June 30, 2022
Kids can memorize Scripture for good, and so can adults!
If you’ve said “I can’t memorize” in the past, it will take about 3 minutes to prove you CAN.
How Kids Can Memorize Scripture For Good
You’re here because you know memorizing Scripture is important — for us and for our children.
But it isn’t getting done.
The good news for you: There’s no room for the word “can’t” in this endeavor. (So it won’t make a lot of appearances in today’s topic.)
Today you’ll see a variety of ways that work for memorizing Scripture.
Why Different Methods To Memorize?
Because everyone has a household that runs a different way.
- Technology may be prominent, printed pages may be your preference, or crafts may be common.
- Your “family time” may be in the morning, in the evening, or at different times each day.
- Your children may be great readers, great talkers, or great thinkers.
All this to say one single method may not be the only way to accomplish the same thing.
Read on, and see if anything here helps get your heart excited about doing something that’s enriching and protective and pleasant and good.
Even though something in you already took a step back, because you think it’s a chore.
What if it isn’t?
Let me show you several important (and immediate) benefits, and what the Bible tells us to do.
Then I’ll give you some really gentle ways to get started that aren’t stressful or failure-oriented.
(Because we have enough stress and failure already, right?)
Why Memorize Scripture?
It’s not just obedience, though it is obedience.
It’s not just knowledge, though it is knowledge.
It’s much more: It’s the necessary armor for the life ahead. It protects and defends us, guides us, and secures us.
- It’s about filling your “well” with wisdom.
- It’s about stocking your storeroom with Scripture.
- It’s about the treasure of truth that will create the moral compass in life decisions.
Remember: Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
It’s here:
Luke 6:45 ESV: The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
(If you’re a lot smarter than me, you already know this truth appears also in Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:18. If you’re about as smart as me, you just found out.)
This is Why We Memorize Scripture For Good
I don’t have to tell you that people are constantly bombarded with things that aren’t right.
With everything that is thrown into our thoughts and memories on a daily basis, we must be intentional about purposefully placing right things in our minds, in our hearts.
The correct perspective is this: It’s not just a discipline; it’s a command and a defense and a necessity.
If you’re in agreement, but the gap between “idea” and “action” is still there, read on!
How Kids Can Memorize Scripture
Like anything we learn — a song, a dance, a new skill — repetition is the path to remembering.
But repetition. It’s so… repetitive.
So we lose interest.
But you know what? If you really want to do something, you learn.
So maybe what’s missing is the “really” about our want.
Just saying, we aren’t connecting all those good reasons above with the specific task.
We aren’t realizing that memorizing Scripture is exactly what we need to secure our thought life, our decisions, and our direction.
We’re missing the “really” aren’t we?
3 Ways to REALLY Memorize Scripture
Here are the 3 of the easiest ways to memorize Scripture:
- A song.
- A daily activity
- A game.
Memorizing Scripture — A Song
One of the easiest ways, hands down, to remember a sequence of words.
You don’t need me to tell you how a song gets stuck in your head, do you?
Why is it we drive down the highway humming a Disney (or Trolls) song during every trip? Because we hear it everywhere.
(If you’re doing it too, you know what I mean: I won’t talk about Bruno, and I really can’t stop the feeling. Peaches, peaches, peachespeachespeaches, I lo-ove you. 😉)
So let’s hear Scripture songs! Even as an adult, I enjoy singing Scripture, doctrine, and truth during the day.
Here’s what’s interesting: If I add those songs to what’s in my head during the day, what thoughts did I replace?
You know where I’m headed with that — I’m getting more abundance in my heart for when I open my mouth.
Songs are so easy, a child can do it. So can you and I.
Songs really get you going, don’t they?
Keep reading, because I’ve got more methods that really do work, and they are fun!
Memorizing Scripture For Good — A Daily Activity
Before you decide to skip, give me just a second here.
