Many parents read Bible Stories to their children that are written by men. Children learn Bible stories in Sunday School from curriculum written by men. We should be reading the Bible, the Word of God, just as it is to our children since it does not come back void. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it {Isaiah 55:11}. It is the only thing that has the power to transform lives. It is living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart {Hebrews 4:12}
Paul began 2 Timothy praising Timothy's grandmother and mother for passing on their faith to Timothy when he was a child. "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also" {2 Timothy 1:5}. Later on in the book, Paul wrote this to him, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" {2 Timothy 3:15-17}.
Timothy's mother and grandmother didn't teach him Bible stories that were written by men. No, they taught him the Word to him from childhood and so should we with our children. Nothing man writes can compare to the pure Word of God. Nothing transforms like the pure Word of God. Nothing convicts, challenges, reproves or corrects like the pure Word of God. Nothing else can make children "wise unto salvation through faith...in Christ Jesus." Nothing can take the Bible's place.
When my children were young, I drove them to AWANA every week while they were growing up. AWANA is a great program that teaches and motivates children to memorize the Word of God. My last two children started when they were only three years old and they all went through junior high. They memorized a ton of Scripture. AWANA used the KJV which is easy to memorize because of the way it is worded. I love the KJV but if you want to use another version, use it but make sure your children are hearing and memorizing the pure Word of God since nothing can compare to it.
Finally, they must know the Word of God so they will be holding fast the faithful word as {they} hath been taught, that {they} may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers {Titus 1:9}.There will be many who will oppose what your children say if they speak Truth. There is a lack of Bible knowledge among people today but if they know the Word of God from childhood, they will be able to speak Truth into the lives of those who don't know it or oppose them. This, my friends, is the most important gift you can give your children for there is NO greater joy than to hear your children walk in Truth {3 John 4}.
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
Finally, they must know the Word of God so they will be holding fast the faithful word as {they} hath been taught, that {they} may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers {Titus 1:9}.There will be many who will oppose what your children say if they speak Truth. There is a lack of Bible knowledge among people today but if they know the Word of God from childhood, they will be able to speak Truth into the lives of those who don't know it or oppose them. This, my friends, is the most important gift you can give your children for there is NO greater joy than to hear your children walk in Truth {3 John 4}.
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
