A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {Life Isn't About Me}

Why read the Bible to our little ones? Two and three year olds often wiggle and chatter so much we wonder if they are hearing a word we read! Can we really expect much to come of our efforts?

Lately my heart has been impressed with urgency. We just don't know how much time or opportunity we will have with our children. We don't know what a day may bring for them or for us. If I want to shape and influence their hearts for eternity, if I want to store up solid truths for them to draw from in life's trials, today is the day to do it. Today is the day of salvation {2 Corinthians 6:2}.

My goal as a God-fearing mother is to provide my children with a Gospel worldview. I want them to know who they are and why they are here. Our identity centers on God, who He is and what He says about us. This month's Bible reading plan is intended to give our children a sense of their purpose in life. They are never too young to begin laying this framework!

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever! We're also called to consider others as more important than ourselves, to love and serve the people God places in our circle.

All humans struggle with assuming that the world revolves around them... but never is it so undisguised and on display as it is in the lives of small children. Am I right?? That's why it's all the more urgent to speak these all important words to them now, with regularity and consistency; love one another, consider others more significant than yourselves, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God!

Let's be honest- so much of my own sin in motherhood comes from self centeredness! I yell at my kids because they aren't doing what I want when I want and it's a nuisance. I grumble and am discontented because I don't have enough "me" time. I wish they would just fall asleep quicker, stay asleep longer, and be a little quieter when they are up. The passages on this month's plan are poignant reminders for me too.

As usual, there are 20 passages {one for each weekday, for a month}. I've culled both Old and New Testament passages to give a broader introduction to Scripture as a whole. They vary in length and topic, and it's up to you to give context and discuss it with your kids.  I hope it is a blessing to you and your family!

You can access the plan here.

If you like this plan, I think you would like my new ebook! It's called Read the Bible to Your Kids: A Year of Simple Plans to get into the Word Together. 

I've created 13 topical, month long plans with passages from both the Old and New Testament. The passages are short {for short attention spans!}, and the PDF file can easily be printed off for you to check off boxes as you read.

It's a great, simple solution for families who want to build Word-centered solutions. You can find out what people are saying about it, the topics the plans cover, and download your copy for only $4.99 right here.

When Your Fresh Start Falls Flat

We moved cross country at the very end of July.

"Yippee!" I thought. "A fresh start, right before the beginning of the school year- I can put my best foot forward, start living the way I mean to from Day 1 so that the habits just stick, and be awesome. The end."

I planned to blog regularly {duh- what else would I be doing with no local friends to spend time with?!}, eat healthily {"we just won't buy any junk or processed food at the new house"}, get our home beautifully organized and decorated, crack down on finances, FINALLY start going to bed earlier, etc.

The Beginning of Our Home School

Unbelievably and outrageously, against all of my adamant motherly protestations, my oldest child turned 5 this summer. Cue the sobbing. This little girl is getting way too big, way too fast. 

We've planned to homeschool for quite awhile now... and with that first fifth birthday comes the first timid steps of our homeschooling journey. Gulp. 

While I'm not going too heavy on the academics this year {S's birthday is late enough that we could wait a year to start kindergarten if necessary}, I am determined to get started. With that start comes a million anxieties and uncertainties. I recently wrote a post about those fears and how I'm navigating them at My Joy Filled Life. I'd be honored if you headed on over there and gave it a read!

What fears have you experienced at the beginning of your children's school years? I'm sure homeschooling and non-homeschooling moms alike have them! What advice or inspirations helped you to work through those fears?

A Bible Reading Plan for Little Ones {Back to School Edition}

With the start of a new school year fresh upon us, I thought it would be beneficial to focus on wisdom and knowledge {primarily found in Christ and His Word!} for this month's Bible reading plan.

If you're new to these printables, here's how they work: head to this link and print off your free copy. You will find short passages to read with your family each weekday, Monday-Friday, for four weeks. I've included excerpts from both the Old and New Testament to encourage familiarity with the Bible as a whole. Next to each reference I've written a brief description of the main point we're trying to drive home to our kids.

My family generally does this Bible reading at meals. The goal for this month is to read the passage at breakfast, before we dive into our homeschool for the day {my kids are still pretty young, so school time is pretty short, sweet, and simple}. We will also review it with Daddy reading it again at dinner.

I hope it will be a blessing to you and your kids as you seek to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God. As always, please send me any feedback {comments. questions. concerns.} at thepurposefulwife@gmail.com. Thank you for choosing this resource!

Get your copy of the Back to School Bible Reading Plan here.

P.S. Tips for reading the Bible to small children.

If you like this plan, I think you would like my new ebook! It's called Read the Bible to Your Kids: A Year of Simple Plans to get into the Word Together. 

I've created 13 topical, month long plans with passages from both the Old and New Testament. The passages are short {for short attention spans!}, and the PDF file can easily be printed off for you to check off boxes as you read.

It's a great, simple solution for families who want to build Word-centered solutions. You can find out what people are saying about it, the topics the plans cover, and download your copy for only $4.99 right here.