You have the ability and the creativity to design a daily activity your kids will enjoy.
I promise, you do.
You’re tired, I know. And you don’t need me piling on new ideas when your daily schedule is already way beyond what you can accomplish.
But this is worthy. So are you, and so are your kids.
So try just setting aside 5-10 minutes daily to give them your full attention.
The Gentle Beginning of Memorizing Scripture
Here’s an idea.
Begin a daily craft time, a Play-Doh time, a Kinetic Sand time, painting rocks, or something else. Even a snack time. Something that brings your crew together.
Stop the hamster wheel for five or ten minutes and totally focus on your children. The first day they’ll whine. They don’t know what to expect, and that’s reasonable.
But you design the time and put everything else on hold for just a few minutes. During that time, begin to introduce a Scripture. No lecture, no demands. Just a gentle beginning of “I think I can remember this whole thing…” and don’t push too hard.
Rinse and Repeat
Tomorrow, gather them again for a similar project — or maybe working a puzzle or building something with Lego blocks. Or something else.
See what comes up when hands are occupied with a pleasant activity, and let them enjoy telling you something. They may talk about what they’re creating, or what happened today, or something they dream about.
(BTW, this style of talking can be surprisingly relaxed and meaningful, having a conversation while you’re doing something together. There isn’t really the same eye contact or direct questioning that can sometimes end a line of discussion. You should try it.)
Gentle Nudging to Memorize Scripture
Easy conversation, soft words, open heart.
Quietly recite your memorized verse.
And here’s a metaphor for you:
You’re serving this gently. You’re not going to bang this plate of memorizing Scripture down hard in front of them with a hurried motion and harsh words.
No, you’ll just lay it down gently beside the box of color crayons, and let them pick it up when they’re ready.
Here’s the beauty:
What you say during this time finds a home in their heart whether they say it back or not.
But the secret goal is of course to make this the beginning of Scripture memory for them, the ability to retain the knowledge and say it aloud.
You will be amazed, thrilled, and victorious when you see the results of your efforts.
All while you’re simply playing.
And here’s another suggestion:
Memorizing Scripture — A Game
Games.
You can talk most kids into at least one round of a game. (And most adults.)
Let’s start with an easy game to play with a group. This can be your own kids who can read, a group of middle schoolers at Church, or even your Bible study group.
People can get excited about collaborative games.
Easy Scripture Memory Game
Print out your memory verse on card stock and cut each word apart (or write each word on separate index cards). Include the book, chapter, and verse at the end.
Read through the verse a time or two. Then, give the cards to the group.
Their job? To put the cards in order.
You can give hints along the way. A capital letter may signify the first word, a period might be seen after the last. Repeat a word or phrase from the passage if they need it.
This is interactive, collaborative, and just a little competitive.
Do It Again
Here’s the thing:
You can bring this same passage back to the group a second time. Either right away, or the next session.
Repeat the entire exercise.
Then surprise them with something: Admit you secretly timed them at both sessions, and their time is improved. Then immediately ask them to do it again as you time their effort a third time.
Scripture Memory Game; Change It Up!
You can have a different person be the leader once they realize how the activity works. The new leader reads the passage and gives hints or encouragement as needed.
Or you can divide into teams and duplicate the cards for a contest.
Once they are good at assembling the verse, you can secretly assign a “word thief” to tuck one word card into their pocket until the end. You may be surprised at how many can name the missing word.
Ultimately, once they master the verse, have them assemble it on something you can display — glue to a poster, etc..
Then pick a new verse and begin the sequence again.
What a way to focus on Scripture, listening skills, reading skills, sentence structure, and being together.
It’s fun, but there are more ways to memorize!
Here’s another way:
Scripture Memory Tools
The definition of a “tool” is this:
A device intended to make a task easier.
We’ve all used tools that made things easier. Scissors, screwdrivers, and more.
