My kids and I are at the end of 1 Samuel. They are reading to me. It's an exciting time and I'm aware that it is beneficial. Here are some reasons why:
1. It gives them great practice reading. You are right there, able to correct and encourage where appropriate. You learn very quickly not only how well they can pronounce words, but where they are struggling to understand concepts.
2. Words and ideas sink in better when verbalized. Reading aloud may be laborious, but few disciplines do a better job forcing us to think deeply about what we read.
3. It forces conversation about relationships. Everyone needs to learn how to relate to others. The Bible is full of people relating to one another. Sometimes this is done well, (e.g. David and Jonathan), but sometimes this is done poorly (e.g. Saul and David). Kids learn a great deal about appropriate and inappropriate behavior through the stories you find throughout the Bible.
4. It allows Scripture to drive doctrine. Our kids will have more confidence in what we and their Sunday school teachers teach them if they are reading the Bible for themselves and seeing ideas, themes, doctrines over and over again.
5. It humbles us. How do you explain to your children the fact that David took more than one wife? Why does God demand the extermination of entire cities? Why was Saul so envious of David? Why was David anointed as king long before he took over as king? These are all good questions, the types of questions kids ask and the types of questions that, frankly, most of us will have a hard time answering without some study. Better your kids see you struggling with Scripture but bowing down to it then your kids thinking you have everything figured out until they grow up one day only to conclude that you have very little figured out.
Maybe you have other reasons . . .
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