More Ways To Instill a Bible Habit
6. Build community.
Bible habits grow best in community. So encourage accountability by pairing students. Try small-group Bible-reading. Use group chats to share insights or favorite verses. Or start a weekly “Verse That Hit Me” moment. Let students share a Scripture that stood out to them during the week.
7. Celebrate faithfulness.
Teens need encouragement, not guilt. So celebrate when students try again or open the Bible after time away. Avoid shaming kids; instead, emphasize grace and growth. Remind teens that God delights in their desire to know him.
8. Tie Scripture to prayer.
Help teens see Bible-reading and prayer as a connected conversation. Encourage them to pray Scripture back to God or to respond after reading a passage. This shows that God’s Word is relational, not just instructional.
9. Add Scripture to youth gatherings.
Make Scripture central, not supplemental. Read Bible verses aloud together. Give students time to sit quietly with a passage. Let Scripture—not just commentary—carry weight. When students experience God’s Word as meaningful in community, they’re more likely to pursue it personally.
10. Keep pointing teens to Jesus.
Last but not least: A Bible habit is about knowing Christ, not checking spiritual boxes. Show teens how all of Scripture points to Jesus and his redemptive work. Meeting Jesus makes a Bible habit a joy, not an obligation.
Youth workers who teach Bible habits equip kids for a life of faith and hope. Helping students treasure God’s Word is a lasting gift. So keep teaching, modeling, and trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work—one verse and one teenager at a time.
