Scripture Memory Tips
What a beautiful morning in Houston! Curt's parents arrived from Missouri last night and they're on a walk with our very happy dog and very happy child. The house is nice and quiet, giving me the perfect chance to check in to Siestaville.
A few days ago I read a comment from one of our siestas asking for some advice. I thought it was too good a topic to get buried in the comments, so I saved it for a post. Check out this question from Kathy Pink Bicycle Arkansas:
Can I ask a favor/help of all my siesta's? I teach 5th grade Sunday school and for the first time I am having a very difficult time with them learning their verse and bringing their Bibles. I've tried bribery, candy, small prizes.....any suggestions? What works for you? Please help. Thanks!
I am just starting to work on a couple of (very simple) verses with Jackson. My friend and co-worker, Jen, started out doing Scripture memory with her son during bathtime. I've found that to be a great time too because my little monkey is contained! So I'm also very interested to hear your tips. If you have advice for Scripture memory with big kids or small kids, we'd love to hear it!
Labels: Amanda
posted by Amanda @ 8:24 AM
199 Comments
199 Comments:
I saw a easy method yesterday...use the 26 letters of the alphabet to memorize scriptures..for instance, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Be still and know that I am God, etc.
Sharon Gowen
I post Bible verses on my kid's bathroom mirror. I write it out on a 3x5 card and tape it to the mirror. I change it every week. Then I try to bring it up during the week on how it pertains to what they are dealing with. One week I didn't have a chance to put a new one up and they actually asked me what the new one for the week was!
Kelli M
Madison, MS
Always best to pray. Pray that they will hunger and thirst for righteousness. God's Word promises that they will be filled! Also, that they will hide God's Word in their hearts and allow it to be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. Nothing works best like praying Truth over their lives.
Have a great day. Patti
One way that works for me is to use the Scripture in a song. It works!
I think of all the Scriptures that I have learned over the years as a song, and they are embedded in my mind forever that way!
Funny, I was just thinking about this very thing yesterday......
We used the "Hide Them in Your Heart" cd's with our girls when they were younger... Singing the verses (any verse to a familiar tune) gets the verses in quicker with us!
other than repetition? the only thing that has ever worked for me is to have the words set to music. I learn best through song.
Of course that won't work for everyone.
This probably wouldn't work for Jackson and younger, but for you and I, I have found it a great help.
Crayola makes a colored marker, I believe a package of 6 or 8; that are for glass & mirrors. AWESOME!
I also am asking for help, if anyone has a great bible marker that doesn't bleed through in other colors besides yellow, would you be willing to share the name brand and where I can find them at? xrogersh@pld.com
Thank you!
Love you Siesta's!!!
If you are at all musically inclined, adding a little tune and "singing" your verse is helpful. Think of all the little kiddy songs you know, Old MacDonald Had a Farm, for example... just any catchy tune. Add a clap or a snap here or there for fun. Anything that inspires fun or a giggle will help!
Hope this is helpful!
Elizabeth
MUSIC! set anything to music with actions and it's easier to memorize... mix up the order, write the words on balloons and pop them. March around the room. There are 1000s of way to make it fun. The key really is that-- make it fun.
The verses that are most engrained in my mind are the ones I sing.
Some of these are songs of people with song writing talents, others come from the terrifying brilliance that is my own mind.
When I realize that a song I love from a songwriter is from scripture, then I'll add a little made-up part that includes the reference. I started this in college because I was always saying, "Somewhere in the Bible it says...." and I didn't want to do that anymore!
I remember scripture songs from when I was in elementary school (and I'm in my late 20s). They are in my head and live in my heart!
The best thing we ever did when our kids were little was to SING the verses. We started this in Community Bible Study Children's Program. Take a short verse and sing it to the tune of London Bridge, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. It really works!
Also, time in the car is another place they are contained and still. Buy a CD of kids singing scripture and praise songs.
Our kids are older now and we moved on to short chapters like Psalms 1 and 23. Keep rewarding their accomplishments! Our oldest is memorizing James 1 because when he has it down he gets to start learning how to drive! YIKES! Then it will be me repeating the verses.
Marthanne in Dallas
Here's a different take on this, dear friends. I hope it helps.
When working on Scripture with my kiddos, I want to them to memorize it because they love God's Word; not because I reward them or because I make a super fun game out of it (though that's fine to do.) More than asking ourselves what tricks we can do to get them to memorize it, we should change the question to: What can I do to get them to LOVE God's Word? If they begin to love His Word, they'll begin to memorize it.
I still remember verses that I learned as a small child in Sunday School over thirty years ago. I can't tell you what tactic was used to get me to learn them, but I can tell you that those Sunday School teachers infused a deep love for the Word of God on a very young girl that is sustaining me right now in the darkest period of my life. Their contribution was priceless.
With my own children, how do I teach them to love God's Word? By talking about it all the time. By telling them all of its benefits. By making it applicable to their everyday lives. By teaching them that it is their only defense against the Enemy. By showing them that the God who wrote it is very real and deeply in love with them. When you make Scripture come alive for them, they will begin to love it and begin to allow it to be written on their own hearts.
Love you, dear Siestas...
I make a chart with the names of the students and then I post it where the people of the church can see the chart. That then makes the parents have little Johnny do the memory verse because they don't want adults of the church to think that there child is not doing the memory verse. I give a star to the ones that have memorized the verse. This works very well. It gets the parents involved and the child gets the verse memorized. They really don't like the idea of someone getting stickers and there child not and everyone seeing this. I then have a prize at the end of the month for the one with the most stickers. Hope this helps.
For my 5 year old hand motions and music work best..but for my big boys memory work is easiest if they understand the verse first...read over it...break it down...ask questions about it...try to figure out the who, what, where..and then it seems easier to memorize.
April
For several years, my husband, our two (now teenaged) daughters, and I have taught 3rd grade Sunday School. One of the most effective methods we have used with Bible memorization is in essence a game for the kids. Only limitation is that they need to be able to read. At the end of our Sunday School time with them, I would write the memory verse on the board. We would read through it, as a group, a couple of times. I would always do this in an exaggerated way, running back and forth in front of the white board, touching each word and using great voice intonation. After a couple of times, I would then call on a child to come up and erase one word while the rest of the class covered their eyes. The class would then read the verse with me again, filling in the missing word. We would do this until every word, including the "address" was missing. By using this method, the kids had the verse memorized by the time they left the classroom and only had to keep praticing it during the week. The kids enjoyed this so much that they would beg their parents to stay until we were done if "big church" let out early. Most of the parents loved to stay and play along with us. Praising them and remarking on how smart and clever they are is the real key in keeping them invested in this tricky learning tool.
~Michelle in Idaho
Yeah, no kidding. I could use some help in this area too. Lookin' forward to these responses.
Wow Amanda...
What a great idea for a post today!
