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🧒 For Kids

Hey friends! These discussion guides are for you and your parents to talk about God and the Bible together. It's a special time to ask questions, share what you think, and grow closer to God as a family!

👪 For Parents

These discussion guides are designed to help you have meaningful faith conversations with your children. Each guide includes age-appropriate questions, Bible verses, activities, and tips to help you nurture your child's spiritual development in a natural, engaging way.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

On This Page

1. About These Discussion Guides

Our Parent-Child Discussion Guides are designed to help families explore biblical truths together through meaningful conversations. Each guide focuses on a specific topic, Bible story, or character trait, providing you with the resources you need to engage with your child at their developmental level.

Regular faith conversations are one of the most powerful ways to nurture your child's spiritual development. Research shows that children who regularly discuss faith matters with their parents are more likely to develop a personal faith that lasts into adulthood.

What Makes Our Guides Special:

  • Age-Appropriate: Each guide includes modifications for different age groups (preschool, elementary, tweens, and teens)
  • Bible-Based: Grounded in Scripture and sound theology in an accessible way
  • Interactive: Includes activities, object lessons, and discussion starters to engage various learning styles
  • Flexible: Can be used during family devotion time, car rides, meal times, or bedtime talks
  • Printable: Easy to print and keep handy for when teachable moments arise

2. How to Use These Guides

Our discussion guides are designed to be flexible and adaptable to your family's unique needs and schedule. Here are some tips for getting the most out of them:

Choose the Right Time

Look for natural opportunities for conversation:

  • Family Devotions: Set aside a regular time each day or week
  • Meal Times: Dinner table discussions can be a natural setting for conversation
  • Bedtime: When children are winding down and often more reflective
  • Travel Time: Car rides or walks provide distraction-free opportunities to talk
  • Teachable Moments: When situations arise that connect to biblical principles

Prepare in Advance

Take a few minutes to:

  • Read through the guide and Bible passages
  • Gather any supplies needed for activities
  • Pray for God's guidance in your conversation
  • Consider which questions will resonate most with your child

Create a Safe Space for Dialogue

  • Listen attentively without judgment
  • Affirm your child's thoughts and questions
  • Be honest when you don't know the answer
  • Share your own thoughts and experiences appropriately
  • Keep the tone conversational, not preachy

Follow Your Child's Lead

Don't feel pressured to cover everything in one sitting. Let your child's interest and engagement guide how much you discuss. Some days you might only get through one question—that's okay! The goal is connection and reflection, not completion.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:6

4. Browse All Guides

Filter our collection of discussion guides by topic, age range, or Bible character to find the perfect conversation starter for your family.

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🌊

Noah's Obedience

Ages 6-12

Explore Noah's faithful obedience to God even when it seemed impossible, and discuss how we can trust God's plan for our lives.

View Guide
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Joseph's Journey

Ages 6-15

Discuss forgiveness and God's providence through Joseph's life story. Includes conversations about family relationships and trusting God's plan.

View Guide
👑

Brave Queen Esther

Ages 6-12

Explore courage, identity, and God's perfect timing through Queen Esther's story of bravery and faith in a challenging situation.

View Guide
🤝

Being Kind Like Jesus

Ages 3-9

Explore how Jesus showed kindness and how we can follow His example in our everyday interactions with others.

View Guide
🧠

Making Wise Choices

Ages 10-16

Discuss what wisdom means from a biblical perspective and how to make good decisions using Proverbs as a guide.

View Guide
🤗

The Power of Forgiveness

Ages 6-16

Explore what forgiveness means, why it's important, and how we can forgive others as God forgives us.

View Guide
❓

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Ages 10-16

Address this common question with compassion and biblical insight in an age-appropriate way.

View Guide
✨

How God Answers Prayer

All Ages

Discuss the different ways God answers prayers and how to recognize His responses in our lives.

View Guide
❤️

God's Love Discussion Guide

All Ages Core Concept 15-20 Minutes

Understanding God's unconditional love is foundational to a child's faith development. This guide will help your family explore what the Bible teaches about God's love and how we can respond to and share it.

