That number could rise, unless something reverses the pandemic’s toll on education. Second- and third-grade students are 30-percent behind in their reading skills, according to a recent national study.

What if you could get kids to read every day and – better yet – read their Bible? A program from Keys for Kids Ministries is designed to do just that.

Word with Zach kicks off June 1, but you can sign up today!
(Graphic courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries)

“Our Word with Zach reading program keeps kids and teens in their Bible every day throughout the summer, and we have prizes that we give away,” Keys for Kids Development Director Jessica Kogelshatz says.

Some kids may read only to win a few prizes, but they’ll reap long-term benefits, too.

“This [program] gives a specific reading structure and a devotion every day, so it not only keeps you and your kids in your Bible, but it continues that reading throughout the summer, which is so important for kids,” Kogelshatz explains.

As explained here, literacy matters beyond the classroom:

Third graders who cannot read on grade level today are on track to be our nation’s lowest income, least skilled citizens. Reading is a prerequisite for most adult employment, continued personal achievement, and for a continued democracy. And sadly, some states use their elementary students’ reading failure rates to predict future prison sizes.

Word with Zach kicks off June 1st, but you can pre-register today at the Keys for Kids website.

“We have so many amazing testimonies from parents about how they are able to have tough conversations with their kids, or kids to come to know Christ through this program,” Kogelshatz says.

“The first year we didn’t know what kind of impact it would have, and we had over 5,000 people sign up.”

Pray for resources so Keys for Kids can keep Word with Zach going. “The program is free but there are costs for our staff, so [be] praying over whether or not you could make a donation so that we can continue this program,” Kogelshatz requests.

“Pray that more kids and teens learn about this program and sign up because more people reading God’s Word is amazing.”

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Max Goncharov/Unsplash.

However, it’s important for schoolchildren to maintain skills like reading during the summer.

(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries)

Cue Keys for Kids Ministries’ free summer reading program, “WORD with Zach”. This program not only gets kids excited about reading, but also grows their faith and gets them thinking about how Scripture applies to their lives.

“WORD with Zach” is available in written form and on the radio. Kids follow along with Keys for Kids’ character Zach as he shares a short daily devotional encouraging them to be in God’s Word.

Greg Yoder, executive director of Keys for Kids, says, “We’re hearing from kids,… ‘I don’t really even like to read or I don’t necessarily even do this very often, but I just got so used to doing it last summer, that now [I’m] doing it every day.’ It’s just become a habit for many of these kids.”

This is the second summer Keys for Kids has offered “WORD with Zach” since they were blown away by the response last year.

“WORD with Zach” calendars. (Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries)

“We just didn’t know what to expect. We thought we’d have a couple hundred families sign up. Well, it turns out we had almost 2,500 families sign up last year and about 5,500 kids!” Yoder says.

Once again, this year exceeded expectations. There are now almost 8,000 kids reading “WORD with Zach” representing over 3,000 families in 37 countries.

Kids who are consistent in their “WORD with Zach” reading are rewarded for their success!

“If they read every day for the month of June, they’re going to get a prize. If they read throughout July, they’re going to get a prize. If they read [throughout] August, they’re going to get a prize. So [there are] potentially three prizes.”

Additionally, if a child completes all three months, they are entered in a drawing for a Kindle Fire. They can also earn a bonus prize by listening to Keys for Kids Radio for keywords. Click here for the Keys for Kids Radio program schedule.

We may be over halfway through June, but Yoder says it’s not too late to start “WORD with Zach”! Kids can go back and read past devotionals from the start of June to catch up and earn this month’s prize. Or, if they just want to do the daily devotions from today onward, they can still earn a prize for reading every day in July and August.

“We’re not trying to create rules that prevent people from participating, because the reality is we just want people to read their Bibles and read Keys for Kids.”

Parents can read or listen along with their kids, which prompts great family discussion about biblical truths.

“You can decide to have [your] kids do it on their own if they want — which really helps them in their personal walk with the Lord and the personal devotion time — or do it as a family. You can get questions answered and really help disciple your kids in their walk with the Lord.”

Yoder says “WORD with Zach” devotionals are having an eternal impact. “We’re hearing kids that are giving their heart to Christ. [They may be] growing up in a Christian family, for example, and thinking that they’re believers — but yet reading the stories, [they start] understanding, ‘Well, wait a minute, this isn’t about teaching morality. It’s an actual relationship with Jesus and having the Holy Spirit fill you in your life.’

“In fact, as moms and dads are reading through these with their kids — especially from non-Christian families — we’re even hearing about adults that are making decisions for Christ and we’re thrilled about that. So be praying about that.”

If you want to support your child’s walk with the Lord, you can sign up for “WORD with Zach” here!

“WORD with Zach” is a free program available to families, but it’s not free to produce. Yoder estimates it costs the ministry about $10 per kid. If you would like to support “WORD with Zach” so more kids can have their lives eternally changed, click here to give!

