The following post was written by Carrie Ward and featured in Life Action's Fall 2009 issue of Revive Magazine. Carrie's husband, Wes, serves on staff with Revive Our Hearts. I'd love to know what you think of Carrie's journey through the Bible with her four young kids over the breakfast table. Any moms out there up for a similar adventure?
I’ve made many attempts to have a faithful devotional life, but they were always short-lived. I suppose I expected the discipline of Bible study to be easy for a Christian. When it was difficult and overwhelming for me, I felt discouraged and defeated.
In the process of a family struggle, I cried out to God for help, and He did something I wasn’t expecting at all. He revived me. He placed in me a hunger to know Him more intimately, along with a deep desire to read His Word.
I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to delve into the Bible. However, there was something ironic about God’s timing. I was the mother of three children under age four. God gave me this great hunger for His Word at the most hectic time of my life! Yet I was determined not to let the busyness of being a wife and mom—or my past discouragements—diminish this appetite.
So I launched into a routine of Bible reading and prayer. Unfortunately, I quickly faced those same struggles with inconsistency that had plagued me for years. But I kept trying.
I also felt an urgency to get more of God’s Word into the hearts of my kids. We had just finished a children’s devotional book, and I was looking for what to do next … when an idea hit. I had two goals: I wanted to read the Bible, and I wanted my children to know God’s Word. Why not do both at the same time? Why not read the entire Bible together?
My plan was simple: one chapter a day, five days a week. I shared this plan with my husband, Wes, and he provided much needed encouragement. However, after voicing the plan, I became curious to know how long it would take us to read the entire Bible. I put pencil to paper (factoring in “sick days”), and—Yikes!—my plan was going to take EIGHT YEARS!
I must admit, the idea of such a long-term commitment intimidated me, but I had a longing that would not go away. So, we began.
The first few days of reading were tricky. I was all jazzed at the prospect of reading the whole Bible. For some unknown reason, I thought my children would share my enthusiasm. Instead, while I was reading about the fall of man, they were jumping and spinning in their chairs. I felt like I was reading out loud to myself.
But God was gracious to not leave me feeling this way for long. On the fourth day, after our reading, my kids went off to play. Then I noticed what they were playing. They were acting out what we had just read—in great detail. They hadn’t appeared to be listening, but they were hearing. They were hearing the Word of God. This was the boost I needed to keep going.
I soon realized that reading the Bible to children is not without some complications. Let’s face it, the Bible (particularly the Old Testament) can be quite graphic. I almost panicked when my preschool kids asked, “Mom, what’s a prostitute?”
Moments like that prompted me to start scanning ahead so I would know what was coming. I also came up with my own definitions for certain words—words my children needed to hear in order to understand the story but didn’t necessarily need a complete definition for just yet. So, for example, a virgin is “a woman who has never been married.” A prostitute is “a woman who goes from one man to another to another, instead of remaining faithful to a husband.” You get the idea.
Before long, I could tell that they really were listening and getting drawn into each story. After reading about a long line of Israel’s kings who did what was evil and provoked the Lord to anger, we came to the end of 1 Kings 16. Here we read about Ahab becoming king of Israel. The Bible says he did more to provoke the anger of the Lord than all the kings of Israel who were before him. When we finished reading chapter 16, I said, “Tomorrow, Elijah comes on the scene.” My daughter yelled, “Yay, we need this guy!”
Not only were they following along closely with the stories, but God was increasing their capacity to understand. Once I was working hard to explain what it means to quench the Spirit. I likened it to throwing water on a fire. I was trying to come up with another illustration when I looked over at my son. He had his index finger pointing up, with the other hand covering his finger, while he was singing softly, “Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.” He got it.
I shouldn’t be surprised when they understand, just like I shouldn’t be surprised when they want to respond to what we read. I saw this in an unusual and amusing way one morning as Wes was packing for a business trip. My son exclaimed, “While Dad’s away, we should fast from sinning.” Wes and I looked at each other. “Fast from what?” “From sinning,” he said again, smiling. “And the reward for not sinning is donuts!”
