By Tim Pollard
Noted author A. W. Tozer is credited with saying: “Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” If Tozer’s assertion is true, we should be about the business of introducing the Bible—in its entirety—to the boys and girls we minister to. Helping boys and girls know God’s Word, and use it, is what we mean when we use the words biblical literacy. Unfortunately, today biblical literacy is lacking in many adults, teens, and certainly our kids. Let’s consider a few ways we can help build foundational understandings of God’s Word upon which kids can develop strong biblical literacy!
Why is biblical literacy important?
The apostle Paul says: “All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB) Tozer may have had this Scripture in mind when he mentioned the whole Bible being necessary. Paul says that all of God’s Word is important, and it teaches, corrects, and trains us so that we can be complete Christians.
What can we do?
Paul said that God’s Word is given to us, in essence, to make us complete. To become complete, we must submit to the Bible’s authority as it teaches, corrects, and trains. That process can start with even the youngest of learners. Guiding kids on their path to biblical literacy begins with an introduction to God’s Word and highlighting valuable skills kids can incorporate into their lives.
There are three types of Bible skills that will help develop a child’s biblical literacy: knowledge, practicable skills, and application. First, there are things about the Bible that kids just need to know. Second, kids can develop tangible skills that will help them as they learn how to use their Bibles and find things that will impact their lives. Third, kids can learn to apply the things they discover as they read God’s Word. Each of these things can be taught at any age as appropriate.
Basic facts kids need to know about the Bible include:
The Bible is God’s Word.
The Bible was written by men, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and all its words are true.
The Bible teaches about Jesus and shows us how God wants us to live.
Practicable Bible skills can include identifying the different parts of the Bible, saying the names of Bible people and places, and finding individual books. Scripture memorization is also an important skill that leads to biblical literacy.
Kids can learn to apply Scripture when they drill down to the meaning of a verse and see how that passage applies to their own life. Kids will also apply Scripture as they begin a habit of daily Bible reading as they interact with God’s Word.
Building a foundation for understanding God’s Word will build biblical literacy that will last a lifetime. As you seek to guide boys and girls to be biblically literate, begin teaching foundational skills no matter the age of your children.
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