In the best rest time on earth for children – a prayed-over, pleasant time of consistent listening to Scripture – I learned lessons which I pray are helpful for you and your family.
Age-appropriate
Children are very impressionable and tender-hearted. They’re like wet cement – in a very few years an enormous, lifelong impression is made. Parents are their gatekeepers. Children need to be shielded from news, movies, media, conversations, situations, etc. that are traumatic, abusive, defiled and explicit sexually or violent. In our world today in the midst of wars, both visible and invisible, sometimes that is impossible. However, whatever we can shield them from is vital to their healthy development.
When they experience something we can’t shield them from, they need to be prayed over for cleansing and stabilizing, and helped to feel safe by: a. their parents’ comfort and b. age appropriate processing (for example: “I felt scared, did you? [Let them answer.] We remember that Jesus is with us, He will never leave us. Jesus, help us feel safe in You.”)
I realize this is a tall order. Yet. . .dearly honored parents, Father gives more grace where there is more sin, and there is more sin in our day. You, dearly honored parents, are here on earth raising these little ones for such a time as this. Greater grace to you, honored parent!
If you realize you’re in need of these things – comfort, processing, cleansing and stabilizing – remember you, too, are a child of your Heavenly Father. Go to Him in prayer, faith, and tears, if needs be, as a child.
Back to the Bible, I rotated the Bible on audio between Old and New Testaments. There were certain portions that I skipped and left off the rotation altogether — and I’ll explain why.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV, 2 Timothy 3:16).
That’s very true. Scripture is God-breathed (inspired!) and is useful to teach, rebuke, correct and train in right-ness.
However, not every portion in Scripture are the very words of Father God, Jesus or Holy Spirit. (Here’s where a red-letter Bible version is very handy!) Father inspired writers through the centuries to record what He directed for our benefit and training – and so that we would recognize Jesus. Further, the Scriptures are the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
Here’s my point. Point your children to their Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus – first and foremost.
Some of the historical record in Scripture of what people did, and the subsequent response is violent and/or explicit. It is important from Father that we have this Scripture record: to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness.
When the children hear Scripture about Jesus (and the impact of His words, life, death, and resurrection), their hearts are moved toward their Heavenly Father through Jesus by Holy Spirit.
To achieve that primary goal and to protect their sensitive spirits and souls, I recommend the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John first. Further, Acts is very wonderful for its action-packed record of the expanse of the Good News of Jesus. Hebrews, 1st John, 2nd John and 3rd John are helpful in laying down children’s spiritual foundation as well.
In a world that does not recognize the value or significance of life, it is important to lay the foundation for our children with Genesis.
Exodus and Numbers are great action-packed adventures with lessons that lay the spiritual foundation for your children. Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes build a framework for wisdom in their hearts and neurological development. Ruth, Esther, Nehemiah and Joshua are wonderful examples of faithfulness of people, their relationship with Father God, and His intervening presence.
That’s what I recommend for young children – with the caveat below (dramatized vs. non-dramatized).
Older children can expand in more books of the Bible, but I do recommend leaving off Judges 20 and Revelation until you are led by Holy Spirit to add them – or until they are reading the Bible personally. At that point, I spoke with my sons, having prayed, before they read it. That occurred somewhere in their tween years.
Dramatized vs. Non-dramatized
There are several versions of Scripture recorded on audio. Some can be found on YouTube. I used the NIV because that was available at the time.
The NIV recorded two versions: Dramatized and Non-dramatized.
In our “best rest time on earth” schedule, I played the dramatized version. Again, that was available for me at the time – there are more options now.
Looking back, my sons said they liked the dramatized version. Be led by the Holy Spirit. Some parts of Scripture are intense.
I do recommend choosing a well-researched/translated version of Scripture as opposed to a child version of Scripture. Well-researched/translated versions include: New International Version (NIV), King James Version (KJV) and New American Standard Version (NASB).
While I honor those who are making Scripture accessible for children, the children do need to hear Scripture in a pure form. I believe that the NIV and NASB provide Scripture in a form that is understandable for children, as they listen and play quietly without interruption from media/tech.
Though I did read a children’s book version of the Bible (or children’s Bible stories) together with my sons, I don’t recommend their listening to a child’s version of the Bible.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (NIV, John 14:26).
A pure form of the words of Jesus (not a diluted version for children) is what Holy Spirit will use to teach and remind them (NIV, John 14:6). It’s our part to give Holy Spirit what He needs to teach and remind our children (and ourselves!).
. . .to be continued.
Crystal Wade, © 2025
The Living Hope Blog 