Know God Better: Bible Reading for Families

Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jeremiah 31:3

Have you ever sat down to read the Bible with your kids—hoping for a meaningful moment—only to close it and wonder if it made any difference? 

I’ve been there. 

I’d open my Bible (or Bible app) with good intentions, then walk away feeling like something important had to be missing. 

For years, I missed the main reason that God gave us the Bible.

I approached it like a how-to guide, looking for quick fixes or instructions to simplify my life. Struggling with patience? Find a verse. Teaching about kindness? There must be a passage for that. 

And yes, Scripture gives us wisdom for life. But it’s not a how-to manual. 

It’s an invitation to know our living God. An invitation for our kids, and for us.

God gave us His Word so that we could know Him.

That’s the main point of the Bible. 

From the first page to the last page, God is showing us who He is—what He’s like, what He cares about, and how much He loves us. 

The Bible isn’t mostly about us—it’s about God. 

When you understand this, reading the Bible gets so much better! Instead of asking, “What am I supposed to do?” you can ask, “What is this showing me about God?” 

When you read Bible stories, look for clues about what God is like: 

• How patient He is (like when Peter kept messing up but Jesus never gave up on him) 
• How He solves problems in amazing ways 
• How He always rescues and helps people—offering hope even in the hardest situations 

Maybe you’ve had trouble with the Bible because: 

• It seemed boring or not related to your life 
• You thought it was just a bunch of rules 
• You didn’t know what to look for when reading it 
• Bible reading felt like just one more thing to do 

The Bible is an invitation to relationship—a conversation starter—rather than a rulebook. 

On every page, God is saying, “Here’s who I am. Here’s what I’m like. Here’s how much I love you. Here’s what it’s like to be my kid.” 

Try this before tomorrow: Open your Bible to any story about Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Instead of thinking, “What should I do?” ask, “What does this show me about what God is like?” 

Let that spark hope in you—God wants to be known. He’s already drawing you and your kids closer. Remember: The whole reason we have the Bible is to help us know God better. That’s why He gave it to us!

Hey Parents: Use this section to share the topic with your kids each day.

Kid Connection: Wonder Together 

“The Bible isn’t just a book of rules—it’s God’s way of introducing Himself to us! What’s one thing you’d like to know about God that we could look for in the Bible?” 

Tomorrow, we’ll learn something that can change how you see the Bible forever!

Scriptures: Luke 7:11-16, Hebrews 13:8

Who is your favorite Bible character? 

I’ve asked and answered this question countless times. I’ve taught lessons on Bible characters and even dressed up as them for church events. As a kid, I wore a Burger King crown and dressed up like Queen Esther most years for Halloween. 

There’s nothing wrong with having favorites or calling them “Bible characters.” But I’ve learned something important: 

The people in the Bible weren’t just characters in a story—they were real people who met God. 

For a long time, when I read the Bible, I’d just look for the lesson to learn. I treated Bible people like they were only there to teach me something. 

I forgot they were real humans who breathed, felt things, and had actual conversations with God. 

These aren’t just stories for you and me—they were conversations, and hang outs, and healings, as real people meet up with the same God we know.

One day, everything changed for me. I still remember sitting there with my Bible open, reading Luke 7, like I’d read it before. And I wept over what God did for a widow in a city called Nain. 

We don’t know this woman’s name. We don’t know her backstory. But Jesus knew everything about her. He knew her son had died, and He brought him back to life! 

I suddenly realized this wasn’t just a cool miracle story—this was something amazing that Jesus did for a real person who was hurting. 

When you read this story today, try to see it as a real event that really happened, and notice what stands out to you. Maybe it’s things like: 

• Jesus had compassion on her—the same compassion He has for you today 
• Jesus spoke directly to her pain—”Do not weep” 
• Jesus responded to a need she hadn’t even told him about—no words were necessary 

This wasn’t a show Jesus put on for the crowd. Or a story for us to read and learn from later. He was helping a real mom who lost her son. 

That day, I cried tears of gratitude for what Jesus did for this widow. 
Like she was my friend. Like I knew her in real life and I was moved by God’s compassion for her. 

I think that happened because: 

1. God helped me see it differently 
2. I slowed down enough to remember she was real 

When you remember that Bible “characters” were actual people having real-time meet-ups with God, Scripture transforms from a collection of moral lessons into a window to see how God treats people He loves. 

God teaches us through their stories. He offers truth that applies to our lives today. And that begins with us noticing more about who He is and what He is like toward us. 

