The Bible is a beautiful, wild, hope-filled, sacred Book. Sometimes, we leave behind the Bible’s raw honesty when we teach it to our children. Consider what author Ivy Beckwith cautions: “When we use the Bible with children simply to teach doctrinal tenets, moral absolutes, tips for better living, or stories of heroes to be emulated, we stunt the spiritual formation of our children and deprive them of the valuable, spiritual story of God.”

What role does the Bible play in your parenting? How have you encouraged your children to embrace it as story? What Scripture passage has needled its way into your heart lately? Why? How can you use that as a bouncing off point to talk with your children about Scripture?

Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth’s guided journal, “Creating the Family You Always Wanted,” a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family–and God–in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.

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