Finally, Yoder asks for your prayers. “We just want people to be praying for the young people that will be reading ‘WORD with Zach’ and their devotionals, because…the Holy Spirit can do a mighty work in the hearts and lives of kids and families.”

Header image courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries.

Keys for Kids’ Ministries’ Greg Yoder observes, “We’ve basically become disengaged in the Bible here in the United States. There [is] only five percent of people that consider themselves biblically-centered. Only 19 percent say that they’re ‘Bible engaged.’”

If adult Christians don’t invest in their own spiritual lives, how does it affect the next generation of believers? Barna explores the spiritual formation of children in this March report.

Most Christian parents will acknowledge they are ultimately responsible for their child’s spiritual health, Yoder notes. However, “I think we replaced our social lives as families with gizmos, with smartphones… and we’ve become less interactive.

“I think that’s why we’re relying more on the Church to teach our kids and to train our kids. Unfortunately, when you don’t get that backing in the homes, you start seeing kids step away from the faith because it really doesn’t mean much to them.”

Keys for Kids helps young people discover Christ for themselves through daily devotionals – available in print and online – radio programs, and more. See what Keys for Kids has to offer here!

How do you get kids to read the Bible?

As any parent knows, kids are curious. Even the smallest hint at Christmas presents leads many children to investigate every nook and cranny of their parents’ closets in a search for hidden toys. Yoder says the same principle applies to spiritual matters, especially for young people between the ages of four and fourteen years old – a range he calls the “4/14 Window.”

Pray kids who don’t know Christ will encounter His love this summer through “Word with Zach.”
(Graphic courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries)

“Eighty percent of kids are looking for some kind of spiritual truth,” Yoder notes. “With that desire comes the opportunity for many Christians…to help teach spiritual truth.

“As we invest in our kids’ lives spiritually, you’re not going to necessarily see it today…. But…you might be surprised in a month or two when you start seeing your young person really change.”

Timmy* is a perfect example. He was one of the 5,500 children who signed up last year for Keys for Kids’ summer reading program, “Word with Zach.” Along the way, Timmy gave his heart to the Lord.

“He changed so significantly that [his] mom and dad wanted to know what was going on. They started reading the devotional and they, in turn, gave their heart[s] to Christ,” says Yoder.

“You can’t help but see lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit through His spoken Word.”

This summer, “Word with Zach” starts on June 1. Register now to enter a prize drawing.

“We’ve got a lot of great prizes in store for young people. Plus, at the very end – if you read every single day – your name will be entered to win a brand new Kindle Fire.”

*Name changed

Header image courtesy of Samantha Sophia via Unsplash.

It’s why Family Christian has a summer reading program; to encourage kids to pick up a book!

A Reading Program

(Photo courtesy of Family Christian)

“We’ve heard research and a lot of experts talk about when kids are out of school, how sometimes their skills can diminish. And one of the ways to combat that is through reading. So what we have developed is almost a way to encourage kids to read,” Daniel Warren, with Family Christian, explains.

“So what we do is we have a pamphlet, and we ask the kids to read six Christian themed books over the course of the summer. If they do that and fill out the pamphlet, we have a book we will give to them free.”

More so, the reading program gives parents an opportunity to engage their children with the Word of God by asking them what Biblical themes they picked up in the book. Parents can discuss with their kids where these themes can be found in the Bible, and how they can see them play out in real life. It’s a chance to dive deeper into Scripture and to grow these kids’ faith.

Who Can Join?

The reading program is for kids up to 12-years old, and is available to anyone with an internet connection. So even those who don’t live near a Family Christian store can still engage. This includes those who live outside of the United States. All that’s needed is a valid email address.

Warren says you can sign up at the Family Christian website! “That will bring up the summer reading program and pamphlet to download. You can fill out the pamphlet and email it back us. There’s instruction on the pamphlet of how to do that, tell us which book you want, and we will mail you the book.”

(Photo Courtesy Family Christian)

Another a great thing about this summer reading program? There isn’t really a starting age limit. Kids as young as three or four-years old can have books read to them, and they can count towards the six books needed to receive a free book.

These free books are coming from some big name authors. For example, C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” as well as “Prince Warriors” by Pricella Shyer are a part of those to be given away, helping grow kids’ personal libraries.

Plus, Warren says Family Christian is currently having a summer sale on their kids’ books; buy one book, get the second book half-off. The sale is available both at familychristian.com and in stores.

Getting Started

So this summer, as your kids venture off the play and decompress after a long school year, encourage them to engage their minds in stories reflecting Christ. To sign up for Family Christian’s summer reading program, click here!

But also pray for Family Christian as it works to grow God’s kingdom, and pray for the kids who will be a part of this reading program. Pray for their growth spiritually and for them to encounter God in the stories that will fill their minds.