TBC Notes

All-Vacation Bible School?

Most vacation Bible programs that I’ve personally observed are valuable experiences for children, especially for those who have had no exposure to the Bible. One drawback for many of those who attend is that it lasts only five days—then forget about the Bible until next year!

 Here’s a suggestion: keep the program going for your children in mini form, daily. One of the best things you can do for them over the summer is to help them with their reading development. Make it even better by reading the Bible with them. On average, it takes about five minutes to read a chapter of Scripture. Fifteen minutes of reading each day for a week will take you through the Gospel of John. The Book of Acts can be read in a week and a half. With a little discipline, you’ll be amazed at how much of the Bible you can cover with your children.

 I like the “I read two verses, you read the next two verses” approach. It keepseveryone focused. I’ve done this with my middle-school kids and high schoolers. If your young children aren’t quite up to this reading level, read to them and add lots of explanations as you go.

See if you can make this a habit that carries on into the fall and beyond. If there’s a better one, I don’t know what it would be.

T.A. McMahon

Executive Director