Pray. I know this could sound like a Christian cliché, but I couldn’t be more serious. Ask God to give you and your children an appetite for His Word. Ask Him to give you guidance about how to implement Bible reading with your family, and ask Him to give you understanding and grace as you read.

Make a plan. Many times I tried to start reading the Bible without making a plan. By February or March my big goal was already forgotten. Ask God to help you discover a plan. Think about a time and place to read the Bible that fits the rhythm of your family.

Don’t make an unrealistic plan. “Next Tuesday I’m going to wake my four school-aged children at 5:00 am and we are going to start reading the Bible together.” Ok, if you have a house full of morning people, maybe. But be realistic. Aim for a time when your family naturally gathers. Aim for three to five days a week – you can always add more later.

Be willing to give up something. It could be that you are already operating with very little margin and your wondering where Bible reading is going to fit into your schedule. Look closely at your calendar and consider what you could do without in order to make time to read the Bible with your kids.

Make it fun. This can be such an enjoyable time for you to spend with your children learning about God. Yes, you should try to maintain some control, but also give your kids a chance to interject thoughts, even those unrelated. Interact with your kids. Make this a pleasant time that each of you will look forward to again and again.

Keep in mind that God speaks through His Word. It’s not too late for you to hear from God and it’s not too early for your kids to hear Him speak. Nothing could be better than to look back at the end of a year and say “This year we heard from God!”