One of the most important things we will do as parents is to help your children build the habit of daily scripture reading and reflection. Reading scripture together doesn’t have to be overly formal or complicated. Sometimes the most natural place for it is right where your family already is every night — around the table, plates still out, nobody in a rush to leave yet.
Here are five passages that speak directly to family life, along with two discussion questions for each — a beautiful way to read God’s Word together and actually talk about what it means for your family specifically.
1. Deuteronomy 6:6–7
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.“
This passage reminds us of the importance of weaving faith into the ordinary rhythm of a day — talking about it in our home, in the car, before bed, first thing in the morning. Allow God’s word to “dwell in your home richly” and be the background music to your day-to-day living, family meals included.
Ask each other:
- What do you think God is telling us through this passage?
- Who taught you something about God just by how they lived, not by what they said?
2. Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus describes his followers as light meant to be seen, not hidden — a city built on a hill, a lamp set out in the open instead of tucked under a basket. It’s an image about living our faith boldly, in a way people can actually see and experience, starting with the people closest to you at home.
Ask each other:
- What do you think God is telling us through this passage?
- What’s one way our family could “let our light shine” this week, even in something small?
3. Ephesians 4:29-32
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.“
An important reminder for us all, this passage calls for kindness and a forgiving spirit toward one another, the same way we’ve been forgiven. It’s often hardest to live out this command within the family life.
Ask each other:
- What do you think God is telling us through this passage?
- Who’s someone you need to forgive this week, even for something little?
4. Colossians 3:12–17
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“
A perfect list of what to “wear” as a family — compassion, kindness, humility, patience — with love named as the thing that holds everything else together. It reads almost like packing instructions for how to treat the people closest to you.
Ask each other:
- What do you think God is telling us through this passage?
- What would it look like if our family got a little better at just one of these this month?
5. Joshua 24:15
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua’s declaration that whatever everyone else decides, his household will serve the Lord. It’s a statement of direction — not perfection, just a decision about which way the family is facing.
Ask each other:
- What do you think God is telling us through this passage?
- If someone looked at our family from the outside, what would they guess we care about most?
How to actually use this
Pick one passage a meal, not all five in one sitting. Assign different family members to help find and read the passage in your Bible. Ask the two questions, and let the conversation go wherever it goes. Some nights that’s five minutes. Some nights it’s the whole meal. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. This is a great opportunity to work on listening and affirming one another.
If your family likes this format — a little structure, a real question, room for it to go deeper — our printable dinner conversation cards include a whole Grace and Gratitude category built in the same spirit, ready for any night you want it without having to plan ahead.