And how do we teach it to our girls without resorting to weird, arbitrary, legalistic rules?
What is Modesty in the Bible?
Biblical modesty is a big topic.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) says:
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Glorifying God in our bodies is a part of modesty. So, too, is being humble about the attributes and skills the Lord has given us to steward for his kingdom.
Philippians 2:3 (ESV) says:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Both our boys and our girls need to understand biblical modesty.
What is Modesty for Girls?
I’m always a little skeptical when I come across a resource on biblical modesty.
I wonder if it will address a modest heart. Will it talk about following God because we love him, or will it set forth legalistic rules? Will it stick to Scripture, or will it veer into moralism?
On the other hand, I worry too about whether something I’m going to read about modesty will completely dismiss the idea of biblical modesty altogether. Will it ignore the importance of modesty for our girls–and for us? Will I read something that will appeal to my flesh and encourage a return to my past sins?
I know–that’s a lot to have go through my head before I click a link or pick up a book. Yet, it does. Every time.
Modesty is important because it’s in the Bible. It’s there for both men and women, but we’re just talking about modesty for girls today.
Modesty in the Bible deals with more than the length of our shorts (or whether we wear shorts). Modesty in the Bible also covers how we look physically. It’s not just about our attitudes.
Biblical Modesty Explained
A Beautiful Mystery: What’s Up with Modesty? (Christian Focus Publications, 2020) by Heather Thieneman is appropriate for girls in elementary school through the tween years. This 107-page, 12-chapter book allows your daughter to become a Bible detective.
With engaging writing, colorful pages, and room to journal, A Beautiful Mystery: What’s Up with Modesty? explores important topics relating to being modest.
Topics covered include:
- Your daughter is wonderfully made by a God who loves her.
- The ugliness of sin–and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Comparison is a thief.
- Inner vs. outer beauty. Our humility affects our loveliness.
- Why we wear clothes and being clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
- Covering and protecting private parts.
- Biblical modesty. What is real modesty?
- Men, women, and marriage in God’s design.
- Temptation and how to deal with it. Boys who want you to be immodest.
- Clothing that honors private parts. Dying to self.
- Waiting for a husband.
- Wearing God’s righteousness.
Heather Thieneman, who works at a Christian school, has put together a wonderful resource for Christian families to use with their girls. The book is designed to allow girls to write verses and thoughts in each chapter.
I love the fact that Thieneman addresses biblical modesty without getting overly involved in rules and regulations. She does state that private parts should be covered in a way that honors them, so they’re not showing or emphasized. Really, she works on getting to the heart of modesty and what the Bible says about it. And isn’t that what we want our girls to know?
I love the fact that the book is colorful and modern, with both photographs and cartoon girls. I love, love, love the diversity of the cartoon girls–one is even in a wheelchair. (My sister was in a wheelchair, and I rarely see that in kids’ books!)
I highly recommend A Beautiful Mystery: What’s Up with Modesty? for your girls!
Purchase A Beautiful Mystery: What’s Up With Modesty?
A Beautiful Mystery: What’s Up With Modesty?
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
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- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
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- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.
Bible Investigators is the perfect resource to teach your kids about an important biblical doctrine, while helping them apply God’s Word to their lives today.
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