Today, I want to share some things that I have personally used to teach my own children. I will not recommend anything I have not used. I am not currently using all of the following items. It depends on the age of your children what you choose. I will do my best to give you some age recommendations.
I will begin today with the younger ones, but my older ones usually like to listen in anyway! Do you find that in your home as well? I love for them to crowd around and listen together.
This is the perfect introduction to Scripture, prayer, memorization and doctrine. The chapters are short, but full. This book introduces concepts such as God Is Three Persons; Sin Spoiled The World; Why Sin Must Be Punished; God Gave His Son for Us; Jesus Obeyed God; We Must Be Born Again; How God's Children Live and Grow; Praying in Jesus' Name; and About God's Church, which covers worship, baptism, the Lord's supper, and evangelism. This book covers so much more than I have listed here.
Each chapter starts with a section to read aloud,which is only a few paragraphs, followed by some discussion questions, then a Bible reading, a few lines from a hymn, and a short prayer to read aloud.
If your oldest child is no older than 8, I would start with this. If you have younger and older children, and they aren't knowledgeable regarding Bible doctrine, this is the perfect place to start. You can ask some meatier questions of the older ones, or have them read aloud the verses that are referenced. They could do more memory work as well. I believe in this book and highly recommend it!!
I have owned this book since my 18 year old daughter was a tiny thing. The book is arranged alphabetically, and there is a verse, story, questions, and prayer for each letter. For example, the letter "C" has for its memory verse Colossians 3:20. The verse itself is in big bold letters at the top of the page. Then, there is a small doctrine paragraph that explains the verse. After that, there is a short story about a little girl named Missy, which teaches the application of the verse.
In the "Let's Talk" section, it says, "Why are children to obey their parents? Say Colossians 3:20 three times. Say the A, B, and C verses." Then there is a prayer section which, for the C page, says, "Ask God to help you please Him by obeying your parents. Ask God to give you wisdom to teach you His Word."
This book is great for many different age levels. You could begin with a very young child, even as young as two, and start memorizing the verses. With a four or five year old, you could read it all, look up the verse in the Bible, discuss the application, and review the previous days' verses. It is totally customizable.
I purchased this book when my oldest child, now 25, was less than a year old. Mine is still holding up, although the cover is not as tight as it once was. This is the sweetest little book, and what I would start with for a very young child, from babyhood on up. The pictures in this book are soft watercolor style. For each letter, there is a short rhyme, then a very short story about the picture. Then there are some simple questions, followed by a simple version of the verse the story is based on. For example, the letter G page has this to start:
"G is for God;
He's your Father above.
He made you and likes you
And shows you His love."
The questions that follow say, "Who made the flowers? Who made you? Where is God? Can you see Him? Can He see you? Does God love you? Do you love Him?"
This book is not for the older child who is ready for more discussion. This is just a very sweet introduction for the youngest of your children. If you have a baby that is napping during your older kids' Bible time, this would be a very nice book for some special time with that baby.
These books are for the 3 years old and up set. Published by Answers in Genesis, these books are more than just one book between two covers. The first 52 pages of A is for Adam are an alphabet rhyming story, beginning with Creation and moving through the Bible to the tower of Babel.
In D is for Dinosaur, the story of dinosaurs is told from the Creation through Noah's flood and beyond, in alphabetical order. When you get past the rhyming alphabet in the beginning, you come to the doctrine section.
In this section, in each book,there are notes for the parent. It tells you what to teach, and gives you examples and stories to use. In the back of the book, there is a coloring page for every letter of the alphabet with the rhyme on it. There are student exercises for the older children; drawing exercises, writing exercises, pretend games, research projects, Scripture searches, etc.
These books will cover multiple age levels. The youngest will love the rhymes and coloring the pictures. The older ones will be challenged to develop their beliefs according to what Scripture says.
At the bottom of the page, there are letters to trace over.
This resource would be perfect if you need something to keep your toddler/preschooler busy while teaching your other children. You can work together on memorizing the verse, then let them color and practice their writing. I make photocopies out of this book so that I can use it for more than one child.
Well, that's it for this round. Next time, I will touch on some things for the older kids. I have found something new this year that I absolutely love for the older ones. Stay tuned!!