The same God who noticed a widow’s tears notices yours. 

The same Jesus who stopped a funeral wants to step into your circumstances too. 

You’re also someone God knows completely and loves totally. He wants to be part of your life too.

Kid Connection: Let’s Talk About It 

“The people in the Bible were real people with feelings just like us. How do you think the mom in Luke 7 felt when Jesus brought her son back to life? How would you have felt if you were there watching it happen?” 

If you’ve ever felt lost in Bible stories or struggled to connect them to your own life, tomorrow will be a game-changer.

Scriptures: Matthew 14:22-33, Luke 24:27

Have you ever started watching a movie but kept thinking about the previews instead? 

The movie starts playing, but you’re like, “Wait—what are we watching again?” 

I do that with the Bible all the time! 

Sometimes I bring the “previews” of my own life—stress, relationship problems, chores I need to do—to my Bible reading. Or I get so interested in the Bible characters that I completely forget who the story is really about. 

This is one of the easiest ways to miss what God wants to show you. 

Yesterday we talked about how Bible characters were real individuals who really met God. But that doesn’t mean the people are the most important part of the story. 

When I read Bible stories, I used to focus on the humans—what they did right, what they did wrong—and I completely missed seeing that God is the main character of His own story. 

When we miss seeing God there, we’re missing the whole point. 

Let’s look at the story of Peter walking on water. Usually, we talk about how Peter had enough faith to step out of the boat, but then got scared and started to sink when he looked at the waves. We hear things like “be brave like Peter” or “keep your eyes on Jesus, not your problems.” 

Those are good lessons, but when I make Peter the star of the story, I miss seeing what Jesus was doing.

Try looking at this story differently. What was Jesus doing?

• Jesus went off by Himself to pray (He makes time to talk with God) 
• Jesus walked on water (He has power over nature) 
• Jesus told the disciples “Don’t be afraid” (He comforts people) 
• Jesus invited Peter to come to Him (He includes us in miracles) 
• Jesus immediately grabbed Peter when he started sinking (He rescues us) 

This works with every Bible story. God is always the main character. 

When we understand that these were people AND see God’s central role in their stories, Scripture comes alive to us. 

In David and Goliath, instead of just focusing on how brave David was, look at how God used someone small to do something big. 

In Esther, beyond admiring her courage, notice how God was working behind the scenes the whole time. 

Every story points to Jesus. Every Bible passage shows something about who He is, what He’s like, and how He cares for His people. 

When you read the Bible, try asking: 

• What does this show me about what God is like? 
• How is Jesus showing up in this story? 
• What is God doing that only He could do? 
• How does this connect to God’s big story of love and rescue? 

As you read today, look for how God shows up as the main character of the story. Ask Him to show you something different about Him than what you’d noticed before.

Kid Connection: Try This 

“Let’s play a game called Spot God next time we read a Bible story. Instead of just talking about what the people did, we’ll look for where God shows up and what He does. It’s like a treasure hunt for God in the Bible!” 

Ready to feel more connected to God? Your time in the Bible can get even BETTER. I’ll see you tomorrow!

Scriptures: Psalms 119:18, John 14:16-17, Deuteronomy 4:39

Imagine this: 

I’m interviewing a guest on the Good God Talks podcast. The author joins the call, camera on, ready to talk. But instead of talking with them, I pull out their book and start reading it silently while they just sit there waiting. 

Pretty weird, right? But we do this with God sometimes when we read the Bible. 

We read about Him as if He isn’t right there with us while we’re reading.

Having a relationship with God might sound complicated, but it’s actually simple—because God helps us get to know Him. 

Think about how you make friends: 

1. You talk to each other 
2. You do things together 

God made us to connect this way, and He connects with us like this too. 

Reading the Bible isn’t just something you do to learn facts about God—it’s something you do WITH God. 

I wish someone had told me this sooner! 

For years, I read the Bible like it was just another assignment. I’d read about God talking to other people, never realizing that God wanted to talk to ME through those same words. 

Here’s the game-changing truth: When you open your Bible, God is right there with you. He’s not a distant author who wrote something a long time ago and left you to figure it out by yourself. He’s actively communicating with you at that moment. 

God is speaking to you through His words, right now as you read them. 

So how do you turn Bible reading from a solo activity into a conversation with God? 

It’s super simple: Recognize that God is with you and ask to read with Him. 

Before you start reading, try saying something like: 

• “God, I know You’re here with me right now.” 
• “Jesus, help me hear what You want to tell me today.” 
• “Holy Spirit, show me what You want me to see today.” 

