12 Bible Passages to Learn with Your Kids This Summer

If you search online, you can find lots of ideas (and a certain number) of “Bible verses everyone must know.” But oftentimes, there’s really no explanation as to what impact they should have on our lives.

I strongly believe that without application, reading and memorizing a bunch of Bible verses doesn’t really have a lasting impact.

Anyone can memorize words–I’m guessing most of us did that growing up in school, like math facts or remembering poems to read in front of the class.

On the other hand, “hiding God’s Word in our hearts” is a long-term work of the Holy Spirit to transform us through the truths of Scripture, as we not only read the words, but internalize them and let them sink deep into our souls.

I want to learn Scripture together as a family that will help our kids understand who God is and how He works in and through us–in a way, help them to learn our foundational beliefs as Christians as they’re found in God’s Word, so that when hard times and faith struggles come, they can call to mind these life-giving words.

“In Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:18

So I looked for some passages that teach those truths and are also generally easy to understand, even by really young children. And even if our littlest ones don’t completely grasp the meaning yet, the Word is living and active, so it will make a difference in their hearts!

Here I’ll share with you the twelve Scripture passages I chose that cover tenants of faith that you can learn with your kids! There are many others, but I simply chose these as a good starting point. If you’re looking for a simple way to teach the Bible this summer, these verses would be great to read through, think on and discuss, but any time of the year is good for learning God’s Word!

Related: 4 Effective Tips for Starting Family Devotions

You can also download a printable of these verses that also tells you what topic they are covering to keep in your Bible.

Here are a couple of ideas for profitable study of God’s Word as a family:

1. Read them aloud, taking turns reading if you’d like.
2. Talk about your first impressions about what the passage means.
3. Decipher any difficult or unfamiliar words using a dictionary or Bible concordance.
4. Share how they apply to your life.
5. Pray specific prayers relating to the verses.

You can do this all in one day, or spread it out over five days time. This exegetical method of Bible study helps break the verses down, keeping it from feeling overwhelming!

12 Foundational Bible Passages to Study with Your Family

Romans 8 – Salvation and our need for God

Psalm 77 – Declaration of God’s power

John 17 – Jesus’ high priestly prayer

Colossians 3 – Living as Christians

Matthew 18:21-35 – Forgiveness

John 1:1-18 – Our identity in Christ

Psalm 86 – God’s mercy

Exodus 3:13-14 – Eternal nature of God

1 John 5:1-12 – Assurance of salvation

James 5:13-20 – Prayer of faith

Ephesians 6:10-18 – Stand firm on God’s Word

Mark 16 – Resurrection of Christ

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE WITH THE VERSES SO YOU CAN KEEP IT HANDY DURING YOUR STUDY TIME!

One More Thing…

I don’t know about you, but I always approach summer vacation with excitement mixed with some nervousness.

I love the freedom and lack of routine in some ways, and in other ways it scares me that my patience won’t be able to survive unstructured time with all my kids home 24/7.

But, just like coming up with some great activity ideas to break up the days, I’ve learned a little summer planning can go a long way.

Summer comes with it’s own set of specific “planning” challenges though.

We need a routine for us AND the kids, we want the kids to pitch in with helping around the house and our schedule will be a mix of organized events and spontaneous fun (which is good!).

We need ways to get things done, but also space for last-minute ideas.

So to help with this, I created the Purposeful Family Summer Planner!

It’s a printable resource designed specifically for moms who are at home with their kids during the summer. (That’s my experience as a work-at-home mom, so I can only speak to that).

Not only will it help you organize your time, but it also lays out a plan for a strong devotional life for your family as well as a guide to making a “family strategy” for the summer, so you can all discuss your priorities and make plans together too.

I really believe that creating a “whole family” plan and not just individual plans for each person will help your summer goals, strategies and ideas to actually be accomplished, because they are a cooperative effort!

(I’ve created a video for you along with the planner explaining how to create a whole family plan for your summer!)

This summer, I want you to be ready with a plan, be a happier more patient mom and enjoy making lots of fun memories with your kids!

Want to see what’s inside the Purposeful Family Summer Planner?

Click the button below for details and get your copy for a special price!

Show me the Purposeful Family Summer Planner!