We didn’t say, “This is too hard” and fail to change the batteries. We didn’t try to tighten a screw with only our fingers. (Not more than once, anyway.)
We got a tool and we did it.
And you know what I’m saying here: Those words (“This is too hard”) just need to take a back seat. They need to be our last resort. We should only use the words “This is too hard” after we have really tried. After we have used the right tool.
That’s why I’m sharing my Scripture Memory Tools with you.
I’ve been using this method for a number of years personally, with much success. I won’t say I’ve memorized it all “to the recitable point” for my whole life.
But this method has been very effective for my own Scripture memory ventures, even long passages.
It’s based on the FLOEW method, which stands for First Letter Of Each Word.
And before you say, “That won’t work for me” just ask yourself this:
Do you know what ETA means? Sure. Estimated Time of Arrival. How about IRS? Internal Revenue Service. (Could have left this one out, right?)
How about TMI (too much information) or TGIF (thank goodness it’s Friday) or ICYMI (in case you missed it)?
Knowing lb means pound, or USA is United States of America, these are easy. Automatic, right? You can look at a group of letters and know what they mean.
You Can’t Memorize;
Is It A Mistake?
If you can remember “The early bird gets the worm” or “A stitch in time saves nine” or how to answer the phone for your boss, or your phone number and your zip code,
then
your claim to be unable to memorize is… a little leaky. Maybe even… DOA.
You think you are unable to memorize.
Are You Believing a Lie?
My friend, you might be believing a lie.
That’s right — a lie that says you can’t do it.
This lie (“I can’t“) is about the biggest, the most common, and the most used lie in our world.
So put it down right now, and step away from it.
And look at the image of the Scripture Memory Tool below.
Here’s how it works:
The whole Scripture is at the top of the page.
1. For a few days, or as long as you need, read it out loud. Daily, or several times a day.
2. Try sometimes doing it looking at the letters on the “hand” at the bottom of the page, with the printed passage still visible above.
3. When you feel like it’s “flowing” more easily, fold the page over and use only the “hint” letters on the hand to prompt you as you recite it.
4. Finally, recite it without the hint letters.
That’s it.
Aaaannnd, click on the image below, and you’ll find it’s a link to the actual document you can print for yourself. As you can see, it’s catchy in color, but it’s beautiful in black and white too.
It’s free to download and print it.
So you’re considering it, for your older (reading age) children.
Worried about a few younger non-readers in the mix? Don’t! They learn everything else without reading; they’ll pick up this also.
Kids CAN Memorize Scripture
It’s a fact. The only variable is your choice of the method.
And, I suppose, whether you choose to encourage it.
I’ll be so excited if something you read here inspires you to get started.
Now, it’s true that everyone sees things differently, and another method could be better suited for your circumstances.
That’s why I added a few more ways to begin memorizing Scripture with your children.
Would you like to keep it simple? Check out 3 Secrets For Teaching Bible Memory from Vibrant Christian Living.
If you’re a “Charlotte Mason” fan, check out the Scripture Memory System from Simply Charlotte Mason.
Why Memorize Scripture?
Straight answer:
Because we are instructed to.
Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Psalm 119:11 ESV I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Colossians 3:16 ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2 Timothy 3:16 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
Psalm 40:8 ESV I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
If you are loving this, you can see more at Open Bible where you’ll find lots of encouragement to dwell on God’s Word.
If you’re excited, and you want to jump in with both feet, then step into my Etsy shop and get a whole collection of these. A set of 10 different Scriptures, set up the exact same way.
Memorize Scripture.
You can.
It’s the necessary armor for the life ahead. It protects and defends us, guides us, and secures us.
If any of this feels a little familiar, it’s because there are also Scripture Memory Tools for adults here at Grammye’s Front Porch. Same principle, with a little difference in the presentation. The grown-up versions are just as easy, and can be found in the Subscriber Resource Library.
Why would you wait?
Start today,
and see what happens!
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-Grammye
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