We teach a 2nd Grade Sunday School class and here is what is working for us with this age:
1. Every activity in the class should point to the lesson and the memory verse.
2. We get the verse visually in front of the kids as much as possible.
3. We have Bible Centers and one of those always is a game, puzzle or activity involving the memory verse.
4. We do a matching game with the words of the verse printed on pairs of index cards. When they find all the matches they see how fast they can put the verse in the correct order.
5. Put motions to the scripture! This reminds me of what your Mom did in the Fruit of the Spirit study...simple, but works every time!
6. We play "Heads Up, Seven Up." I write the verse on a marker board. The kids cover their eyes. I erase one word and then they take turns saying the scripture without the word. Then I erase another and another until all the words are gone.
7. Our church offers Pastor's Bucks for many things -- like bringing their Bible, being there every Sunday in a month, saying their memory verse, learning the Bible Books, etc. The Pastor's Bucks work much like tickets do at Chuck E Cheese's. Once in December and once in May, the kids get to "spend" their Pastor's Bucks in the Pastor's Bucks Store. And we have GOOD stuff...not like that junk you get at CEC! :)
I think the most important thing I have done for our class is I've involved the parents. I have let them know why we are learning these verses and bringing our Bibles. Once the parents are "on board" they will work with their children. We also openly acknowledge children who are doing it well. This encourages the children who are not trying to step up.
Finally, with my own kids I use index cards. My son was State Superior in Bible Drill two years in a row and I'm convinced that without those index cards for him to study, meditate on, etc., he would not have done so well.
Sorry to be so long. But these are some things that have worked for our class.
Blessings,
Dori
Well, I do find that the best way to memorize anything is in a song. My daughter is 27 and still knows all the United States' names because she learned them in a song. So what about some simple song to learn scripture.
When my youngest brother was a toddler, my mom taught him verses that went along with the alphabet. For example, A: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There was a book that had a verse for every letter. At least until a few years ago, Brady could still quote most of those verses. He's over 30 now! You might be able to find the book or something similar over the internet.
Blessings
Kathy W
My best scripture memory tip (for kids and grown-ups) is to act out the verse. Have them say the address at the beginning and at the end of the verse, but make up motions for the major points of the verse. If you say it, read it and do it you're more likely to remember it! :-) Hope this helps.
I don't know of a good idea about Bible brining. Maybe a reminder bracelet like the blue bracelets we wore during Believing God?
I went to a Private Christian school so we had to memorize bible verse all the time. My Bible teachers made us write them in a spiral 3 x 5 notebook. It really helped, keep the verse all together and easily accessible. You could always get the kids to decorate their notebooks so that they are unique and personal to them and write the verse in fun colors.
Songs work great. Especially for my oldest daughter who can memorize a song faster than any human I know.
We also work on scripture memory at the same time that she does her spelling homework. I figure if she's memorizing spelling words, she might as well be memorizing scripture, too!
There are some wonderful Scriptures with very catchy tunes that make memorizing God's word almost easy. We had tapes of GT and the Halo Express when my girls were young, and those Scriptures still have a melody to me! Also, using any opportunity to say verses together, such as riding in the car or during bath time. Let your children see you memorizing verses and they will be inspired.
And with everything, much prayer!
The AWANA program has the best memorization skills a parent could hope for. We found a program at a church in our community and it literally changed our children's lives. They made wonderful friends and learned more Scripture than we ever could have taught at home. It is a strong, time-tested program. And when our children were older, they became leaders, thus setting an example to future generations. It is well worth looking into, especially for Scripture teaching and memorization.
The consensus seems to be set the scripture to music...I agree. This has worked the best for me also when I've taught Sunday School and now that I have a nephew who is getting older (2 1/2), I most definately want to instill the Word deep in his heart. Thank you Nikki for focusing us on the ultimate goal and that is to instill a LOVE for the Word deep into the hearts of our little ones! You are right on girl!
I think flash cards is one good way to teach them. Also, my kids are 5 and 4 and we use a lot of drama and hand motions when we say them!! THey laugh but it really helps them learn it. It's also a lot of fun and I learn with them.
I just read most of the blogs and thought if anyone else had my idea, and unanimously..its singing. I have a really long and difficult last name...no one can pronouce it when they look at it. When it came to teach my sons how to spell it..11 letters...I did the mickey mouse theme song to the letters...they learned it so fast...its SINGING!!! ...that will do it...I still remember the Macdonald's ad about the big mac from the 70's..good grief....its singing. Sing a new voice unto the LORD!!! Sing with praise and thanksgiving. Blessings to all you siestas!!!
Learning verses to song is a great way to memorize. I have also posted Scripture on the bathroom mirror and in front on the kitchen sink when I'm really trying to stay focused. As for the 5th graders, I think your best method may be to try to make the Bible come alive for them in class and pray God will bring it to their minds during the week.
And to Yolanda, the very best markers for the Bible are Crayola crayons. They are perfect; won't bleed through and what a variety of colors! I don't use anything else.
Dori had alot of great ideas. I believe it is more important for the kids to get the jist of the verse than word-perfect. I think The Message is a great translation to use. Also, I have cut out footprints and placed them in a path with the words of the verse on each one. The kids have to hop from one foot to the next saying the word. I have also just learned that if they listen to the verse, even without music, for a couple of minutes a day, in one week it is in their long term memory. We will be trying this at home!
Mel
Looks like singing and songs are a hit.
I also want to add that incorporating activity that involves all the senses and learning styles in a group setting may be beneficial. Cynthia Tobias has great books on learning styles that may help.
For Yolonda--I use map pencils for the Bible. Now available are mechanical type that twist out the lead. No sharpening.
Blessings to you all.
Engrafted by His Grace-
Shonda
I used to teach 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School...I would write the verse on a poster and cut it up and then have the kids put it together! They had fun with it and learned at the same time!
Gena Terry
I agree with using the songs. So many Psalms have songs already. I find myself throughout the day humming these tunes and realize it is God's Word in my heart.
When my husband and I were teaching 4th-6th graders on Sunday nights last year, we were having trouble getting them to do any memory work so we decided to choose a handful of verses and dedicate several months to those. We let them memorize the verses about spiritual armour in Ephesians by dedicating each week to studying what each piece of armour is. By the end, they could recite the whole thing. Then, we did the same with the Roman Road. We did promise a celebration at the end, but it only came after they exhibited the ability to share the Roman Road with someone. We emphasized how we can use the verses to help others know Christ, as well as how they could explain those verses using their own testimonies. Knowing they would have to share the verses and having a personal application for each really helped them commit those verses to memory! (By the way, we brought in random people from the church for them to share the verses with after they had shared them with each other.)
Through songs - Glory Revealed is an awesome CD for this. My kids will be playing around the house and singing those verses.
Through giving them a visual of the verse. A scenario where they might be the one doing the action mentioned in the verse.
