When we think of Bible studies, our minds often go to small groups meeting in classrooms on a church campus. Sometimes, we might think about individuals sitting on couches in someone’s living room on a regular basis.

While those are great, there’s another option we don’t want to miss: family Bible studies. More than family devotions, these times in God’s Word shared by parents and their kids allow families to go a little deeper, to really check out what God says about following Him in this world. After all, parents are called to be the primary spiritual mentors of their children. So, studying the Bible together as a family only makes sense.

What’s the Point of family Bible studies?

Bible studies, whether individually or as a family, can take different shapes and rely on a variety of methods. For example, I’ve seen the PLANT approach, where you prepare your heart, learn from God’s Word, ask questions, name a relevant truth, and take action on that truth. Another popular acronym is SOAP, which stands for Scripture, observation, application, and prayer. Whatever approach you happen to take, they all focus on your role as a disciple and a disciple-maker in your family. That’s what’s most important.

So, as you think about leading family Bible studies, don’t get caught up in a lot of elaborate details. Keep things simple. Focus on the Word and prayer. Talk about how your family can apply God’s Word in practical ways each day. And make sure you’re not doing all the talking. Allow time for your kids to dig into the Bible and explain what resonates with them.

Like a lot of things in the Christian world, a quick online search yields a ton of results for starting family Bible studies. It can be confusing and overwhelming. To help, we’ve provided a quick list of options below. Some are specific resources that you can use. Others are more general ideas that can serve as a springboard for your family Bible study plans.

All of them encourage you to share time in God’s Word with the most important people in your life.

 

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Where Can You Start?

  1. YouVersion Bible App. This popular app has a wide variety of study plans, including many geared toward families. If you’re looking for a family Bible study plan that allows you to focus on the basics while still getting into the meat of the Word, this could be a great option.

 

  1. YouVersion Bible App for Kids. Along with its traditional Bible study plans, YouVersion also offers specific resources for parents and kids. This app is designed specifically to encourage children’s participation in studying the Bible, and you could adapt the material to study with the whole family. It also points you to additional, age-appropriate resources.

 

  1. Homegrown. This Bible study from Josh and Christi Straub takes families on a journey through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). While the study has a lot to say to parents, it also includes activities that will help kids interact with God’s Word and learn how to nurture the Spirit’s fruit in their own lives.

 

  1. Object Lessons. When it comes to keeping kids interested and engaged in family Bible studies, few things are more effective than a good object lesson. Things they see or experience every day can be great illustrations of God’s truth. For example, the Bible Seeker curriculum offers creative object lessons that you can shape easily into a Bible study for your family.

 

  1. Sunday school/Wednesday night reviews. When my kids were little, I was always amazed at the sheer amount of stuff they brought home from church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Many providers of children’s curriculum provide parent guides that allow families to review and dig deeper into the lessons studied at church. If your children’s ministry offers these tools, they can be a quick and easy way to start a family Bible study.

 

  1. Defined. Every member of the family, regardless of their age, wants to know what God thinks of them. Each of us wants to be assured that He loves us and has a plan for us. Defined is a Bible study created by author/speaker Priscilla Shirer and the Kendrick brothers, and it’s based on a movie they made together called “Overcomer.” Defined comes in a variety of age-appropriate and family-centered formats, each one focused on helping family members see themselves through Jesus’s eyes. 

 

  1. Advent studies. Tis (almost) the season! In a just a couple of weeks, believers will be diving into Advent as they prepare their hearts to celebrate Christmas and the birth of the Savior. Many churches and online sites offer free Advent family resources, which makes this a great time to start a family Bible study. For example, Lifeway Kids recently released a free Advent family guide. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, talk with your pastor or children’s minister about connecting all the families in your congregation together through a shared study during this special season.

 

  1. Topical studies. Many resources for family Bible studies zero in on common themes and struggles in family life. For example, one plan created by the folks at Not Consumed teaches siblings how to relate to one another in Christlike ways. Admittedly, topical plans might require some research so you find the right one for your crew, but they also help you meet your family’s biggest needs head on. 

 

  1. The Bible Made Easy for Kids. This family Bible study guide by Daniel Strehler walks kids through the major biblical stories in a way they can understand and apply. While the content and format focus on the kids, parents can use the book to guide conversations and lead a Bible study with your family.

 

  1. Experiencing God at Home: Day by Day. For more than 30 years, individuals and churches have been transformed by the concepts behind Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God study. This resource, created by Tom Blackaby and Rick Osborne, brings those principles closer to home with a year-long family Bible study experience. The cover says it’s a family devotional, but the daily readings provide deeper dives that touch every corner of Scripture. Plus, activities for older and younger kids make it practical and age-appropriate. The authors have even provided content for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, family celebrations, and family struggles.

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

Starting a family Bible study with your kids can seem like a daunting task. But you don’t have to be a scholar, pastor, or Bible expert to make it work. You just need consistency and a willing heart.

 

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