When I first launched this blog, I imagined parents writing their own family Bible studies from scratch, digging into Scripture, crafting questions, and pulling it all together week after week. That’s still a goal of mine, but I also realized something important along the way: most parents don’t need more homework. They need reliable, ready-to-use resources. That’s why I now write and share about one Family Bible Study each week, simple, focused, and designed to help you build a realistic family Bible study routine.
In this article, I want to show you how our family builds a realistic Bible study routine using this once-a-week rhythm, plus what our nightly devotionals look like in between. You can use my weekly studies as your starting point and I’ll guide you every step of the way.
That one weekly Bible study becomes our anchor. It’s when we dig deeper, ask big questions, and really focus. But on other nights of the week, we keep it simple. That’s where the right devotional resources come in. We’re not reinventing the wheel every night. Instead, we use engaging, gospel-centered books that help us to stay consistent without burning out. If you’re trying to build a sustainable rhythm for your family, finding the right tools for those in-between nights is just as important as preparing that one focused study.
What Our Daily Devotions Look Like
Now, doing one in-depth study a week doesn’t mean we only gather around the Bible once a week. We actually aim for a short devotional time every night.
This is what we do: we sit on a cozy rug in my boy’s bedroom, read one chapter from a kid-friendly Bible devotional, ask a few questions, break up a few fights, and take turns praying.
That’s it!
On most nights, there aren’t fireworks or huge spiritual breakthroughs. But after doing this consistently for several years, I can confidently say it’s one of the most important spiritual rhythms in our family discipleship routine.
What I Look For in a Kids’ Devotional Book
Here’s what I look for when choosing a devotional book for our nightly reading:
Gospel-Focused
The Bible teaches us that we are sinners in need of a Savior. It’s not about us becoming enlightened and uncovering some hidden truth that will deliver us. It’s about learning that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus into the world to live, to die, and rise again to rescue us from our sin problem. This truth is what brings us into a saving relationship with Jesus and grows us to live for Him on a daily basis.
Age-Appropriate
The Bible study needs to be understandable and relevant for our kids. It should be interesting, and it probably needs to be funny too. We want our kids to feel like the author is talking directly to them — not to a youth group, college class, or adult Bible study.
Teaches the Whole Story of the Bible
Children can begin to form an understanding of the chronology of the Bible. If the foundation is set when they are young, kids will increasingly see how the Old Testament and New Testament work together to show God’s redemptive actions for His people through Jesus.
Great Artwork (Bonus!)
Some nice artwork is a plus. Great artwork isn’t absolutely necessary for a good kids’ Bible study. Still, I’m not sure I’ve used any great study with my kids that didn’t have it. 🙂
Our Favorite Kid’s Devotionals
There are many solid options, but here are some of the resources my family has used that helped us build a realistic family Bible study routine:
The Jesus Storybook Bible
You can start The Jesus Storybook Bible at a very young age. The stories are short, chronological, and highlight Jesus in every single chapter. I’ve read through it more times than I can count–and I find something encouraging every time.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
We started reading The Biggest Story Bible Storybook when my oldest son turned 8. The stories are longer and more detailed, still in chronological order, and go even deeper into how the Old and New Testaments point to Jesus. It’s taken my boys’ understanding of Scripture to a whole new level.
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross
The Garden, the curtain and the Cross is a beautifully illustrated book tells the big picture of the Bible–God’s plan to bring us back through Jesus–from Genesis to Revelation. It’s a shorter read, so it’s great for kids, and it’s packed with deep, Gospel truth. If you want your kids to grasp the “why” behind the cross and resurrection, this is an excellent place to start.
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I hope this encourages you to get started with a realistic Bible study routine that fits your family. You don’t have to do it all. Pick a place to begin and trust God to grow your kids through it.
Let me know which devotional your family is using right now or if you have a favorite I should check out!
Additional Resources
Finish the School Year Strong as a Family
10 Bible Verses for the End of the School Year
Building a Realistic Family Bible Study Routine
Free Bible Coloring Pages for Kids
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