Writing them down on a note card and taping it to their mirror, bathtub, car door or window, etc.
Hmmm...I was just about to write a post on this! It's a perfect reward system that God showed me through my kindergartener, Tabor.
In his classromm, they receive compliments. For a certain number of compliments, they receive a reward, like a party.
So I've adapted this for my home, especially on a long weekend with all four of them! We sit together and write a list of rewards they would like and then after three compliments, they may pick a reward from the board.
As far as the memory goes, music with the verse works best for my kids. There are CD's by Steve Green and through the homeschooling program Sonlight.
Amanda,
I know this comment doesn't belong here, but didn't know where else to put it. I have two tickets to Beth's retaping of Breaking Free in New Orleans, November 10 - 15 that I am not going to be able to use. I really hate that I can't go, but I have gone back to work and just can't take the time off. Anyway, I know that it is late to try and get a hotel room, but if somebody in the New Orleans area would like to go please email me at pgcmartha@yahoo.com. They are $30 each. Thanks so much!
Martha in MS
thanks for the tips....they an learn it, we do learn it in class but the next week they will not "remember" or even try during the week to remember ... same with Bibles.
I am going to try some of your tips and keep looking for more replies.
Thanks!
Yes music is great. In that most of us aren't great listeners it gets more areas of the brain working than just speech. I have found using sign language has helped me. I used an online dictionary to learn the main words in the verse. Anytime you can use more of the senses it helps. I'm a kinesthetic learner and moving helps and I’m 50!. Thus we use finger plays with little ones. I'd think young girls would love to act out the verse in mime or a skit. Very few of us are best at auditory learning, did I say that already! The artistic child could make a poster while practicing the verse and then read it with the group. Not that you'd use every method every week, but rotate methods for the different learning styles. I'd add to the person who suggested prayer, pray that you can understand each child’s learning style. I also agree to pray that God would make them hungry for His Word in their heart, God can provide the best motivation.
Just read the verse several times a day (maybe breakfast and before bed). You'll be amazed how quickly they, and you, remember it! This is how we memorize longer passages. Usually our children know the Scripture long before my husband and I do.
1. Singing is probably the best method; there are so many wonderful children's CDs out there that can be played in the car, during playtime at home, etc. Hymns for Kids (the ones Jone E. Tada does) are great for older children because they have a story (and everyone likes a story). You can also download the accompaniment tracks if you need one. Our kids love hymns and we just go through the hymnal and sing them together at home; Elisabeth Elliot has written about her family singing hymns at the breakfast table- one could check out her writings as I think she is one of the wisest women I know of.
2. When I was teaching, I took a staff development course and we learned that the majority of a class (even adult) are going to learn from one another rather than the teacher, so you absolutely need to include time for the kids to talk together in the class setting- it can be through a game, a cloze exercise (they fill in the blanks with a partner), assign a time for them to create a commercial or small dialogue using the Scripture, etc. Then rehearse it for several weeks using a variety of techniques- some of the aforementioned, give them a scenario they'd be familiar with in "real life" and ask them what Scripture would give them some guidance so they're having to make application. I think we try to move on too quickly to more verses before one has really stuck. I love teaching and could go on for hours...
3. We have used 2 books as we've been parenting that speak to this topic- Teach Them Diligently by Lou Priolo and Withhold Not Correction by Bruce Ray.
Some ways we did memory in my Sunday School class (5th and 6th graders)when I co taught:
1. Write each word on a different index card, turn them upside down on the table and have the kids put them in the correct order.
2. Have the kids stand in a line and have each one say one word (in order) from the verse.
3. Have the kids take turns going to the board and write one word from the verse. (These 2 took a team effort and the kids really got into it.)
4. One time we had them write their memory verse on flip flops (ie. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news Is 52:6)Other times we turned it into a poster or some other creative outlet.
5. Sometimes we would clap as we said the verse out loud - kind of making a rhythm out of it
We always tried to make it fun while teaching them how important it is to have God's word hidden in your heart.
When my kids were young, there were a few methods I used: Drawing pictures (if possible) to hold up so the kids can watch them as they are saying it, putting the verse to a tune, or using hand/body motions with the verse. Making it FUN, FUN, FUN is SO important!
And when they can read, writing it out and cutting it up as a puzzle for them to put together over and over. That's all I can remember... Oh, how I miss my youngin's! :o)
I used to be a children's pastor. I have found that kids now are much less motivated by stuff than they were even fifteen years ago - I don't know about your church but in mine they get almost everything they want without having to work for it so why work? The best motivator I can think of is relational time - have a lunch out that they can earn as a group if they earn enough points. I agree that we need to memorize because we love God's Word but even if the motivation is less than ideal, the verses they learn will stick with them and hopefully their motivation will change with maturity. For now - a party every three months might work. And group points rather than individual points may use peer pressure towards a positive goal!
Music has always worked best with my son Isaac who is now 9 and my daughter Janie who is 8. There are some really good CD's with scripture put to music. One in particular I like is "Glory Revealed, The WORD of GOD in WORSHIP" done by various artist to include Steven Curtis Chapman, Shane & Shane, Micheal W. Smith etc. It has a beautiful rendition of our memory verse we used for the "No Other Gods" summer study.
Royana
Maybe, making up hand motions to go with the verse.
A friend of mine would pick a verse at the beginning of the week. Then she would write it out and tape it near the table. At the end of every meal, all three kids had to say their verse before they could be excused. She would help until they had it memorized, of course. After 7 days of the same verse over and over, they had it! AWANA is an excellent program for scripture memory as well.
Hi, I teach first grade and I have been there. The best thing that works for us is to send the memory verse home to the parent. I keep the verse short. We also try to call our kids during the week and mention learning the verse and to bring bible. We find even harder than the verse is for them to bring their bible. Parents just do not deem it important for their kids to bring their bibles-this is what we are seeing. God Bless!
For my 2nd-4th graders at church that I teach I tell them to put their memory verse on their refrigerator. The rule is they have to say their verse in order to open the refrigerator. This year we have a "race" theme, so they get medals when they complete so many verses, water bottle filled with candy, etc. Also if you could send out a mid-week reminder to them. I think lots of kids want to memorize them they just forget.
My friend has a large, ceramic plate which is displayed on a stand in her kitchen near the table. She writes a new verse on it each week using a felt tip marker. They discuss the verse at meal times and say it. Her children have memorized many verses this way over the years.
One of the kids curriculum's our previous church used was picking short simple verses and using hand motions and signals to encourage the children to remember the Scriptures.
I wish I could remember the reference... but the Memory Verse in the sample lesson was "The son of man came to seek and save that which was lost..." (Maybe Luke 19:10)
Now the part I remember most was the video leader making us put eyeglasses over our eyes for "to seek". I've never forgotten that verse.
