Good morning!

Today I’m sharing a new adventure: doing The Bible Recap with my older two kids!

My older two, a son and daughter, are 10 and 8. In our family we have done a variety of faith-related “homeschool” activities over the years, as well as just general habits we have established as part of our family culture unrelated to schooling.

As my (now four) kids have grown and their needs have changed over the years, I have used many things to supplement their faith education, and our family discussions around the topic.

Favorite Faith Resources In Homeschooling

A few of my favorite items we’ve used, both as a family, and through homeschooling, over the years are:

• Tiny Theologians ABC Bundle: I love these simple cards, because the are easy to incorporate with multiple ages. You can easily do one each day, or even just a few a week, and talk about the concept. We use these intermittently in our morning basket routine!
• Sibling Relationship Cards: I use these sometimes in a morning routine, and sometimes at the dinner table. Again, they are small, brief, and easy to incorporate and spark discussion, even with your little ones. I like talking about different things with my kids while they are calm and regulated (and often, munching on dinner!) so that, when various conflicts do happen with their siblings, they can remember what we talked about in moments of peace!
• Memory verses: I haven’t purchased anything specific for this category, but there are many sets available! Memory verses are one thing I want to improve upon, this next school year. I think having kids in a wide age range (8 years between my oldest and youngest) and getting out of the habit, is partially why we haven’t been great at this recently. But, I have some favorite verses saved, and hope to implement the simple routine of saying a memory verse each night at the dinner table. My older two did Awana, at our old church, and that was awesome! I taught the Cubbies level, and I really enjoyed that curriculum and structure. Our current church does not have Awana, but I wish it did!
• The Jesus Storybook Bible, hard copy AND audio: We love this (very popular) children’s Bible! I have the English version, as well as the bilingual version, which was gifted to me by a former Spanish immersion student. I frequently request the audio form on Libby, so that my kids can listen during quiet time!
• The Biggest Story: another kids bible that we love! They are short excerpts, with prayers at the end. I like the prayers, because I think sometimes it is hard for kids to learn how to pray. These are great little examples of how to talk to God.
• Little Pilgrim’s Progress: I read this every summer to my kids! I remember reading the full story as a preteen, and it being scary. This version is gentler, and has beautiful illustrations that my kids love. I am a sucker for a good allegory!
• The Bible Project: I was first introduced to these unique video summaries in a Precepts Bible Study years ago, and love sharing them with my kids. I plan to show them the video for each book of the Bible that we’re reading, to give them some more contextual information about the genre and historical context, while we read.

Doing The Bible Recap With My Kids

Alright, so how did I decide to do The Bible Recap with my older two this summer?

First-I have done The Bible Recap myself, twice now. I absolutely love it, and it has been incredibly edifying for my own faith. Before using this particular plan, I had tried to read the Bible, cover-to-cover, for, quite literally, two decades, without much success! I would always start with great intentions, but after a few months, fizzle out.

I think timing has made a difference, but also–I love the structure of The Bible Recap. There is a reading plan you download, but there is also a podcast summary each day. It’s only 8 minutes long. I don’t always have time to listen, but I usually do! The author of the program summarizes that day’s reading, provides fascinating contextual information about the culture, history or geography of the day, and poses awesome theological questions to consider. It’s phenomenal.

They do have products designed specifically for kids, and even an entire version that’s written for kids–but I am just doing the standard version, with mine.

I love reading to my kids (as you know!) and discussing ideas with them. This summer I am trying to do bible study on Sunday and Wednesday nights, so I try to knock out a few days’ reading on both days. It’s lowkey, but beautiful.

What are your favorite ways to teach your children, in faith-related topics? I would love to hear!

Cait