Ages 3-5

Teach the Bible and Memorize Verses

PARENT EMPHASIS

• Start Scripture memory
• Bring the gospel into discipline conversations
• Teach the story of the Bible

During the preschool years, your child is growing and learning constantly. This makes it ideal for laying a foundation of biblical truth through Scripture memory and Bible instruction. Children will remember what they hide in their hearts during these formative years, so it's essential for parents to be intentional in what they teach them.

In this stage, look for opportunities to connect everyday life to the gospel, both during formal family worship times and as you walk along the way (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Find regular times to read, pray, and sing the Bible and establish a rhythm of family worship
Teach basic truths about God
Help your child understand your authority so they can better understand God’s authority

Memorize Bible verses together, especially through songs

• Introduce children to the main people and events of the Bible in a chronological manner (Bible survey).
• Highlight the main foundational theological truths presented in Scripture.
• Slowly acquaint children with the actual language of Scripture.
• Begin simple Bible memory.

Find more age-specific Bible training in From Childhood You Have Known--Guiding Children to Understand and Treasure the Bible.

FAMILY DEVOTIONALS

• Foundation Verses  A firm foundation of basic biblical truth for toddlers and pre-readers (ages 2-5).
• The Very Bad News & the Very Good News Introduces creation, fall, redemption, and restoration to help young children understand the gospel and be able to explain the good news to others.
• Bible Verses to Remember picture books build a foundation for memorizing Scripture and seeing God’s work in the world around us.

MORE DISCIPLESHIP RESOURCES

• Guide for using preschool Bible story books (or any picture book) to teach key Bible themes 
• Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp
• Teach Them Diligently: How to use the Scriptures in Child Training by Louis Paul Priolo

TOWARD SALVATION

Your Role: cultivator—preparing the soil for seeds that will be planted later

This is the “information gathering stage.” During this stage, the children are like sponges soaking up everything around them through their senses and through their emotions. They are absorbing information rapidly.

Therefore, this is the season to build in children an arsenal of Bible stories and memory verses, a foundation of biblical knowledge and a foundation of trust. Modeling must also be intentional as the emotions children feel at this time about God, the Bible, and the church will shape their impressions of spiritual things later in life. The feelings a child experiences when he is with you will influence his impression of God. 

This section was excerpted from Helping Children to Understand the Gospel , a booklet for parents about teaching the gospel to their children, that also includes a 10-lesson devotional to help present the gospel to children.

• Pray for the hearts of your children, because without the Spirit of God working in their hearts they cannot be saved (1 Corinthians 3:-5-7).
• Teach the Word of God diligently all the time, in all places, under all circumstances (Deuteronomy 6:7).
• Model a life of faith evidencing that we love the LORD our God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our might (Deuteronomy 6:5).