Something to pass on...

Here's a great way for parents to show their children the importance of a life spent in the Word of God (I'm not sure where the idea came from, but it's not original to me).

1. Buy a wide-margin Bible. The ESV Journaling Bible would be an especially appropriate choice. The ESV Journaling Bible is designed with extra wide lined margins that is ideal for writing notes. 
2. Commit–either by yourself or with your spouse–to reading from that Bible on a regular basis. Either use it for your personal devotions, family or mealtime devotions, or simply to read for five or ten minutes a day on top of your personal devotions. 
3. As you read, write notes in the margins about the passage you're reading. You may want to write a quick sentence summary of what you've read, jot down a reference to a related sermon, article, or book you've come across, recall how this passage has been important to you in the past, or suggest an application to the Christian life that's worth noting in the future. Your comment does not have to be brilliant or long. Be honest. Be thoughtful. 
4. Continue marking up this Bible with notes for a year or more. Try to have notes littered throughout [don't Martyn Lloyd-Jones the book of Romans for a year and consider yourself finished (and yes, I used the good doctor as a verb)]. 
5. Give the Bible to your child or teen when there's an appropriate opportunity. This may be at a profession of faith or when your child is making the transition from reading a children's bible to reading an regular bible. 

Hopefully your notes will show a vibrant life spent in the Word and will even prompt your children to ask questions about notes you've made (e.g. 'Dad, why did you say...' or 'You said x, but what about...'). Plus, there's something to be said for giving a Bible that has been used; that has seen rejoicing, wrestling, confusion, and sorrow.

Here's a look at the ESV Journaling Bible's format.

Image source