Remember the old string tied around the finger? Back when I was growing up, whenever we saw a string tied around a finger, we knew someone was supposed to remember something important every time they saw the string.
We want our children to read their Bibles regularly. We may not want to nag in an effort to avoid having the Bible seem like another chore for our kids instead of something they should treasure. So how about a fun memory jogger like the string?
Recently, we taught a group of children how God’s Words are sometimes referred to as honey (Psalm 119:103) or milk (I Peter 2:2) in the Bible. We explained honey meant God’s words are so special we should be as excited to read them as if someone gave us something sweet to eat like honey. The scripture in I Peter mentions how important milk is to a new little baby. God’s Words should be as important to us as milk is to a tiny baby.
To make the discussion memorable, give your children scoops of vanilla ice cream with honey drizzled over it. As they are eating tell them how your hope is that reading the Bible will be as special to them as eating their favorite ice cream dish (feel free to substitute another milk and/or honey product your child may prefer). Ask them to think about the Bible every time they see something made with milk or honey. Encourage them to use milk and honey products to remind them to read their Bibles – especially if they haven’t done it that day. Make it fun – this shouldn’t feel like a “nag” but a “secret code” reminder for them.
Make a point the next few times you enjoy ice cream to talk about how you are glad you read your Bible already that day, or how it reminded you to go home and read your Bible. Bonus points for having an impromptu family devotional while enjoying your ice cream or honey.
Make reminders of Bible reading fun and memorable. If you are lucky, fifteen years from now your child will still be enjoying an ice cream cone while reading her Bible!