Bite sizing: How to feast on the words of Christ with young children

Family scripture study: we know it’s important. We want it to be a regular part of our children’s lives. So why is it so hard to actually implement?

My own memories of family scripture study were of gathering in the living room and reading one chapter…which meant each family member read five or six verses. We were required to sit up (this was a tough ask for my brother, who would slump as far as humanly possible while still being, technically, “up”), and follow along (another neglected rule as each person’s turn began with the question, “Where are we?”).

I don’t remember discussing what we read or even understanding much of it. I only remember excitement about scripture study when I had just learned to read. I relished being a ‘big kid’ who didn’t have to repeat the words fed to me. My mom always said that they worked hard to maintain daily scripture study because just having the words of Christ floating out in the universe must have done some good. I’m sure she was right.

When it came to my own family, I wanted to do things a little differently. I have five young children (ranging in age from nine years to four months) and it’s important to me that my children have a positive experience with the scriptures. I want them to be able to understand the sacred words in context and to apply the teaching in their lives.

Through much trial and error, I’ve developed a system that works for us (for now, at least). Here are a few helpful pointers if you, too, want to improve your family scripture study time.

Tip 1: Contain the chaos and habit stack

We used to do scripture study in an upstairs hallway after all the kids were ready for bed. It was a disaster. The smallest kids ran all over the place, kids were ready for bed at different times, and just gathering everyone together became a struggle—not to mention that by that time in the evening, I was DONE and just wanted everyone to leave me alone!

What’s worked for us is moving scripture time earlier, and we do it at the table while or right after we eat dinner. This works for a few reasons: 1) we remember always to do it, because we always have to eat dinner; 2) the littlest children are strapped in and can’t escape, and there is a clear boundary for the older ones—they need to stay in their seat at the table until they’ve been released; and 3) everyone is already together, so the step of gathering is eliminated. We occasionally do scriptures elsewhere if we know we won’t have dinner together at home, but we try to do it to a captive audience (often, in the car driving home from wherever we did eat dinner).

Tip 2: Break the scriptures down

I used to think scripture study meant we read the scriptures cover to cover. What works better for us is to tell a single story and discuss its lessons or even to read a few verses and dive deep into what they mean. As a result, we “read” less of the actual scriptures, but the kids are more invested and entertained. I also tell scripture stories to the kids using language they understand, even if that means the Pharisee says, “Uh, what is going on? Jesus should know this lady is a sinner!” rather than, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

Tip 3: Seek the kids’ involvement

I have been continually impressed by the responses I get when I ask my kids questions, whether it is about what they know of the story I’m going to tell, what lessons we can learn from the scriptures, or what their favorite name of Christ is. They often say insightful things I had never thought about, and their sincere answers help me understand what kinds of things they are struggling with.

I also never say no when a child asks to lead scripture study, even if I had something prepared in advance. I want them always to enjoy scripture study and want to be involved, not feel that the scriptures are something inaccessible to them that only Mom and Dad can explain. This means that we frequently hear the story of David and Goliath related to us by our three-year-old! But it’s worth it. Are the kids disrespectful or irreverent at times? Absolutely, and we have to address that when it happens, but they can be surprisingly introspective and appropriate for the rambunctious crew that they are,.

Tip #4: Incorporate prayer

For us, this means we end with a prayer. (Starting with a prayer isn’t a bad idea either!) We do this at the table rather than kneeling, simply because a move introduces another opportunity for escape! Ending our scripture study with a prayer means we can ask the Spirit to help us retain what we’ve learned and allows me to start the next nightly task—bedtime—with patience and calm.

I hope these tips can be helpful to you in incorporating daily scripture study into your family culture. Happy learning!

Rachel Kenley Fry is a stay-at-home Mom of five children, an avid reader, and a writer. She is happy to be back out on downhill and cross country skis after being pregnant last year, and is excited for a summer of hiking! She loves being back in Alaska where she grew up and watching her kids forge relationships with their extended family here. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.