Getting Started

Begin by asking your child what makes them feel loved. Share what makes you feel loved too.

Object Lesson: "Unchanging Love"

You'll need: A permanent marker and a washable marker, a small plastic or ceramic plate

  1. Draw a heart with the permanent marker on one side of the plate
  2. On the other side, draw a similar heart with a washable marker
  3. Show both hearts to your child
  4. Try to wash both hearts off with water
  5. Discuss how the permanent marker heart stays (like God's love for us) even when we try to wash it away, while the washable marker heart disappears

Bible Exploration

Read one or more of these passages together:

  • John 3:16 (For younger children)
  • Romans 8:38-39 (For older children)
  • 1 John 4:9-10 (For all ages)
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

Discussion Questions

Choose questions appropriate for your child's age and understanding:

How do we know God loves us? What are some ways God shows His love?

For younger children, you might mention: creating our beautiful world, sending Jesus, giving us families, etc. For older children, you can discuss more complex expressions of God's love.

Is there anything that could make God stop loving you?

Help children understand that God's love is unconditional - not based on what we do. Unlike human love which sometimes has conditions, God's love is perfect and never-ending.

How does knowing God loves you change how you feel about yourself?

How can we show God's love to others this week?

Guide your child to think about specific, actionable ways to show love to siblings, friends, neighbors, etc. You might make a list together of "love in action" ideas.

For Older Children & Teens:

  • How is God's love different from human love?
  • When is it hardest for you to believe or remember that God loves you?
  • How might understanding God's love change how we treat people who are different from us?

Application Activity

Choose one of these activities to reinforce the conversation:

Love Chain

You'll need: Strips of colorful paper, markers, tape or stapler

Have each family member write ways God has shown love to them on strips of paper. Connect the strips to form a paper chain. Display the chain somewhere visible as a reminder of God's many expressions of love.

Secret Love Mission

Plan a secret act of love for someone as a family. It could be leaving an encouraging note, baking cookies for a neighbor, or another kind gesture. Talk about how sharing God's love with others makes you feel.

Prayer Time

Close your discussion time with prayer, thanking God for His amazing love. You might use this format:

  • Thank You: Each person thanks God for a specific way He shows love
  • Help Me: Each person asks for help to share God's love with someone specific
  • I Love You: Simply express love back to God

Take a moment for quiet reflection: "How does it make you feel to know that God loves you completely, just as you are?"

5. Create Your Own Discussion Guide

Want to create a customized discussion guide for a specific topic or situation? Use our simple template to design your own guided conversation:

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Blank Discussion Guide Template

Download our easy-to-use template to create personalized discussion guides tailored to your family's needs and interests.

Download Template

Steps to Create Your Own Guide

  1. Choose a Topic: Select a Bible passage, character trait, or question your child has asked
  2. Set an Objective: What main truth do you want your child to understand?
  3. Find Scripture: Look for 1-3 relevant Bible passages (keep them short for younger children)
  4. Develop Questions: Create open-ended questions that encourage reflection
  5. Plan an Activity: Think of a simple activity to reinforce the concept
  6. Consider Applications: How can your child apply this truth in daily life?

Custom Guide Example: "God Is Our Helper"

Bible Passage: Psalm 121:1-2

Key Truth: God is always ready to help us when we need Him

Questions:

  • When was a time you needed help with something difficult?
  • How does it feel to know God is always watching over you?
  • What are some ways God helps us every day?

Activity: Create a simple "Helper Badge" craft and talk about how we can help others the way God helps us

Guide Title
Example: "Trusting God During Hard Times"
Key Bible Verse(s)
List 1-3 relevant verses here...
Main Truth
What is the one key truth you want your child to understand?
Discussion Questions
List 3-5 open-ended questions...
Activity or Object Lesson
Describe a simple activity that reinforces the main concept...
Application
How can your child apply this truth in their everyday life?