Something that I do as a memory exercise is to write in sets of threes the Scripture I want to memorize and then try reciting it without looking. If I get stuck I go ahead and look, but I continue to recite it and write it until I can do so without looking or error.
The index cards are good for children who can read.
My daughter learned a lot of Scripture in 5th Grade because her Sunday school had a "competition" where each child was encouraged to memorize Scripture, return "homework" which was basically reviewing the lesson with parents, and bringing their Bible as well as friends to church each week. They set up a star system and those who did these things got a star for each thing. When the students earned a certain number of stars they received a new Bible from the Church. It worked. A number of the students earned a new Bible that semester.
We also did the hand motion or visual reminders for the memory verses with the after school kids I worked with. It worked. A child would do much to earn a "good" prize." The better the reward - the more they put into earning it.
Hey Kathy! I miss my siesta fiesta friend! Hope your ankle is better.
I'm sad the candy didn't work. I love the idea of motions, but I know that won't work for every verse.
Absolutely loved Nikkis' comment!!! So true!!!
As far as tips, I agree with all the comments to set scriptures to music - if kids can sing it, they seem to remember it better.
I help out in the kindergarten Sunday School class, and the teacher has the kids sit on a rug, in a circle, and they repeat the verse over and over, each time in a different way that makes it fun for the kids. For example, last week they said their verse:
* while holding their tongue
* while pinching their nose
* while giving themselves "moose antlers" with their hands
* clapping each syllable
* waving their hands in the air
...you get the idea, and the kids love it.
At home, my two kids (4th and 6th grade) have a verse to memorize each week for school. We practice them on the way to school each morning - we break the verse down, dicuss and understand the meaning, but I think it's the sheer repetition that helps them to memorize the verse.
Finally I'd say that I see an impact - my kids have quoted relevant verses to me in difficult situations, so I know that they are hiding those words in their heart, and that is such a blessing to me.
Love and hugs
Adrienne
This is in response to Yolanda's request for a great marking pen that doesn't bleed through in your Bible. The Pentel Automatic 8-color Pencil is great. It is highly recommended by Kay Arthur and Precept Ministries. It is pricey but well worth it. The pen comes with 8 colors, yellow, orange, pink, red, light green, two shades of blue & brown. You can also purchase refills in other colors like purple and black. They highlight perfectly and do not bleed! Hope this is helpful. Blessings to all, Sandy
We homeschool and for both kids in Kindergarten we used My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt. There is a verse for each letter and a story that goes along with it to illustrate the verse in action. Both kids love it. We say the verse 3 times each morning and by Friday, they've earned a sticker for their bible verse chart. After they fill up their sticker chart (8 verses - 2 months), they get a trip to the bible store to pick out something they want (stickers, book, cd, etc - usually $10 limit). Also, we don't do them in order. We use My Father's World Kindergarten curriculum and do them according to what letter we are working on that week. Hope this helps! (PS- She also has a great book called Big Truths for Little Kids).
Michelle
My three and four year olds have both just begun Awanas this year...it has been a joy to hear them learning and recite these verses...it's been good for their Momma too! When we have cubbies time in the afternoon, with each new verse we set it to some type of rhythm with motions or sign language...this has seemed to help them.Hope this is helpful...Love to all!
Laura Beth Fletcher
With my very busy 4 and 2 year old boys, we march around the house chanting the verse and "address" to a rythm. It's so hard for them to sit still!! They also love music but on a tight budget, that can get spendy. I think a person just needs to know how their child learns best. =)
My niece's and nephew's used the alphabet method (like sharon gowen described)
That method was used in their school curriculum. I do know this... their other aunt who attended the same school as a child still knows all those verses. She just goes through the alphabet!
First time to post but had to share! Have you heard of the GT and the Halo Express series? My kids and I still remember verses from the songs we listened to years ago and the scripture reference since it is included in the tune. I have bought them recently for gifts and will be reordering now for my new grandson! I don't know if this link will work but here is the website: http://www.gthalo.com/products.asp
Kay B
Atlanta GA
Good post Amanda. I need the help for myself!!
I don't know if this helps for Sunday School but I personally memorize Scripture best when I desperately need it or use it often. Even though I do try to memorize Scripture with index cards and stuff, I noticed that the ones I really and truly know are not the ones that I set out to study. They are the ones that I hung on to for dear life. So I guess what you could try to do is to make it RELEVANT somehow. The how will depend on the particular situation or Scripture.
My kids are active in AWANA and they know more scripture at 7 and 4 than most people know at 50. One thing we do is put the words to a tune. It really works!! Try singing the verse to the tune of a well known song (Jesus Loves Me, Shout to the Lord, and Jesus Loves the Little Children are some of our favs).
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
To Amanda for the post and everyone for their comments. As a mom of a 2.5 year old I wondered how to do this. He has memorized a prayer for meals and he loves to sing along to Veggies Tales. Now we can start doing memory verses. I am sure we will both learn them!
Make a game out of it. Now this if for 5th graders not for Jackson. Take the verse Print it out. Cut out the verse word by word. and have the kids put together the verse like a puzzle.
Another one that worked well. Print out the verse but leaving some of the important works out and replacing them with blanks. Have the kids take Alaphabets ceral or pasta and spell out the missing words.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Bev
I am loving these ideas! I used to tell my daughter "let's hurry and find a verse to memorize so we can say it to Nana on her voice mail!" Now that I think about it, thats not very exciting haha. But she loved to dial my moms voicemail herself and leave it. "Nana" gives lots of praise!
So we usually pick a section of verses, like 5-10 and write them on a piece of paper. Then I read the section 10 times in a row with lots of inflection on the same words each time. While I'm reading, my daughter keeps count on her fingers how many times I've read it. She thinks it's funny to hide her fingers so I never know how many times so far. :-) Lastly, for the next day or two we go on several short walks on our street and say the verse out loud during the walk. Funny enough, I get fooled every time. She never seems like she is paying attention when I read it, but then she hauls off and does it perfectly on like the 2nd day. So now I let her act distracted, and it doesnt stress me. hehe
Great topic, and I love the hints!
At the Christian school my children were in for 7 years, they had a neat way of doing it...
some teachers would use singing and set the verses to music, and others would make up signs they could act out with their hands or bodies to go with a word or phrase.
Even my kindergartener could recite several verses together doing it with signs and she loved doing it!
My son still sings some of the verses he learned in 2nd and 3rd grade. I think learning them with signs helped the most though -- they seemed to learn it quicker. At least mine did.
and they LOVE showing them to people.
I have four school-aged children that I help memorize scripture every week. Here are some things that have worked. Writing the verse on white board, say it twice together, then begin erasing 3-5 words as a time (depending on how long the verse is) until you've erased the whole thing. They will know it by the end. Then review later in lesson and the following week. I've also had girls stand up on certain words and boys stand up on others. I've done relays where they have the verse written on a piece of paper sitting on a chair. Above the chair taped on the wall is a blank sheet of paper with marker. Divide the class into two teams. Each student writes one word of the verse including reference. The first team to complete it correctly wins! They will know it. Have fun!
