Reading Scriptures with Children

"Because the scriptures are sometimes difficult to understand, we often avoid reading them with children, particularly younger children. But children need and can be helped to understand and love the word of God. Many Bible stories are exciting and have all the elements of stories that children love. However, you cannot just sit down and read long passages to young children and expect them to understand. They can benefit from reading the actual words, and this should be included when you teach your children about the scriptures, but you also need to adapt the scriptures to the level of your children's understanding. All of us benefit from a study of the scriptures, not just a reading of them. Questions and discussion will help both younger and older children to gain a better understanding of scriptures." [Family Home Evening Resource Book]

Why is this important? 2 Peter 3:16 and Alma 13:20, 41:1 These are a couple of scriptures I ran across studying the SS lesson manual.

Several of you are using these, which are great!

Another idea we found while visiting Matt and Heather's home is where they would read the scripture on the back of a picture from the "Gospel Art Picture Kit" each morning and then talk about it and how it relates to us personally...likening the scriptures to us today. Mosiah 1:5, "that we might read and understand...and have his commandments always before our eyes."

The "Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting" booklet that came with your Ensign Magazine this month also has some great ideas.