Planning Homeschool Bible Time

We homeschool for many reasons, but one is more important than all of the others combined. We desire to pass on a bold Christian faith that finds our children seeking God with all their hearts and sharing Him with others from here to eternity. Come along as I show you how I plan homeschool Bible time.

While I know God does the work in my children (Phil. 1:6), I also know He called us to teach them about Him and His ways (Prov. 22:6). My husband and I don’t pretend for one minute to have all the answers to training little or big soldiers for God’s army. We have tried, though, to be pretty consistent with a plan of action, and that’s what I’d like to share with you today.

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The best Bible study situation would be having my husband lead it every day. He works hard for us, though, and most of the school week Bible time falls on me. I take that honor seriously and love this time spent with my children, best of all!

During the summer, we mostly read from the Bible around the breakfast table and have lively discussions. When the school year rolls around, I get more serious and make school-like plans for Bible time. Every year, we do something different, but the general format is pretty much the same. Planning homeschool Bible time is a key ingredient.

Planning Homeschool Bible Time

Step 1: Pray

This one is simple. I try to always pray about what we study. Sometimes, topics are more evident than others—like dealing with a character issue or current events that make us run straight into the Word. Even when I don’t have a clear answer about what to study, our time is never void of goodness, no matter where we dive into the Word!

Step 2: Plan Bible Studies

Elementary

While I never hesitate to take a break from “the plan” when situations arise (like current events, for example), I try to lay out a general study plan for the school year.

During the elementary years, I like reading through a really good chronological children’s version of the Bible at least once. (It usually takes us two school years to read all the way through.) After that’s been accomplished, I alternate between various types of studies. You might find us using a fill-in-the-answers book like Proverbs People or completing a lapbook on Exodus. We might go through an entire survey of the Old Testament using God’s Great Covenant or a review of the whole New Testament with a Grapevine study. Especially when there are character issues, I will use For Instruction in Righteousness to guide me in teaching a topic.

Sometimes, we replace Bible study with books that teach us about the Word. Some that come to mind are Secrets of the Vine for Kids, The Seven C’s of Creation, and Discovering Jesus in Genesis. I rarely use devotionals with my children. I don’t feel like most devotionals encourage anything more than a quick read and superficial prayer.

Middle and High School

During the middle and high school years, I like making sure we read through most of the books of the Bible together at least once. (Many New Testament books will be studied two, three, or more times.) I don’t necessarily read the books through in order. Often, we’ll just read and discuss, using study resources when necessary. One of my favorite resources to glean understanding through books of the Bible is the Picture Smart Bible – it’s so much more than just coloring pages!

We sometimes use guided studies like A Young Man’s Guide to Making Right Choices, God’s Not Dead, Christianity, Cults and the Bible, Daniel: Standing Strong in a Hostile World, or Experiencing God: Student Edition, among others. I will often borrow these materials from our church to save money.

A newer resource to me is Right Now Media. Our church subscribes to this Christian video streaming service, and all church members get free access. There are several video-based teen studies, and I plan to begin dropping some of these into our schedule this year. My son will be so motivated by this mode of learning!

Step 3: Plan Memory Work

This is the area in which I’m the biggest failure. However, I’ve attempted every year, even if that attempt seems to dwindle by Christmas time and time again. The plan every. single. year. has been to commit a new verse to memory each week and practice that verse together during our morning meeting time. I’m not sure why this has been such a struggle, but I have a new plan in place, which I pray we can stick to.

The Scripture Memory System, as outlined by my friends at Simply Charlotte Mason, is brilliant.

Step 4: Plan Character Studies

Character studies usually occur alongside Bible study, sometimes in place of it, but always to encourage understanding of real-life Bible application. (I’ve included sample schedules below to demonstrate how I use character studies concurrently with Bible study.)

I’ve written about all the resources I’ve used for character studies. You won’t want to miss this giant list of goodies!

In the elementary years, we often read (or listen to) a good character study book after lunch. I usually take off from “regular” Bible study on Friday mornings to read a picture book that offers an excellent opportunity to discuss Christian character.

In the middle & high school years, my kids are often assigned character-building books to read on their own. Sometimes, in place of independent reading, we’ll read (or listen to) a good book together in the afternoons. Recent books include Created for Work, Boyhood and Beyond, and Before You Meet Your Prince Charming.

Step 5: Plan Service Opportunities

Teaching my children to serve others is very important to me. We try to do a service project at least monthly when possible. I keep a running list of contact information for places that allow our entire family to serve together. We’ve found so much pleasure in these moments!

Planning Homeschool Bible Time: The Schedule

When people read a big ol’ post like this one and see all the beautiful resources I’m using, they often assume we do school all day, every day, to fit it all in. No way! Know this: there are SIX years in elementary and SIX years in middle/high school. Savor your time together, and never rush through resources. You’ll get through enough of them. The point is to help your children learn more about God and learn to draw closer to Him – not to use as many great materials as you can. And, remember, the Bible is the only resource you REALLY need.

Sample Week for My Elementary Son:

Monday: One chapter in our children’s Bible with a peek into Victor’s Journey Through the Bible for reference in the AM | Watch a Torchlighter’s missionary DVD after lunch | (Listen along with big kid’s audiobook in the car – see below.)

Tuesday: One chapter in our children’s Bible in the AM | Mom reads two chapters in Charlie’s Choice after lunch

Wednesday: One chapter in our children’s Bible in the AM | Mom reads two chapters in Charlie’s Choice after lunch

Thursday: Read through a few verses as mentioned in For Instruction in Righteousness and discuss (due to a character issue that arose yesterday) in the AM | Mom reads a chapter from Missionaries and the Millers after lunch

Friday: Read The Squire and the Scroll and discuss how it relates to the Word in the AM | Play a Bible quiz game after lunch |  (Listen along with the big kid’s audiobook in the car – see below.)

Sample Week for High School:

Monday: One chapter of James in the AM | Listen to The Hiding Place in the car in the afternoon

Tuesday: One chapter of James in the AM | Read aloud a chapter of Before You Meet Your Prince Charming in the afternoon

Wednesday: One chapter of James in the AM | Read aloud a chapter of Before You Meet Your Prince Charming in the afternoon

Thursday: One chapter of James in the AM | Read aloud a chapter of Before You Meet Your Prince Charming in the afternoon

Friday: Watch a short sermon clip based on a current event and discuss it in the AM | Listen to The Hiding Place in the car in the afternoon

Planning Homeschool Bible Time Without Overwhelm

It may very well drive some of you crazy to have so many studies/books going on at one time. That’s perfectly understandable. I don’t always have this much going on when planning homeschool Bible time! I just wanted to explain how you could manage two or three things concurrently. 

We often read the Bible in the morning until we finish an entire book, and then we take a little time off from the Bible to read a meaningful book together.

How do you go about planning homeschool Bible time? What are your favorite resources? Let me know if you have any comments!

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