Stephanie
We practice memory verses right before bedtime every night. By Friday, my seven year old can recite it for her Bible Verse Test flawlessly.
Start them off young, too!
I used to work at a Summer Day Camp where we would have a theme verse each week. We would set the verses to song - a tune that all the kids would know (Veggie Tales theme, Scooby Doo, etc). It worked like a charm and 3 years out I still sing some of them when I'm trying to remember!
p.s. There is nothing like a gymnasium full of children singing scripture. (Psalm 8:2)
Yolanda-- for Bible marking, I could never have made it through Kay Arthur's inductive method without Crayola's Erasable Twistable Colored Pencils! They never need to be sharpened and erase well! They're a little waxy, but very easy to use and in tons of colors!
"Sing the Word" cds are great. My 6 year old memorized Psalm 1 completely in about a week with this cd! We do Awana, and I can't say enough about how good this program is. They also publish cds of Scripture set to music.
When I memorize, I tape a copy of the verse to my cookbook holder and to the fridge (Kate Gosselin-style!) I will repeat it over and over while I am cooking.
When I am driving I keep Scripture cards nearby so when I am waiting to pick up kids I can review. Saying the verses outloud, loudly, with conviction!, helps so much. Then the Scripture just rolls right off my tongue. It's one thing to memorize it in my head, but it's a very different thing to memorize it out loud. The latter causes you to use it more and say it to others.
Our church memorizes Fighter Verses (Bible verses)each week, but despite many attempts we haven't been at all consistent in memorizing the verses as a family. I pray with our boys on the way to school each day, and it finally occurred to me that I could use that time for Scripture memory as well. I printed copies of the Fighter Verse in very large print and put them in the pockets that are on the backs of the driver/front seats -- right in front of the boys. Now we practice the verses on the way to school, and it's working! And they're loving it. [I have to give credit where credit is due: I've been convicted about how much I feed my own soul on God's Word each day, and yet how relatively little I'm helping my children hide God's Word in their hearts. The women in my Beth Moore Bible study group have been praying for us regarding this, and God is answering their prayers!]
Linda in MN
I'd say do it together..make time at the end of Sunday School or during the day if you are doing it with your kids...and work on them together. I make a game out of it. We put the verse to a song and do motions. That REALLY helps. I put a few words of the Scripture verse on 3x5 cards and then set a timer and they put them all in order.
I have my kids write their memory verse in cursive every day. (Helps with their cursive practice-as well as knowing the verse.)
Make games out of it, do it together. Then the teacher learns as well as the kids. :)
Kelly S.
Hi Amanda and Kathy, :O)
My suggestion would be to make it part of your class time, Kathy. Since there's no way to make kids bring their Bibles, provide Bibles in class (see if your church will supply you with enough for each child to have one to use). The idea is to get them in the word. If they won't do it at home (yet), do it in class. Make Bible memory time really special. When you get the Bibles out talk about how it holds the keys to life! Maybe even do a demonstration using a key and a treasure box, or journal, or safe. Use suspense. "What treasure are we going to find today?" Open the treasure box with a key and have something inside that has to do with the verse you are learning. Talk about this treasure and how it applies to their lives. Maybe write the verse on the board and say it together a few times. Then erase words and keep saying it until you erase all the words and you say it by memory. Making up fun tunes and singing the words is great too. The kids can take turns leading as well. Those are just a few ideas that come to mind. Hope you find just the right idea that will stick with your group. And God bless you for teaching!
Love 2 all, Jax
Steve Green's "Hide 'Em in Your Heart" is wonderful! We listen to it in the car or during lunch. My not quite three year old sings along and my one year old dances and claps.
So timely - my daughter was just reciting all the verses that we have said in our home over and over her 19 years as I talked her over the phone!
So...Repeating them over and over - year after year!
The real blessing and testamony to the power of God's word is that my oldest who has a horrible time memorizing had to memorize 30 pages of script for a play that was mainly scripture and the Lord blessed it amazingly. To this day she has those hidden in her heart.
My youngest is just like her oldest sister, is so struggling to learn to read - but the easiest thing for her to read??? - the Bible!
As a dyslexic person with daughters who take after me - I have to agree - songs. Going to bed the older two and now the younger, listen to steve green - hide in your heart and worship cd's. Then we have a couple other bible scriptures cd's - like Bagge's tunes - that sing the Word. We use songs now - to remember Psalms for stepping-up.
I also agree with praying for a hunger and living out the importance of the Word. We use it to back up our opinions in conversation, in our prayers, what we cry out for in during a bad dream at night.
Also - my friend just suggested using pictures to depict the verse. Her kids are memorizing the whole book of Proverbs that way!
Can't wait for the rest of the suggestions!
mk
I think putting scripture to music or a tune is the absolute best way to learn. Once my oldest (who is now reading sings a verse), I write it down on a index card for her to learn to recognize the words. This has worked very well :)
I keep a small plastic easel next to my the CD player in the bedroom of my 2 little boys- I was already in the habit of playing bedtime music every night since they were babies- then I came up with the idea of setting the easel next to the CD player/clock which perfectly holds 5x7 flash cards- I put verses on each card- when they memorize 1- I add a new one- the stack is growing. This was helpful when they could not read. They are just beginning to read now- so they can see them during the day which helps for memorizing. We review the stack of verses every so often. It is now part of our bedtime ritual- then the kids go to bed with God's word in their mind and hopefully it's etched onto their hearts!
Lots of love siestas
Rosie
Putting verses to songs are great, also you can teach sign to verses. It is educational, they remember and I think when there is interest in something, kids remember what they are supposed to.
Loved the suggestion from Kelli M. in Madison, WI.
Rosie
It will be written here a million times because it WORKS: Put the scripture to an easy tune. Think of all the obnoxious songs we remember from our youth...wouldn't you rather be remembering scripture instead of the words to "Delta Dawn"?? :o)
There are guite a few Scripture Memory Song CD's available. We have a couple of Steve Green's and a few of Max Lucado's Hermie and Wormie.
What I like about these are that they are really Bible verses put to music. Most of them are catchy, so much that I wake up at night with one of them stuck in my head! It is fun and easy, I have a four year old and 20 month old and they love these CD's.
My 7 year old and I learn his verses in the car. Last year he learned a very lengthy portion for his Wednesday night classes. He is contained with nothing else to do. As for getting a class to learn, I think first the parents have to really be involved in teaching them at home. Maybe give tips to there parents on how to memorize. Good Luck..
I just started this week using the book "My ABC Bible Verses" by Susan Hunt with my son. He already has the "A" verse memorized and he's only three!
