Children’s Bible Study: Reading, Discussion, and Activities

Unlike adult Bible study, children’s Bible study must focus less on discussion and more on activity and practical implementation. Children’s Bible studies should contain several essential elements, including reading the passage, discussing the passage, and applying the passage to real life.

Reading from the Bible

Each children’s Bible study session begins with a reading from the Bible. Depending on the age of students, they can be called on to read sections, or the teacher can read the entire passage. If students are learning to read, they should be provided printed copies or a digital copy displayed for all to see. If students are too young to read along or read out loud, teachers should choose passages from children’s Bibles that contain illustrations.

As this is the most important time of the meeting, it should be treated with reverence and excitement. Teachers must work to impart a sense of desire in their students by becoming true storytellers. Animation in the reading, such as changing voices when reading dialogue or pausing at dramatic moments, keeps students interested and helps paint a picture in their minds.

Discussing the Bible Passage

Children’s Bible study can be treated like a mini book club, where the group reads a common passage and discusses their thoughts. With older students, teachers can take a less involved role, allowing students to express themselves and engage in a back-and-forth regarding the meaning and their opinions.

Younger students need more guidance in the discussion. Teachers should begin the discussion by explaining the meaning in plain terms for the students. The discussion can then begin by students sharing examples where they experienced the same problems or found the same solutions as those provided in the Bible.

The importance of the discussion period in Bible study is to allow for reflection and help students see how the lessons relate to their regular lives. Once teachers have guided students through a period of reflection, they can easily move to an application of the lessons.

Practical Application

A practical application of Bible lessons can come in many forms. One of the most useful is through weekly challenges. Teachers can challenge students to go back to their families and do random acts of kindness, or forgive a sibling after a fight, whatever the lesson may teach. Then, students report back at the next week to tell of their experiments.

Another method for application, especially for younger students, is to get creative with art projects or role-playing games. If the lesson is about Jesus feeding the hungry, students can role-play a feast or practice splitting a loaf of bread into enough pieces for all the students to get a piece.

Final Thoughts on Children's Bible Study

Children’s Bible study lessons should begin with a Bible reading. These readings should be as interactive as possible, keeping students interested and engaged. Next is a period of discussion, where students can reflect on what they have read and talk about what it means. Finally, lessons should end with a period of activity, such as role-playing, an art project, or an experiment to carry out at home.

Test Your Children's Ministry IQ

Do you know the average attention span of an 8 year old?

Find out the answer by completing the Children's Ministry Academy's free online classroom management IQ quiz:

Online Children's Ministry Certification Quiz.