Once the fall ministry season begins, many congregations present Bibles to children during a worship service. Even if you can’t gather together this fall, you can still gift Bibles to kids in meaningful ways. Below you’ll find four ideas that can be combined and adapted to best fit your context.
1) Bible + Supporting Gifts
An option when you have budget for purchasing Bibles and few other items for each child
Prepare a gift bag or small box with the child’s gift Bible along with a few other items that connect to scripture. Choose from these ideas or make up your own.
- A bookmark that includes favorite Bible verses of your pastor, children’s ministry coordinator, and a few other faith leaders in your church
- A quilt or fleece blanket; the tag says, Snuggle up with God’s word!
- A small container of honey; the tag says, How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
- A battery-operated tea light; the tag says, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119: 105
- A painted rock, or a rock with a paint set; the tag says, There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2
- A laminated photo of the pulpit in your church with a tag that says, We can hear God’s word from anywhere.
2) Bible Brigade Traveling Parade
An option if kids live within short driving distances
Plan a safe car parade with the faith leaders involved in children’s ministry, like your pastor, children’s ministry coordinator, and a few Sunday school teachers. Stack Bibles in someone’s trunk and plan for one person to safely deliver the Bible to the child’s doorstep while the others in the car parade wave, cheer, or play percussion instruments from a distance. Those in the Bible Brigade Traveling Parade can decorate their cars, wear costumes, or plan another way to make a memorable impression on kids.
3) Learn the Books of the Bible through Song
An option for ongoing engagement with families
Challenge kids to learn the books of the Bible by posting this song on your church’s social media. (See the lyrics here.) After a few weeks, release the instrumental track and encourage kids to film their own video singing along.
4) Bible Gifting Litany on Zoom
An option for presenting NRSV Bibles to the whole group during a video call
Print this litany and place it inside each Bible. Designate a time when elementary-age kids join a Zoom call. Lead this litany as kids hold their own Bibles.
Leader: Today we celebrate the power and presence of God’s Word. We may be physically separated from each other, but we are still united as a church family. With our church family, we learn the story of God’s love for us and all people. With our church family, we celebrate the gift of faith. With our church family, we celebrate each one here who will receive their own Bible. Kids, please join your voice in the celebration.
Leader: Today we celebrate the gift of God’s Word in our midst.
Kids: Thank you for your Word, O God, that daily lights our way.
Leader: God’s Word helps us grow in faith.
Kids: Thank you for your Word, O God, that daily lights our way.
Leader: God’s Word helps us share our faith with others.
Kids: Thank you for your Word, O God, that daily lights our way.
Leader: God’s Word helps us in times of sadness and joy, challenge and comfort.
Kids: Thank you for your Word, O God, that daily lights our way.
Leader: This day we are called to give each of you your own Bible. [Name each child on the call], our prayer is that you will read your Bible, listen for God’s voice, and grow in faith.
All: Amen.