Then, as you read, pause and talk to God about what you’re reading: 

• “What are You showing me here, God?” 
• “What does this tell me about who You are?” 
• “What does this mean for my relationship with You?” 

This isn’t just a reading trick—it’s about having a relationship. 

You’re not studying an old book; you’re having a conversation with its Author who is sitting right beside you. 

There are things God wants to share with you—ideas He wants you to understand, truths about who He is, and how He sees you. You’re not meant to figure it all out on your own. As you talk with Him, He helps you understand more. 

And God doesn’t only share things with you. He heals and transforms you. You don’t have to figure that out on your own, either. 

Next time you open your Bible, try this simple change: Instead of reading ABOUT God, read WITH God. Remember He’s there, ask Him questions, listen for His answers, and see how the same passages you’ve read before suddenly become much more meaningful.

Kid Connection: Ask This 

“When we talk to our friends, we take turns listening and speaking. Did you know we can talk to God the same way when we read the Bible? What’s one question you’d like to ask God about what we just read?” 

Parents: You don’t need to know the answers. Help them ask God their questions, share what you know, and seek God’s answers together. 

Tomorrow, we’ll put everything together. Discover how to find God not just in the Bible, but everywhere in your life!

Scriptures: John 20:11-16, Matthew 28:18-20, Psalms 139:1-5

Have you ever looked right at something without actually seeing it? 

Maybe you’ve searched all over for your glasses while they were on top of your head. Or maybe you’ve been looking for your phone while holding it in your hand (I’ve done this!). 

Sometimes, we do the same thing with God. He’s right there with us, but we don’t notice Him. 

Even Mary Magdalene, who was one of Jesus’ closest followers, didn’t recognize Him after He rose from the dead. She saw Him die on the cross and went to His tomb to take care of His body. When she found the tomb empty, she was devastated. 

But when Jesus came and stood right in front of her, she thought He was just the gardener! She didn’t recognize Him until He said her name: “Mary.” 

Now, Mary deserves some credit here. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and she didn’t know that yet. 

But let’s consider for a moment… 

Why didn’t Mary recognize Jesus?

• She wasn’t expecting to see Him alive (she was looking for a dead body, not a living Savior) 
• She was so sad and confused that she couldn’t see clearly 
• Jesus might have looked different than she expected 

I see myself in Mary’s story. 

God is right there with me, but I miss Him because:

• I expect Him to show up in certain ways, not others 
• My feelings (like being upset or busy) make it hard to notice Him 
• I forget who He really is in that moment 

Sometimes I actually do sense God’s presence, but I misunderstand who He is in that moment—just like Mary did. 

I can forget that the God who created the universe, the King of Kings who knows and loves me, is with me in my situation. 

But we don’t have to forget. We can remember who God is and what it means that He’s with us. 

Over the past four days, we’ve learned to see God in the Bible: 

• As the whole point 
• As the main character 
• As the Author who talks with us 

Today, look for God in your everyday life too. 

God is just as present when you’re doing housework or homework as He is when you’re reading your Bible. 

He’s with you during tough conversations with friends, boring chores, fun games, and quiet moments alone. God doesn’t leave us, we just need to practice noticing Him there. 

Sometimes we need Jesus to call our name, like He did for Mary, to help us realize He’s right in front of us. 

The cool thing? He wants to do exactly that. 

How can you get better at noticing God throughout your day? 

1. Take quick pauses to remember He’s with you (“God, I know You’re here”) 
2. Look for Him in unexpected places (not just at church or during prayer) 
3. Invite Him into everything you do (“God, please be with me during this _____.”) 
4. Ask Him to help you see Him in ways you might be missing 

The same God who shows Himself in the Bible shows Himself at home, in the car, on the sports field—everywhere you go. 

Like Mary, you might be looking right at Him without recognizing Him. But when He calls your name—in that quiet thought, that “aha!” moment, that feeling of peace when you’re worried—you’ll know it’s Him. 

Remember this truth: God is with you always, everywhere. The things we’ve learned together all help you experience life with God more fully. 

He knows your name. He sees you. 

And He’s inviting you to see Him too—not just in the Bible, but in every moment of your life.

Kid Connection: Wonder Together 

“God is with us all the time, not just when we’re reading the Bible or praying. Where do you think you might notice God today? At school? While playing? When we’re having dinner? Let’s both look for ways God might be showing us He’s with us.”