How to Have a Bible Class in Your Homeschool

We homeschoolers are so blessed to be able to make choices for ourselves and our children. Do we want our homeschool to be primarily academic? Do we want arts and music to be part of the education? How much outside socialization is good? How much planned physical activity do we want? Will we have hands-on learning? And, possibly the most critical consideration for Christian homeschoolers: will we have daily Bible/religious teaching?

Religious teaching: it’s our choice! And what a blessing that is! So how might we go about creating our own Bible class?

Young children are such sweet little sponges! It’s so easy for them to memorize. They can memorize Bible verses or even longer passages. When children are younger, they can more easily memorize the Lord’s prayer and the Ten Commandments than when they are older. Knowing the books of the Bible in order, both testaments is very useful knowledge. Memorization takes only a little daily practice and review. Bible verse songs are fun too!

Reading the Bible every day is important. What ages benefit most? All ages! You know if your child needs a children’s Bible or a more adult version. You might enjoy using a Bible written in chronological order. There are many types of devotional guides to consider. Children usually excel at learning when you read aloud to them. Keep reading aloud until they graduate! Your Bible class could continue at the supper table and be part of your family devotions. 

Missionary stories and biographies can add perspective to your Bible class. Children love to hear about the commitment and adventure of missionary families. Many missionaries that you know or support will send out newsletters and updates that you can include in your class. Your children will want to pray for and write letters to missionaries.

As your children grow into teens, please read aloud books on Christian living. Our church has a great reading list on its website with titles that are helpful for teens. If you don’t have time to read them all aloud, you can group several books as an elective for your students. Have them read the books and write summaries, comments or have discussion.

There is no substitute for reading the Bible for yourself. I required my students to read it through on their own before graduation. (They were already baptized believers.) Some of my guys read it through more than once by using a Bible app with their friends. If reading one chapter per day will take two years to read it through, reading two chapters per day, will take you one year. Because it’s so compelling, you might choose to read much more than that! Those with a Bible app on their phone can even have it read aloud!

My desire for a complete education for my children included a daily Bible class. It was my choice and my privilege, and as usual, I learned right along with them! I hope this article encourages you to do the same!

Dava Banner has been married for thirty-seven years and has three fine sons. She and her family live on a small farm in Crouse.