Are you looking for ways to teach your kids how to read and study the Bible? Well, I’m here to help you out! There’s a method called inductive Bible study, and it is like being a detective. You gather all the facts and clues from the Bible passage you’re reading. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Observation – Encourage your kids to ask questions like who, what, where, when, why, and how. Help them look for repeated words, lists, changes in topic or time, and cause and effect. Encourage kids to highlight, underline, or circle important details and observations in the passage. Yes, it’s allowed!

Step 2: Interpretation – Teach your kids to consider the cultural and historical context of the passage. Help them explore what they know about the author and the book. Encourage them to look for other Bible passages that can provide more insight. Remind them to focus on the clearest meaning and not twist the words to fit their own ideas. I like to use the website blueletterbible.org for help. Sure, you can find the information for them, but teaching them how to use the study tools for themselves will have a greater impact!

Step 3: Application – This step is all about connecting the passage to their own lives. Encourage your kids to ask themselves the same questions from the beginning (who, what, where, when, why, and how) and think about how the passage can affect their actions, choices, and what’s important to them. Help them brainstorm practical ways to apply what they’ve learned and have them write it down in a journal or in their Bible. Yes, it’s still allowed!

Kay Arthur has a series of inductive Bible studies for kids called, “Discover 4 Yourself®“ that I have used in the past, and kids love it! You can find these books on Amazon.

Remember, studying the Bible is about more than just gaining knowledge. It’s about learning how to live according to what you’ve learned. So have fun exploring, ask lots of questions, and apply what you discover. 

Happy studying!