The Bible is a collection of written messages and revelations from people led by God's Spirit. It is also commonly called the Holy Scripture or the Word of God. This Sacred Book contains important information about the Master of our world. Through it, the Holy Spirit reveals to the reader the true beauty of God's character, the holiness of God's law, the power of God's love, God's plan for our Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and gives many other useful pieces of advice and instructions for the righteous and happy life of a believing person.
The Bible records very many direct commands from God, which were spoken by the Lord Himself and carry within them a certain message for every reader and listener, in whatever era they may live.
Small children cannot read, but they have very good memory, and they can easily memorize biblical verses, and when necessary, entire chapters.
I remember one case when the son of my friends named Sasha saw a Bible at my place in a leather binding with gold edges and was enchanted by such unique design of the Sacred Book. I, seeing his interest, asked him whether he would like to have such a Bible as his own property. He answered positively, thinking that I would give it to him right away. But I told this young man that he could receive such a Bible as a gift if in a month he would recite the Epistle of James to me from memory. He agreed.
A month later we met again and gathered at Sasha's family home, where everyone together decided to listen to what our little friend had learned. I took out a new Bible and opened it to the right place. All those present in the house did the same. Sasha stood in the middle of the room and began to quote the Epistle of James from memory, moving from chapter to chapter. He sometimes stumbled from excitement, and I would prompt him with the beginning of the next verse, and he would immediately continue quoting it from memory. To the joy of all present, Sasha quickly coped with retelling the memorized text and looked longingly at the coveted gift. I stood up and solemnly presented this young man with a new Bible, which he accepted with special joy and reverence and immediately opened it with shining eyes to the place that was known only to him, and began to eagerly read what was written in it. And I observed the childish joy and dreamed about how wonderful it would be if all our children would thus thirst to have their personal Bibles and receive them under such conditions.
The Bible is not an ordinary book, but the living Word of God Himself, and He observes how we relate to this Holy Scripture, how we take the Bible in our hands, how we live according to what is written.
Children are very attentive in their observation of their parents' behavior. They try to imitate father and mother in everything, and they learn to relate to household items as it is accepted in their home. And they take this example from the life of father and mother.
Parents need to take the family Bible in their hands with special reverence and carefully keep it in their home, allocating an honorable place for it and teaching children to relate to this Sacred Book with similar reverence.
An important rule that all family members should observe is that no other books should ever lie on the Bible, and especially cell phones, even if someone simultaneously holds both these items in their hands. We are talking about the paper version that is kept at home as the Book of books. Such an attitude evokes a feeling of special reverence for the holiness of Holy Scripture in all family members, and it extends accordingly to the Author of this Sacred Book, which is very pleasing to God.
The Bible should not become an object of worship, but should evoke respect and special attitude through its external appearance.
If it stands in a cabinet or on a shelf, this should be a special place intended only for it. Under no circumstances should this Book be thrown or used as a stand for something, sat upon or have feet put on it. The Bible should always lie separately or on top of everything. Such cultivation of reverence is part of the parents' task. Accordingly, they should first learn this themselves in their personal, and then family life.
Angels, who constantly guard us and our homes, will be pleased to see reverent attitude toward God's Word and create a sacred atmosphere around this book. Children taught in this way to honor Holy Scripture will notice how carelessly other people relate to this, but their children should be taught to monitor themselves and their attitude toward Sacred objects and not succumb to worldly influence.
When opening the pages of the Bible at family meetings, the father or mother needs to make it a rule to pray for blessing on reading this Book and ask for God's guidance for correct understanding of what is written. The Lord especially responds to such prayers and gives His grace to all listeners. Let this attitude become a good family tradition.
Outside the home it is also worth maintaining respectful reverence for the Bible, but there is no need to demonstrate your separateness in this matter if the people around you do not understand your reverence, but you should not conform to generally accepted norms either.
But the most important thing is not only respectful attitude toward the Book of books, but also the same respect and reverence for the Author of this Book and for fulfilling God's will. There will be little benefit if children and parents use the Bible as a talisman and always keep it closed, not being interested in the contents. Their reverence will not bring them light and will not make them suitable for Eternity.
Let us read the appeal recorded in Isaiah 66:5: "Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word..." Already at that time there were people who trembled upon hearing God's word. When I understand Who is addressing me through the words of Holy Scripture, then my heart trembles not only before the Word, but also from the awareness of Who stands behind this Word.
God's Word has creative power to create something new in a person's heart, to create something beautiful out of nothing. It is sent for the purpose of accomplishing the will of the One who sent it.
Do not be afraid to instill in your children love for the Bible. This Word of God will change much in their lives for the better and create something new in their hearts. And if a young mind opens to the influence of God's words, then these words will accomplish in the child's life that for which they were sent. The seed of life sown in a child's heart will surely sprout.
Parents need to learn one more rule. God's Word should not become a scourge of punishment for their children, which they will have to read or listen to if they do something wrong. Also, children should not be accustomed to reading the Bible for encouragement or gifts. The Lord does not accept such worship and cannot bless it.
Father and mother need to accustom children so that meeting with the Bible becomes the most pleasant home ritual, in which children would gladly participate not as listeners, but also as readers, thinkers and discoverers.
God will surely bless those homes where all family members gather together in a spirit of love to reflect and learn truths from God's Word. And every guest of this home will feel the atmosphere of God's presence at this time.
Questions for Reflection
Please read John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 137:2; 118:49-50, 74, 81, 89, 105; John 5:39; Acts 17:11-12; John 7:14-15; in light of this lesson. What other verses from the Bible came to your memory? What did you understand from this lesson? What role does the Bible play in forming a child's character? Should the Bible be a special book in your home? Is it necessary to ensure that all family members respectfully relate to the Book of books? At what moment does the Bible stop being God's Word and become a talisman? From what age can children read the Bible? Why is it always necessary to pray before reading the Bible and ask for wisdom in understanding what is written and for the presence of the Holy Spirit? What to do if I do not pray before opening the Bible for reading? Do you think the Lord will convey to a child's consciousness the meaning of Biblical narratives that parents read to them? Can children be given audio-Bible for independent listening? Is a child's mind capable of understanding and appreciating the full depth of Holy Scripture? Should we worry that if the Bible will not be understandable to small children?