Helping Children Memorize Scripture

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** Post includes a book giveaway!

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Memorizing Scripture is such an important part of growing our faith as Christians. In the Christian school where I attended, each student in the school memorized a section of Scripture every month. Each day during assembly we would read the passage together aloud. Sometimes it would be a whole chapter and sometimes it would be about 10-15 verses. I still remember the passages we learned and can recite them today. All these XX number of years later. (Sorry, no guessing on the years allowed.)

Helping children memorize Scripture is a vital part of their growth!

Recently I shared with you a great list of books that are wonderful ideas to give as gifts. Two of the books on that list are perfect to plan now and begin at the start of the new year. Both of these books are specific to learning and memorizing Scripture and I just love them.

The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know

What is the Joshua Code? As the leader of Israel, Moses’ successor, Joshua had some big shoes to fill. What was his secret to prosperity and success? His secret is found in Joshua 1:8:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

In order to be obey God’s Word, we have to know what it says. I know that for my kids, I often fail in my parenting to emphasize what the Bible has to say on a particular topic. Our house rules have a Bible verse associated with each rule and I try to use this list as a reference as often as I can. But purposeful parenting in this area requires focus. That’s why I’m excited to delve into this little jewel:

I Can Learn the Bible: The Joshua Code for Kids: 52 Devotions and Scriptures for Kids

This incredible tool, I Can Learn the Bible, is a guide for teaching your child 52 passages of Scripture that everyone should know. The features in this book are the perfect guide for parents to use on a daily basis, but I love that this book is very doable for both adults and children. The parent can work through the Joshua Code while the child is working through I Can Learn the Bible and both are working on the same verses. Work on one verse a week and by the end of a year, your child will have learned 52 Bible verses! What a great design.

At the beginning of the book, the author, Holly Hawkins Shivers, has included a letter to parents with a daily breakdown of ideas on ways to emphasize and memorize the verses as you read through the book.

So here’s a list of just a few ideas I had to join in with Holly’s on helping children memorize Scripture:

1.Make up a song about the verse. Just pick up whatever musical instrument you have in the house and have fun!

2.Write out Scripture Art using the verse, then post it to your fridge for the week.

I’ve recently fallen in love with the Scripture Art that is popping up all over Pinterest. I’m not a pro, but I decided just to break out my old teacher chalkboard skills and try my hand at a verse. It doesn’t have to be perfect- just fun and focused on God’s Word! Here’s my quick try, wrinkles and all:

 

I’m excited about future Scripture art projects! I’ve developed a love for fonts while working on my book cover recently and I now I want to buy some new markers or colored pencils and just have a little fun.

3.Use the Scripture art in a journal and have a beautiful keepsake at the end of the year!

4.Take a moment to break out the playdough and sculpt through the verse. For example, Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the sky and the earth.” Talk about what the earth looked like and shape a ball. Use a plastic knife to make land and water separated.

5.Use Logos Bible software to create a word search on the passage you are memorizing (according to the age and ability of your child.) Instructions here.

6. I found this super cute easy craft at Danielle’s Place for writing out verses.

If using this fabulous book, you could do the craft on the first day of the week, then keep it close by throughout the week, perhaps having your child carry it in their pocket and pull it out during waiting times or car rides.

7. Check out this list of 6 Ways to help you with Bible memory verses. and adapt the ideas for children according to age and ability.

Ok, friends. That will get you started; I’d love to hear your ideas! Today I’m pumped to give away one copy of I Can Read the Bible. Follow the Rafflecopter instructions and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Rachel

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