Why Should We Read The Bible To Our Children? It’s A Parent’s Job To

God has appointed us parents the job of instructing our children in who God is and what our faith is about. Precedent was set with Abraham, the patriarch of all people, when the Lord was deciding whether to tell him that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord said, “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.…” (Genesis 18:19). Our model of godly parenting was set from early on.

Solomon shares with us in Proverbs 22:6 that we are to “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” The apostle Paul reiterates it in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Over and over again we are told it is the parent’s job to teach their child about God, Jesus, faith and obedience.

But can’t we just rely on regularly attending church, Sunday school and youth activities for our children to get what they need? Does it have to come from actually reading the Bible with them? I mean, does the Bible actually say anything about using the Bible as the source of instruction?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, so you know.

The Word of God carries within it all the necessary pearls of wisdom, disciplinary approaches and lessons in character development needed by us to raise our children. It is the ultimate instruction manual, and it is abundantly clear whose primary job it is to teach our children the ways of the Lord.