6. Tips for Meaningful Conversations

Beyond the structure of our discussion guides, here are some practical tips to help you foster deeper faith conversations with your children:

1

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Avoid questions that can be answered with just "yes" or "no." Instead, ask questions that begin with "what," "how," or "why" to encourage deeper thinking and sharing. For example, ask "What made you feel that way?" rather than "Did that make you feel sad?"

2

Practice Active Listening

Give your full attention when your child is speaking. Put away devices, maintain eye contact, and show genuine interest in their thoughts. Respond with thoughtful follow-up questions that show you're truly engaged with what they're saying.

3

Share Your Own Journey

Children need to see that faith is a journey with ups and downs. Share age-appropriate stories about your own faith experiences, including times when you've had questions or struggles. This authenticity helps them understand that doubt and growth are normal parts of faith.

4

Welcome Tough Questions

Create an environment where all questions are welcome, even the difficult ones. If you don't know the answer, it's perfectly fine to say, "That's a great question. I'm not sure, but let's find out together." This models humility and a commitment to seeking truth.

5

Connect to Real Life

Help your children see how biblical principles apply to their everyday experiences. Look for teachable moments throughout the day—whether responding to a sibling conflict, watching a movie together, or observing nature—to connect faith concepts to real-life situations.

6

Be Patient

Sometimes children need time to process spiritual concepts. Don't rush to fill silences or force responses. Allow space for reflection, and remember that seeds planted today may take time to grow. Trust God's timing in your child's spiritual development.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lecturing instead of discussing - Aim for dialogue rather than one-sided teaching
  • Dismissing questions - Even questions that seem simple deserve thoughtful responses
  • Forcing participation - Some children need time before they're ready to share
  • Expecting perfect understanding - Spiritual growth is a gradual process
  • Overlooking emotional responses - Pay attention to how your child feels about what they're learning

7. Additional Resources

Beyond our discussion guides, here are some additional resources to help you nurture your child's faith:

Our family has been using these discussion guides for six months now, and the conversations we've had have been incredible. My 8-year-old is asking deeper questions about faith, and even my teenager is engaging more!
Sarah M.
Mother of three

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child doesn't seem interested in faith conversations?

Start with topics that connect to their interests. If they love nature, begin with discussions about God's creation. For children interested in relationships, explore Bible stories about friendship. Keep conversations short and positive, gradually building as their interest grows. Sometimes the setting matters too—try talking while doing an activity together rather than sitting face-to-face.

How do I answer questions I don't know the answer to?

It's perfectly fine (and even helpful) to admit when you don't know something. You might say, "That's a great question! I'm not sure, but let's find out together." This models humility and a commitment to seeking truth. Consider looking up the answer together using age-appropriate resources, asking your pastor, or praying about it together.

What if my spouse and I have different approaches to faith conversations?

Different approaches can actually be beneficial, offering children diverse perspectives and ways to connect with God. Try to find common ground on core values while respecting each other's unique contributions. Discuss differences privately, present a united front to children, and focus on what you both agree is most important for your children to understand about faith.

How do I adapt these guides for children with special needs?

For children with attention challenges, break discussions into shorter segments and incorporate movement. Visual learners benefit from pictures, diagrams, or watching Bible story videos before discussion. For children with language processing difficulties, simplify questions, use visual supports, and give extra time for responses. Always build on your child's strengths and interests while accommodating their needs.

Recommended Books

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Family Faith Resources List

Download our curated list of age-appropriate books, devotionals, and other resources to support your family's faith journey.

Download List

Connect With Others

Join our online community of parents to share experiences, ask questions, and support one another in nurturing your children's faith:

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Parent Community Forum

Connect with other parents in our moderated online forum to share ideas, ask questions, and find encouragement on your family discipleship journey.

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Bible Fun Land App

Get all our discussion guides, plus interactive games and activities, in our family-friendly app. Available for iOS and Android devices.

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We'd Love Your Feedback!

Have you used one of our discussion guides with your family? We'd love to hear about your experience! Share your stories, suggestions, or testimonials by contacting us or leaving a comment in our parent community forum.