That was the first of a series of requests he made to fast and pray. We had read accounts of people who fasted and prayed, and he was ready to participate. He wanted to obey and that obedience was prompted by the Word of God. We did try to fast from sinning while Dad was away. (And Dad agreed to try not to sin while he was gone.) I’m not sure it was a total fast, but in the end we did enjoy the donuts.
How could I go from an inconsistent devotional life to a steady time of reading and meditating on Scripture? God used my children! He took a discipline that had been a struggle for me and made it an immeasurable joy. I am overflowing with gratitude to God for giving me this idea and for constantly fueling the desire to be in His Word.
After five years, we finished the Bible on March 19, 2007. We spent the day celebrating together as a family. The experience was more than simply maintaining a discipline; it was about getting to know God.
On March 20, 2007, we started over in Genesis. Together, we continue—one chapter and one day at a time.
Comments
*The following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.
My heart was so blessed by what you shared and gives much hope for the rest. I totally understand the wigggly children and I've learned from you it's ok. For me to get upset does NOT fullfill what we want to accomplish. I needed this note!!!!
So Grateful,
Tammy
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:20 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:24 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:38 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:52 am
I had my season of intense Bible study. I started reading through the Bible every year on my own at 12 and did this consistently until I went to Bible college as an adult. I realize now how hungry I've been for the Word. The manna is for each day. I can't rest on my laurels, so to speak, but I also don't have to have a devotional life now that looks the same as when I was single.
Thanks for this post from Carrie, Paula. =)
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:57 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:14 am
Now me and my youngest daughter are on the way of memorizing psalms 119. One small step at a time.
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:34 am
As I prepared for leading inductive Bible study, my girls got involved, as well. The little two-year-old would think up illustrations and word markings. They would hear me reading verses over and over again. They ingested the Word and really understood while young and have continued to grow! Jesus saves!
Annie
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 9:02 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:03 am
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 12:26 pm
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 1:51 pm
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 2:37 pm
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm
By the way, my father-in-law (who is a physician) shared with me one time that studies have shown that children who have been exposed to the Bible and all the stories in it are better prepared for various life circumstances that they face later on than ones who have not heard the Word. He said that we didn't need to worry about the violence (eg David cutting off Goliath's head, King Solomon suggesting cutting baby in two, etc) Love how you explained the prostitue, etc. Thank you!
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 3:24 am
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9:57 am
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 10:40 am
Paula asked me to share a few things I did with my son when he was a teen. I don't know whether your son is much of a reader or not -- it helps when they like to read, but even if they don't, there are creative ways to get the Word in them :-)
I like to recommend students using a workbook along with their Bible study. It seems to help keep them interested while training them to have a focused time in the Word. Here are a few my teens have done:
"How Now Shall We Live?" (Student Edition) By Chuck Colson and Nancy Pearcey
"Experiencing God" (Student Edition) By Henry Blackaby
"Sex is Not the Problem, Lust Is" Book and Workbook by Joshua Harris
We've also taken a book from Scripture to focus on in the summer and I've written "Making it Personal" questions for him to use as he works through the book on his own.
Some of the books I recommend to teens for inspirational reading:
The "Jesus Freaks" series which highlights stories of Christian teens who courageously faced persecution. You can find out more at this site:
http://www.jesusfreaks.net/
"Do Hard Things" by Brett and Alex Harris is a GREAT book for teens to read (or anyone really). Also, their website would be a good one for your son to camp out in for a bit when he's online.
http://www.therebelution.com/blog/
My son has read several of Eric and Leslie Ludy's books and we both HIGHLY recommend them. Check out their website and get info on their resources:
http://www.ellerslie.com/Home.html
If you're son isn't really into reading, you might consider loading an i-pod with audio passages from Proverbs, James, John and some Psalms.
Whew! That's just a few things for starters. There's some really good stuff out there, but also lots of junk -- so be careful.
Hope this helps!
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I know Kim's response above is meant for Stephanie, but wanted to thank you anyway for sharing all those resources for helping teens get into the Word -- that is helpful and a blessing!
In His love,
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm
on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 9:29 am
It was such a blessing to hear you speak!!
you are a great speaker!!! also Shannon is a great singer.
on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 6:52 pm
on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 6:54 pm
And you are a very fun aunt:)
on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Praise the Lord!
Thank you for a great testimony and inspiration.
on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10:33 pm
on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 5:18 pm