How Do We Get Teens to Read the Bible

If you want your teenager to read their Bible then you as a parent must model it. The saying holds true that the apple does not fall far from the tree. You have probably notice your teen taking on your attributes as the grow older. Some characteristics you want them to pick up, and others not so much. It reminds me of that old song “I’ve Been Watching You” where the lyrics say “I’ve been watching you, dad.... I wanna be just like you. I’ve been watching all that you do. I wanna be just like you.” Your teenagers look to you far more than you believe. Even if they seem to be rude and frustrating at times, they watch you. Your teenagers will pick up your habits. If they see you reading the Bible they will know that it is truly important. I tell them that it is important. Brother Daniel tells them that it is important. Our Sunday school teachers tell them that it is important. But when they see mom and dad reading His word it sinks in their mind like a nail in the wood that build your house. If you want your teen to have a strong foundation that is rooted in scripture, they have to see their models participating in Bible study.

Model Bible study in front of your teen. Do not be afraid to use what God’s word tells us within its pages in your day to day life. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 tells us “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” In all that we do we should be using scripture to guide children as they grow.

Intentionally teach your teen how to study the Bible. Sit them down and read with them from time to time. If you learn something new, teach it to them. If you see scripture from a new perspective, share it with them. Be intentional about sharing God’s word with your child. Teach them how to read His word. Teach them to dissect the scripture and understand His meaning rather than simply reading and checking off a box.

Challenge your teen to dig deeper. Ask them how they are doing in their studies. Ask them what they have learned. You do not have to have an in depth conversation with them. Maybe they will sit down and talk at length, but likely not. This is new ground for them. A year or so from now you may be having long drawn out conversations about the Bible, but at this moment it probably will not happen. But question them anyways. Keep them honest, and keep them curious. If you come across something interesting, encourage them to study it as well and have a conversation about it. I remember when my mother would run across something interesting she would have me read it myself and then she would ask me what I thought about it. It opened up a great discussion on God’s scriptures. Teens are smarter than they let on at times. Challenge their spiritual minds.

Research some interesting studies and give your teen options to study at your home. I will be starting a Bible study here with the youth, but if will have an end. They will need more as they grow. It does not have to be long and drawn out, but they need to saturated heavily in His word. Their minds are like sponges. What they are exposed to they will soak up. If you want them to walk the straight and narrow then they need to be immersed in scripture.

Make a plan with your teen. Opening your Bible at random daily and reading whatever pops up first is better than not reading your Bible at all, but it is not the most efficient way at studying God’s word. Make a plan to read the Bible book by book as it was written. Map out your Bible studies as if it were a family vacation that you are about to take. There are breaks in each book. There are breaks in chapters. Pick a book and break it down together. Read each chapter and medicate on what it is explaining to us. Do not fly blindly.

Reward your teens diligence. It is completely fine to offer a reward for dedication to God’s word. The Lord blesses us constantly, and the best thing that a teenager can be doing in their life is reading God’s word and allowing it to shape their daily lives. If they are doing so, let them know they are doing an honorable thing by giving them a little reward.

There will be failures. Give each other grace, but firmly encourage your teen to press on and strive to do what is right. No one is perfect. No matter how much we read, nor how hard we try, we will fail at some point. We know that we should pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and move forward. Let your teens know this as well. They can fail from time to time, but it is not good to make it a habit. Also, you will not have all the answers. Your children know this. It is okay not to have the answer for them right away. If you need to do some research, do your research and get back with them. If you want to sit down and find the answer together that would be great as well. Be transparent and grow together.

Know that life is not a 50 yard dash. It is a marathon. We know the end point, but hopefully the race will be a long one. Rome was not built in a day, and your teenagers will not likely experience a life altering shift in a days time. But they will as they remain in His word and apply it to their lives. God’s word will change the lives of those who diligently read it and allow Him to change them. I hope that you will encourage your teen to dig deeper into God’s word and make it a staple in their daily walk.

God’s word is a weapon that we use to fight in this world. Our physical lives are relatively at peace, but our spiritual lives are constantly at war. We are attacked daily from all fronts, and the best fighting chance we have at succeeding in these battles is that we stand firm in God’s word, and allow Him to fight the battles for us. You may have a great life, but if you want better for your children then they must have more than you spiritually speaking.