what our little people usually ask for falls under the “want” category rather than the “need”. In these moments, I again get to emphasize the importance of Bible study. It’s also an opportunity for my children to practice things such as patience and self-control. Of course, this fruit can only truly be developed by the work of the Spirit, but I fully believe he can use waiting on a juice refill to grow them!
They see us humbly submit to Christ. Reading our Bible in front of our children isn’t to show our awesome-ness. We don’t want to be the Pharisees, praying publicly just to be seen (Matt. 6:5). We want to model for our children our great need for Christ. We model that we’re weak people who struggle with temptations, quickly forget the promises of Christ, and desperately want to grow in our love for him. When we open God’s Word with our children around, we do so with an attitude of humility. We want our children to know we can live without a lot of things- coffee, a nap, or chocolate- but we most definitely can’t live without Jesus. Daily, we’re to humbly submit to Christ’s lordship, and reading our Bibles is one way we do that.
Mamas, our children are more likely to follow what we model for them versus what we say to them. If we tell them to read their Bibles, but they don’t see it prioritized in our lives, then they’ll probably brush off that exhortation. Instead, let’s tell them the importance of God’s Word and show it. Throw the myth of a quiet time out the window. Satan wants that to hinder us from Bible study. The truth is, we’re not too busy to study the Bible. We just may need to get creative in how we do it! There are days when my kids get a few extra minutes of screen time so I can study my Bible, and I’m 100% okay with that. Being in the Word is so necessary that a few extra minutes of Power Rangers is totally worth it. Instead of quiet times, let’s seek to have “personal Bible study” times with the Lord. Let’s seek God both when the house is quiet and when there are Nerf gun bullets flying across our living room. His Word is a great treasure that’s worth it, dear friends.
But now that we’ve discussed the why & benefit to studying the Bible with our kids around, how do we do this? Here are some things I’ve learned along the way, and even things I’ve had to remind myself of as we brought Faith home last year:
I’ve repeatedly said, “Your quiet time doesn’t have to be quiet!” Well guess who needed her own reminder when kid #3 came along? Me! I struggled to read my Bible when Faith came home, & Jack was gracious to remind me of my own words.
I’ve done my “quiet” time with the boys around for so long that I forgot they required some training. Here are some ways I’ve worked with my kids so that I can read my Bible while they’re awake:
Tell them what I’m doing & why. This doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out explanation. Something as simple as, “Mommy is reading her Bible, & this is really important” is sufficient. This isn’t to make my kids think they’re not important; they are! But reading my Bible is more important & makes me a better mom. This shows my kids it’s a priority for me to be in the Word.
Provide options of things they can do during that time. Honestly, I use more screen time if necessary. For Faith, she likes to eat a snack or color.
Lovingly tell them certain things can wait. Of course, if there’s an emergency or urgent need, I put my Bible aside & handle that. But juice refills, playing a game with me, etc. can wait.
Train my own heart. Even while reading my Bible, I can sin toward my kids. Therefore, I need to expect interruptions. I can continue my study after wiping bottoms, cleaning spills, & breaking up sibling squabbles!
Spending time in God’s Word is THE need in my day. Do I love it when I can do this kid-free? Definitely! But I also pray that me modeling this for my kids will produce a love for God’s Word in their own hearts. This time isn’t perfect, but it’s worth it! Pursue Christ above all, mamas. You need it & your kids need it.
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