All 4 of my children have been involved in AWANA since they were all 3 to 4 years old. In the "early years" of AWANA in Cubbies and Sparks (preschool through 2nd grade) the best way that I found for the kids to memorize their scriptures was by setting them to song. Whether it was just "singing" the verses in a sing-songy type of voice, or singing an actual song the musical approach worked VERY well. In my years as an AWANA leader, and as a Sunday School teacher, I have found other tricks that work well to help with bible memorization. One that works with children that are more auditory and kinesthetic learners is to clap your hands to the rhythm of the verse. (Much like we did as a child with deciding how many syllabels were in a word).
Another method that I use as a leader/teacher (I actually use both methods in the classroom/group situation) is to write the whole verse out on the white board (or a piece of paper) and then have the class/group repeat the verse 2-3 times, then I erase 3-5 words at a time and have them repeat the verse and then erase another 3-5 words, etc until the board is empty and they have the verse firmly in their brain. Even if they don't practice the verse at home all week, they will still remember bits and pieces of it, and have hidden even a small bit of God's word in their hearts.
I was having similar problems with the students bringing their Bibles and found that the best/most effective manner was to send a letter home to the parents asking them to make sure that their students brought their Bible from home each Sunday. I found an amazing number of the children didn't have Bibles of their own....so we (the church) gave them Bibles that we let them write their names in, and "keep forever".
I hope that these may work for you....
Blessings,
Lori in Central CA
I could not wait to post on this subject. I am the Sparks director for my church's Awana club. My husband and I are on the local ministry team for the Alabama/North West Florida area.
For those who are not familiar with Awana clubs, Awana is a club that not only emphasis memorizing God's word, but also spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Awana has an apologetic approach to learning God's word beginning at the age of three.
~~~ Some ways to memorize the Word is to take verses in chunks and then place all the chunks together.
~~~ Take the first letter of each word and write it down. Example would be FGSLTW,THGHOAOS,TWBIH,SNP,BHELL John 3:16
~~~Awana has a website where one can purchase CD's that has all the verses sung to music. I haven't checked out other CD's on the market but I would think they are out there.
Working with 5-8 years old, music is they way to go. We all remember silly songs from commercials form years ago. The reason is because of those jingles played in the background.
I hope this helps some of you. I can not encourage any of you enough that if you have young ones in your home to get them involved in Awana. The ministry has been around since 1950, has 5038 clubs in countries outside the USA and is a NON-DENOTATIONAL ministry.
Blessing to all,
Terrie
yall, i didnt read all the comments so someone already might have said this, but with Titus we used Max Lucado and friends CD's they are AWESOME. they are word for word scripture songs and he had 12 verses memorized in a couple days...so we got the others. Now he, and I, know SOO many from each CD. Now he is older (4) and we do the Fighter Vearses from Desiring GOD kids. They are amazing. Titus knows them in a day when we introduce a new one. They have a picture to go with it so you do it flash card style. Show the picture and he says the verse...he loves it.
As for fifth graders...the only advice I have is to REALLY try to get their parents involved. This will help so much.
We have a sticker chart for her memory verse. It is the same one for the whole month at sunday school and she gets an extra treat when it is full! I can make them on an Excel spreadsheet. She is 3 by the way.
Aaahhh.. I love Bible Memory with kids!
I worked with a group of 3-5th grade girls at my church for about three years, we did a game with a balloon. kinda like air volleyball.
We wrote the verse on the board, then the 'ball' (balloon) was batted into the air, each time the ball was hit(the person who hit it) would say the first word of the verse, then the next said the next word...etc until it went all the way around.
The next round of the game, you take one or two words of the verse off the board. Keep it going until the whole verse...and the address are off the board. before you know it.. a ten minute game has all the kids saying the verse.
The group of girls I worked with had a requirement to memorise over 50 verses and then take a written tests on it... not one young lady failed! It was fun to watch as they took the test, many stood..'batted' a ball and then would sit to finish writing the answers.
You can do this with a ring toss game, a tic tac toe game.. all kinds of stuff. Make learning the word fun, they will go for it better that way.
We try to use lots of music. There are some wonderful books that I purchased at Lifeway when my children are little that set Scripture to music. Also, we memorize verses as a family. When we are all working on it, that helps. Obviously, prayer needs to be the foundation.
Thanks for a wonderful post. As a SS director, I am thrilled!
Jenny
use the buddy system, ask them to bring 2 bibles and if someone forgets there buddy helps, teaches all kinds of lessons, dont ya think
I vote for songs and hand motions!
Here are a few other things I have done.
I wrote scripture on my sons bedroom wall. In big giant letters-and I read it to him regularly.
Ultimately the point of memorizing scripture is applying it and believing it. I think the best way for kids to learn scripture is for the parent to speak it over them repeatedly throughout the day every day over the years. Making it apart of your every day conversation.
also... on a side note... One of the most efective measures of discipline my parents gave me was to make me (and my brother-the other offending party) look up NUMEROUS scripture verses relating to our particular sin (for me-it was my mouth). I was grounded until I looked them all up wrote them all down and chose three to memorize.
It was so effective on so many levels. I learned how to look things up in the Bible, I learned where different books of the Bible were, I learned Scripture, and most importantly I learned how God felt about my untamed tongue!
Just an idea for those with older children.
I have 2 suggestions that have worked for us! :)
1. Scripture songs - someone mentioned Hide Em In Your Heart, those are good. I am pretty sure there are some more "updated" scripture songs but I am forgetting the name of the cd??
2. Kids love things with motions! So, for all the "main" words in each verse we learn the sign language for that word. I did not know sign language before doing this with my kids, I just bought a book called The Joy of Signing and look up the words we are doing to do for each verse as we get to them. My kids have REALLY enjoyed doing this!!
An example. We memorized Psalm 23 last year. The words in all CAPS are the words we also signed.
The LORD is my SHEPHERD I shall not WANT. He makes me LIE DOWN in green PASTURES...
you get the point. :) We do the signs as we are saying the verses. Hope that makes sense, but if not feel free to email me. :)
Candace
www.hismercyisnew.com
candacepsalm27_1@yahoo.com
When my kids see ME memorizing Scripture, they want to join in. I gave them each a small 3x5 notebook, just like the ones I have. Whenever an "issue" comes up, we search the Scriptures together to find God's thoughts on it. For instance, my 8 yr old was afraid of the dark. We wrote Ps 56:3 in his notebook, "When I'm afraid I will trust in God." Every night when the fear returned we got out his 3x5 card and spoke it out. One night I went into his room after he fell asleep and saw on his pillow a paper cut-out sword with the memory verse on it. Glory to God the little dude "got it!"
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth." 3 John 1:4
"
i worked at a camp for 1st-4th graders and these are just some of the teaching methods we used...
1. act out the verse if possible. example - Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...we got some big t-shirts and wrote a quality on each one. we had volunteers that would come up and as we said the verse they "clothed themselves' with the qualities.
