Educators and child development experts have studied every angle on how kids learn, store and retrieve information. Learning theories abound, and current teaching methods reflect a vigorous pursuit of best practices in the classroom.

What can the academic world teach us about helping children learn the Bible? A lot. Here are 10 ways to make the Bible more accessible and to get its truth deeper into young hearts and minds.

1. Read it. Too often, adults wind up reading the Bible to children rather than taking the time to listen to children read it themselves. Kids need to know that they can both read and understand the Bible on their own.
2. Handle it. Make sure all children have their own Bibles, and take time to teach them how to find passages themselves. Make a visual connection for pre-readers by holding an open Bible while you tell Bible stories.
3. Memorize it. Even very young children can memorize Scripture. Consistency, incentives, rewards and celebrations are keys to sustaining a strong memory verse habit.
4. Sing it. Music stimulates and resides in a special part of the brain and is a strong carrier of information. Find artists who have put Scripture to music, and use hand motions or dance steps to drive the words to long-term memory. 
5. Chant it. Rhythmic chanting of Bible verses forces fluency in the brain and makes memorizing easier. This is also a great way for children to learn the books of the Bible, the tribes of Israel, fruits of the Spirit, etc.
6. Draw it. If learners can draw or teach someone else what they’ve learned, it’s an indication the information is safely stored in long-term memory for later access and retrieval. Encourage children to draw the Bible story they’ve just learned and challenge them to teach it to their friends and family.
7. Act it out. Bible stories are filled with drama and interest. Simple costumes and props can be added to a script taken directly from the Bible for fun and laughter while children learn.
8. Watch it. Today’s kids are strong visual learners. Use well-produced Bible videos to enrich family devotions or your Sunday school classroom.
9. Compete with it. There’s nothing like old-fashioned “sword drills” for teaching Bible navigation skills and speed.
10. Use technology. Use the best of current culture to transmit timeless truths. New children’s Bible apps for tablets and mobile phones, websites, games and other online resources are being released every day. Stay on the leading edge of technological development because that’s where your kids are.