How to Lead a Kid-Friendly Bible Study (Even If They Don’t “Get It” Yet)

How To Lead a Kid-Friendly Bible Study

One of my foundational beliefs in parenting and discipleship is this:

There is no Junior Holy Spirit.

Kids are just as capable of hearing God’s voice, responding to Scripture, and encountering the presence of Jesus as any adult. The challenge is not their capacity—it’s our approach.

We often assume the Bible is “too big,” “too complex,” or “too scary” for children, so we default to only retelling Bible stories or relying on children’s Bibles. While those have value, nothing can replace the raw written Word of God.

Even if they don’t fully understand it.

Why Kids Need the Real Word of God

If we believe children are created in the image of God, then we also believe their spirit is designed to respond to Scripture—before their minds fully grasp it.

Kids are body, soul, and spirit. When you read the Bible over them, their spirits absorb truth, even when their minds get distracted or their hands start playing with toys.

Think of it like planting seeds. You may not see fruit today—but seeds are being planted in good soil, and when the time is right the fruit will be formed. An Olive seed takes up to 30 years to bear olives, some nut trees take 80 years to bear their fruit, God is concerned with the generations, not a quick fix to behavior. 

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Every Sunday, I lead a small pre-service Bible class for kids ranging from 5 years old to 5th grade (which is… quite the spread!).

We are currently reading through Revelation as a church, and one week I read Revelation 4—the Throne Room of Heaven—over the kids.

Here’s what we did:

1. I read the passage out loud from the Bible.

2. I told the kids to draw what they saw in their minds.

3. The 5-year-old lost interest halfway through and began playing quietly. Which didn’t mean she wasn’t receiving. Her spirit was still hearing the Word.

4. Then we read the Jesus Storybook Bible version of the same scene.

5. The older kids compared what was missing in the kid version—and noticed how the scarier parts were softened.

6. We then talked about worship—because the elders cast their crowns and fall down before the throne.

The whole thing took 30 minutes. And they were engaged at their own developmental level.

Don’t Be Afraid of What Kids “Can’t Handle”

Yes, there are passages that aren’t appropriate for little ears—but shielding them from the Word entirely only makes them unfamiliar and intimidated by it later.

Too many teenagers and young adults say:

“I just don’t know how to read the Bible.”

Because no one ever showed them how to wrestle with Scripture, say, “That doesn’t make sense yet,” or sit with difficult passages.

So How Do You Start?

Here’s a simple path:

• Pick one passage per week.

• Read it out loud.

• Give them a way to interact:

  • Draw what they hear

  • Act it out

  • Build it with blocks or Legos

  • Ask what they think the people felt, feared, or hoped for

• Let questions happen naturally.

• Don’t worry if they don’t sit still.

You’re building familiarity, not mastery.

Helpful Ideas

• Bible drills (who can find the verse fastest?)

• Scripture memory challenges

• Cooking or crafting based on biblical stories

• Sensory experiences (like baking matzah during Passover readings)

• Family worship nights

Remember: Your ceiling becomes their floor. They will only go as far spiritually as you show them is possible.

Want Help With This?

📖 Download my FREE eBook: God’s Design for Family

It will help you understand why your home—not the church—is your child’s primary training ground.

🎓 Check Out: Raising Kingdom Kids Identity Course

Help your kids build a foundation of identity in Christ so Scripture feels personal—not distant or confusing.

📚 Book 4 of The Armor Series Releases December 2nd! – The Fruit & The Spirit

This series is designed to help kids experience deep theological truths through story. Get Book 1 "The Sword & The Spirit" FREE for a limited time HERE if you want to check out the series before committing to it. 

Listen to the full podcast HERE

➡️ Visit www.ashleytilford.com for all the resources and more!