2. make up a song to go along with the verse
3. write out the verse with just one or two words on a piece of paper. have the group read it and after each time they read it turn one part of the verse over.
I didn't read through all the comments so I'm not sure if someone has already suggested this: Steve Green's Hide 'Em in Your Heart CD's and Videos are the greatest! My children are now 20, 17, and 13 and I'm still singing those Scripture songs!
I agree with the songs comments. I learned a large amount of scripture when I was a child, and I still remember it, singing or not.
Another way, depending on how you learn, is to hear yourself saying the verse, hear yourself saying it as you write it, hear yourself reading it, etc.
Deuteronomy (and Jewish families) teach and practice the following verses, (it's called The Shema in the Jewish bible):
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: HASHEM is our God,
HASHEM is the One and Only. You shall love HASHEM, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. And these matters that I command you today shall be upon your heart. You shall teach them thouroughly to your children and you shall speak of them while you sit in your home, while you walk on the way, when you retire and when you arise.
I wrote the verse out of the Jewish bible from The Torah. I only quote it because I think it illustrates beautifully the idea of surrounding yourself and your children (or other's children) with scripture and speaking about the LORD. The other comments all bear witness about this same idea. There is an old choral arrangement that says, "Christ be in you, Christ beside you, Christ before you" it's about encompassing yourself with Him and His Word. I have totally found this to be true in my family's life.
We play a CD in the car called "Sing the Word from A to Z" (by the Harrow Family). The tunes are very catchy!
I've got to reiterate the silly song method. We memorize a verse a week and all of them go to a familiar song.
For example: (to the tune of Jingle Bells) I am the light of the world whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life....John 8:12, John 8:12, John 8:12b...John 8:12, John 8:12, John 8:12beeeeee!
John 3:16 goes to the tune of Jesus Loves Me.
Philippians 2:14 goes to "The More we get together, or Have you ever seen a Lassie"
I completely agree with all the comments about using music. Even if the girls roll their eyes because they are "too old" for them, if you add some wacky hand motions and teach them some verses to song...they will stick. If you: post verses on the wall on a posterboard (or if they're 5th graders, let THEM make the posters, sing the songs, and add hand motions--you are using THREE learning modalities (visual, musical, and kinesthetic) to teach them.
If you need some good songs, try: Max Lucado's Hermie and Wormie Scripture Memory Songs albums, any of the Scripture Memory Songs from the Donut Man, or Steve Green's "Hide 'Em In Your Heart, Album I or II"...I am probably the only adult in the US with ALL the Hermie and Wormie Songs, Both Steve Green Albums, AND Every Donut Man CD created ALL downloaded to my ITunes...but since I do children's ministry, I find that they are invaluable tools.
My friend Jean Thomason (a.k.a. "Miss Patty Cake") always likes to remind folks that music goes to a different part of the brain that normal old speech. When you speak to kids, you soon start to sound like Charlie Brown's school teacher...but when you sing stuff...it STICKS! It also makes whatever task you are up to seem a lot more fun! (Example: next time you want to get a toddler into a tub, instead of saying, "Let's go get a bath," try SINGING "Bath time, Bath time! Hip-hooray! Bath time, bath time--let's go play!" or some other such silly song about bath time. They'll follow you like you're the pied piper! :) It also works in a room full of chatty children. Just start singing whatever it was you were going to say (even if it doesn't rhyme)...they'll be listening to you in no time!
I got this from a website about homeschooling your children. While I don't home school, I find this site contains some helpful information. Especially this Bible memorization method. Hope it's ok to provide a link? I meant to put this into action a few months ago but it fell by the wayside...thanks for the reminder!
http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/
For older children, write the verse on a index card, put the index card in a ziplock sandwich bag, then tape the bag to the shower wall with duct tape. This is how I've always memorized verses--you can't help but look at it and learn it quickly!
I have a little boy about Jackson's age and he knows about 5 verses from memory. I keep a notecard with the verse on it in the car and we go through them for the first few minutes of our ride. He loves to hear me cheer when he says it. My favorite is the fruit of the spirit because I am probably the only person who can understand what he's saying!
We are big fans of Awana and my 3 year old often asks, "Mom, what's our verse this week?"
I don't think you can miss a beat by using the Steve Green Bible memory tapes. He puts the verses to music and they are very catchy and memorable. Better yet, little ones LOVE THEM in the car.
There's actually an entire book focusing on this subject, called Teach Them Diligently, by Lou Priolo. It even has some verse reccomendation in the back and the benefits of that specific verse. It's really helped me.
And there is always Veggie Tales...
Hi Amanda,
I agree with what Sharon Gowen said. Choose a verse for each alphabet. My older daughter goes to a Christian school and last year in Kindergarten, that was their format for teaching the kids Bible Verses. If you need the Bible verses they had selected, let me know and I will send them over.
2. By putting words to music. Make the verse into a song and kids will remember it better. For older kids, you may make a rap out of the verses.
3. Both my girls (6 & 3 year old) are willing to learn Bible verses because they see us (my husband and I) writing out our favorite verses and memorizing it.
Susannah
When my kids were small, I would write Bible verses on index cards and would put them on their bathroom mirrors. Then I would make sure that we worked the Bible verse into our daily conversation and apply to our life situations.
Yolanda asked for the name of a highlighter that won't bleed through. I use the Bible Dry Highlighter and it is refillable. A friend gave me one and I think she got it at LifeWay.
Cindy
The dinner table works best for us. Everyone goes around and recites.
Game for grade schoolers: "Erase a word." Write the verse on the board, and erase one word at a time, and replace it with a picture. (Example: draw a crown for king, etc.) Recite the verse again, using the picture to remind you of what the word was. Soon you'll have a board full of pictures, not words, and the students will have repeated the verse dozens of times.
Another fun grade school game is to have each student say only one word of the verse. One person says, "For," the next says, "God," "so," "loved," etc. Go around the class until everyone says a word or the verse is done.
For little ones...this makes me tear up because I remember my son saying, "Gah eeesss lah!" for "God is love"-his first verse. I loved Steve Green's "Hide'em in Your Heart". When my kids were little, I made verse signs on the computer and added little clip art pictures behind each word. Again, practicing at breakfast or dinner worked best for our family.
Obviously, actions and tunes work wonders, too. For kids and adults alike. :)
Oh, and I've also used Karyn Henley's Sword Fighting. Love her ideas!
I agree with those who mention the benefits of singing the verse, but if you're as musically challenged as I am, you could try some of the memory verse games I use with my second and third grade Sunday School class.
1. Erasing the verse one word at a time is always good.
2. Add-A-Word - For short verses have them say the verse adding one word at a time until they have the whole verse. (i.e. For . . .For God . . For God so . . etc.)
3. Ball Toss- Say the first word of the verse, then toss the ball to a child who adds the second word. It comes back to you for the third, then to a different child for the fourth, etc.
