Is Family Scripture Study a Struggle? Here’s How to Make it FUN! (Yes, Even for Teens!)

The Cure for the Scripture Study Slump: Creative Ideas to Get Everyone Engaged

Honestly, fitting in family scripture study can feel like another item on an overflowing to-do list at times, even with the best of intentions. Between after-school activities, piles of laundry, and work, finding dedicated time (and sticking to it) for scripture study can be a challenge.

But what if there was a cure for the scripture study slump? What if we could transform those tired routines into engaging and enriching experiences for EVERYONE in the family, regardless of age? While this is not a one-and-done solution, it will take time and effort building a routine and trying different ideas to find what works. Hopefully, it will spark an idea that resonates with you and helps you and your family with your scripture study goals. With that hope in mind, this post explores creative methods to make scripture study a more manageable and engaging part of family life (even with busy schedules).

The Cure for the Scripture Study Slump: Creative Ideas to Get Everyone Engaged

Truthfully, I’m still figuring this out. Like you, I want scripture study to be a positive experience for my family and not something that gets lost in the chaos. Because of that, I’ve been brainstorming and collecting creative methods over the years to make it fun, engaging, and (dare I say?) manageable, even with busy schedules.

The Power of Reminders (Because We All Get Forgetful Sometimes):

First off, Let’s acknowledge life is busy and even the best intentions can get lost in the daily shuffle. Here’s a simple tip that’s helped our family: set a timer or reminder on your phone or digital assistant. By doing so, everyone knows when it’s time to gather for scripture study.

Engaging All Ages in Family Scripture Study:

Often, keeping everyone engaged in scripture study can feel like a balancing act! With that in mind, here are some ideas for different age groups:

Encouraging Gospel Learning for Younger Kids (Ages 3-10):

• • Act It Out!: Choose a scene from your scripture reading and have everyone act out the roles. This is a fun way for kids to grasp the story and its characters.

• • Retelling with Toys: Pull out those action figures and stuffed animals! Reread a familiar story, but this time use toys to represent the characters. Along with being fun, this can help kids visualize the scene and make connections to the narrative.

• • Scripture Coloring: As you read together, encourage your kids to create drawings or illustrations that capture what they find most meaningful or a story they recall from the verses. For myself, I’ve loved seeing the wide variety of interpretations my own kids come up with through their drawings! Also, I have kept some of their drawings and preserved them as an Art Scripture Journal. Furthermore, this activity is great for involving kids who love to color.

• • Sculpting Stories: Mold the figures and scenes from your scripture reading out of sculpting dough. This is a great way for kids to use their hands and creativity to engage with the stories.

• • Building Blocks of Faith: LEGO bricks aren’t just for building spaceships! Can you use them to build something related to your scripture reading? Maybe it’s the tower of Babel or a heart that represents love. Additionally, try magnetic construction toys or wooden blocks for another way to create scenes or representations from your scripture reading.

Keeping it Interesting for Older Kids and Teens (Ages 11 and Up):

• • SOAPing It Up: This simple method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) is a great way for older kids and teens to delve deeper into a specific verse. Encourage them to write down their observations, consider how the verse applies to their own lives, and conclude with a written prayer or reflection. Want a handy printable SOAP worksheet to guide your family? Check out my Etsy shop!

• • Character Studies: Teens often connect with relatable characters. To start, choose a figure from scripture and spend some time studying their actions, motivations, and the choices they make. Additionally, this can lead to rich discussions about faith, choices, and overcoming challenges.

• • Current Connections: The scriptures are full of timeless wisdom. Help your teens see how scripture applies to their world. For instance, discuss how a particular passage relates to current events, social issues, or challenges they’re facing in their own lives.

• • Creative Scripture Writing: For teens who enjoy creative writing, encourage your teens to rewrite a familiar story from scripture in a different format, like a poem, a journal entry from a character’s perspective, or even a news report. This can help them engage with the text in a fresh way. 

Remember, scripture study is a journey and sometimes requires patience. Encourage questions, even the tough ones, and let your children know that their thoughts and feelings are valued. Also, try not to get discouraged if your family members aren’t always enthusiastic about scripture study. While some nights might be focusing on just one verse, others allow for more in-depth exploration.

So, grab your scriptures, your creativity, and your family, and get started on a fun and enriching exploration of the scriptures together!

What are your favorite scripture study methods (especially for different age groups)?