Why and How to Teach Biblical Doctrines to Three-, Four-, and Five-Year-Old Children Through Children's Literature

Abstract

Children’s learning begins at birth and continues throughout their lives. Learning during early childhood also has a major enduring impact that, in the case of religious instruction, lasts even beyond our temporary lives on earth. Though most academic research on religious instruction for children fails to hold to true to God’s Word and recommends unsound teaching (or no teaching at all), effective methods for secular instruction can be applied to accurate biblical teaching. Reading religious books that are designed to teach biblical truths to young children is a very simple and very effective way to help them and their parents or adult readers grow in faith and in knowledge of God’s Word. This also strengthens the relationship between children and adults and sets that relationship on a course for open sharing of faith throughout life. An original example of a book for parents to read to their children to teach biblical truths is provided in Appendix I.