Tips for Helping Your Children Memorize Scripture

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Today’s post is written by CrossPoint’s minister to children, Beth Howe.

As you know, God’s Word guides us, helps us worship Him, and gives us encouragement in time of need. What a wonderful resource we have as Christians. I would like to assist CrossPoint Families with teaching your children to memorize Scripture. You will be equipping them for their future and preparing them for challenges they will inevitably face throughout their lives. Therefore in 2012, our first through fifth graders are taking the “Bible A to Z.” We will study through the alphabet and memorize eight key passages (10 verses) over the course of 28 weeks. The children will mark their scoreboard during Bible study (9:30AM) for attendance, bringing their Bible, and completion of their Scripture passages. We will have a celebration Sunday on August 5 for those who complete the Scripture memorization and random celebration prize Sundays for the children earning the most points on their scoreboard.

The process of memorization for children is less challenging than for adults. Children enjoy learning, and their minds are storing information constantly. Help your child learn Scripture while their young minds can retain information more easily. You may be surprised and amazed at how quickly they can memorize the verses. We began this past Sunday memorizing 2 Timothy 3:16 (ICB) and will continue with this verse in January. I have all passages of Scripture and WWAM lesson points (the ABC’s of our Bible study) to help you discuss them at home on our church website‘s children’s ministry tab.

How To Get Children Started Memorizing Scripture

• Start by breaking the passage into short phrases to learn. This will build your child’s confidence.
• Remember to have fun while learning the verse. Keep the time spent brief to hold the child’s attention. This should be enjoyable, so if your child gets frustrated, try again later.
• Show your child where the verse is found in the Bible. Mark his/her Bible with a special color to identify verses they have memorized. You may even want to put a date beside the verse.
• Say the book, chapter, and verse before and after the Scripture. Recite the verse several times a day in your child’s presence, so it becomes familiar to them.
• Do not simplify the verses. God’s Word is perfect the way it is. Clarify any words they don’t understand. Even go to a dictionary or internet database to help you explain words that are not commonly used.
• Make flash cards with Scripture on one side and the book, chapter, and verse on the other. If your child is too young to read, still use the card to help yourself and for future review. Take the cards with you when you go out so that you can review the verse at different times of the day (in the car while you are at a light, waiting in line at the grocery store, etc.) You can put a sticker on the card when the child has successfully memorized the verse. He/she will be encouraged by the accumulated cards.

Six Fun Ways to Help Them Memorize Scripture

1. While learning the verse one phrase or word at a time, say a word (or phrase) then point to your child to supply the next word. (Or, hand them an item when it is their turn to speak.) The last word of a phrase is easiest for them to learn first. Make sure they repeat the book, chapter, and verse before and after the verse so that it is engrained into their minds.
2. Bounce or roll a ball back and forth as each word of the verse is said. Start by saying the verse with your child as you pass the ball. As he/she learns the verse, each of you says a word of the verse as you pass the ball.
3. Put the verse to music or rhythm. Your child will enjoy singing and clapping their hands. And, if you are super creative, add hand motions to the verse. Children are mobile and learn best while moving about.
4. Discuss the verse and decide how the verse can be used with daily activities. See who can come up with the most useful scenarios while cooking dinner, and that person gets served by the other family members and is excused from cleaning up after dinner. The discussion time is unlimited and allows the family to talk about life with the knowledge that God’s Word is useful and practical for daily life.
5. Another way to use the flash cards could be to put one word on each 4 x 6 index card (or sheet of paper) then scramble the words. Have your child put them in the right order.
6. Write the verse on the bathroom mirror and door windows that are most used around your house using a dry erase marker. Then, encourage your child to review the verse every time they come into contact with it. You may even erase a word or two and see if when they walk by, they notice the missing word.

After a Verse or Passage Has Been Memorized

• Reward your child when he/she has accurately memorized a verse. Make the rewards immediate if possible. Rewards could include small treats or prizes, a trip to the dollar store, or special time with mom or dad. Telling them you are proud of them and having them share their accomplishment by reciting it to someone else (grandparent, Sunday School teacher, etc.) is very beneficial too. Reinforce the verses they have learned at appropriate times throughout the day. For example, when your child is not playing nicely or not sharing, remind them of Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” When words or comments are said that are unacceptable, ask your child if their words would make God happy. Remind them of Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
• Put your flash cards in a special envelope or container and review the verses they have learned so they do not forget them. You do not want all the time spent to memorize a passage to go to waste and easily forgotten. Periodically, review the passages and begin learning a new passage. God’s Word is full of verses that we should hide in our hearts that we may not forget His Word even as a child. At the end of the year, see who can recall the most passages for an extra under the Christmas tree surprise. The options are endless, the reward is great!