4. If you can't come up with motions that fit the verse, have them do simple things like clap, stomp or snap on important words in the verse.
5. Ping Pong - Divide the class into two teams and have them each say one word at a time, so that the verse bounces back and forth like a ping pong ball. Can be done several times, gradually making it faster and faster.
6. Pat, Clap, Snap - Start a simple rhythm, like a pat, a clap and two snaps. When the students have the rhythm down, slow down and say the verse with it.
Look in the Christian bookstore for a book with memory verse games. Trust me, I didn't make a single one of these up myself!
Anne
Put them to music! My daughter started the AWANA program at 3 years old and learned and recited over 60 VERSES her first year!!! We clap, put the verses to beats or music, and it is amazing how well she remembers them! The Awana store has cassettes and cds with the verses on them. www.awana.org
I teach 4 & 5 years in Sunday School... I bought a cheap little tape recorder at Wal-Mart... we repeat the verse a couple of times and then they say it together as a class. Then I play it back to them. They LOVE it! Then if time permits I take each child and they say the verse by themselves... when I play it back they guess who is saying the verse. They also love for their parents to hear it when they pick them up. It is fun and it works. Hope this helps.
Kate Joyce
Louisville, KY
One game I devised when I wanted the children to learn verses was to divide the verse into segments. Each segment was placed on a card and handed to a child or group. The children would then have to pay attention to their segment to know when it was needed to complete the verse. They would tape it to the board and reread from beginning to the end of their segment. It not only forced them to pay attention but they also had a great deal of repetition as the verse was put together.
They seemed to enjoy this and each week we continued to add verses while reviewing the previous verse.
Once you have several verses memorized you can divide the class into groups and have them race.
Philosophically I struggled with turning God's word into a game but my job was to help them get it into their heads. God will move it to their hearts and call the verses to mind when they are needed.
My children have participated in AWANA for many years and I can not tell you how many times one of them will bring to mind a verse that fits a situation. The motivating factor there is fake dollar bills used to purchase goodies from the general store. How is that for godly motivation? Anyway,I am so pleased with the amount of scripture they have learned.
Praise God for His ways.
Hope this helps.
I loved the alphabet idea...
I have Steve Green's "Hide 'Em In Your Heart" DVDs that my kids LOVE to watch. The Bible verses are to songs and they are reminded of them often. Or they will just start singing them. We read the Bible story last night of the little children coming to Jesus and I started singing the song they know about that verse. Then they both started singing it. IT was great!
I am all about using music as well. If you go to www.bookcloseouts.com (a Canadian book distributor), they have all of the Max Lucado Hermie Scripture CD's for a great price. (I think they are all $2.49-$3.49 rather than the retail of $6.99. The tunes are original and catchy and the second time through of the songs there are key words left out to promote memorization. They are categorized by "being special, being brave, behaving, etc." and some of them are repeated on several cd's but overall are definitely worth it. If you go to the site type in "Hermie cd" and they'll come up!
I think for the most part everyone agrees that music can be a great tool for memorizing. I have recently help my 9 yr old niece do some "in a hurry" bible verse memory for her youth group (Awanas). She did really well on most of them with just repetition in a rhythmic style chant (much like the song idea but without the music). However, one verse was just stumping her badly so as a hint I would do hand gestures to cue her for the next word/phrase.
Example: Passage Jeremiah 1:9:
9 Then the LORD put out His hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
For “Lord” I would point up,
“put out His hand” = stretch out mine,
“mouth” = point to my mouth, etc.
After the 2nd time me doing this she started doing the hand motions with me then about the 5th time she could say it just fine as long as she did the hand motions.
Some awesome suggestions here! Thanks for sharing.
This is such a great group!
Siestas are awesome!
without a doubt!!!! my FAVORITE are these must haves: "Seeds" CD's. I am telling you. These are the best. Not cheesy. My hubby and my 3 and 1 year old LOVE these. And I do to!
listen to them here: seedsmusic.com
Enjoy!
Darlene
I agree with singing to memorize! I have even learned verses as an adult by listening to some of the memory song tapes when my girls were young. One story about my now almost 16 year old daughter- I too would teach her Bible verses while I was bathing her- she was only about 2 and 1/2, and she insisted that John 3:16 began, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten soap!"
For Sunday school we use a points system for bringing their bible, knowing their scripture, bringing their homework, coming, bringing offering and then they get to shop with their points-very effective!
Also we do AWANAS-talk about scripture memory! Whew, also it helps my kids to see me memorize scriptures-we all do it as a family and get our scriptures signed off-great fun! We pray the scripture, tell it in story from (context)and look for patterns.
My 5th grade Sunday School teacher (shout out to Ed Stoner) went the bribery route. We got $5 for memorizing the books of the bible $5 for the 10 commandments and $5 for the 23rd Psalm. Guess who memorized all those things!?! Oh, yes, greedy little me.
Some people might frown upon this technique, but here I am 20 years later with all that great stuff still in my brain. I even remember who my 5th grade Sunday School teacher was and how important it must have been to him that I know this stuff :-)
The biggest thing I have found with any of my kids and scripture understanding or memorization is transferring the passion for the Truth to their hearts.
This may take time, you may not have too many hearts on board in the beginning, but when they get that you are legit they will rise up. Making the spiritual implications come alive is vital.
I love the bath time idea! Christopher's close to your son's age. Too bad he can't even say Jesus yet, but he's got AMEN down.
Learn how to sign Scripture! I was inspired to learn, really learn Galatians 5:22-23 from "Living Beyond Yourself." I fine-tuned the signs with the help of a signing friend and this site — http://commtechlab.msu.edu/SITES/ASLWEB/browser.htm — and I keep it fresh by signing it every single day.
This coming Sunday we'll be teaching it to our congregation of 450 to recap a study in Galatians.
Years ago, at Beth's suggestion, I began writing scripture I was memorizing on spiral index cards. It became a common occurance for my youngest son, who was about 9 or 10 at the time, to pick up my index cards and quiz me. He would tell me the next word or phrase when I couldn't remember and he loved it. I loved that he was learning the verses also.
I filled in teaching a preschool class at our churches Christian school right after I finished high school - YEARS ago. One thing this age responded so well to in memorizing scripture was in motions and faces... as in -
a soft answer turns away wrath (whispered kinda loud) but grevious words (making a face) stir up anger (stirring motion)
As I taught older kids and my older grew older we used a lot of music - also used alot of contemporary songs they already knew but didn't realize were directly out of scripture and expanded on those scriptures. We've also madd up our own songs, chants and my kids made up their own "rap" of the books of the Bible to learn them in order.
Last night my girls and their friends memorized several verses together by making up motions and having great phrasing. I left them to it alone and they did it! :)
I am using the kid's study books by Kay Krthur and Janna Arndt with my grandchildren every Friday after I pick them up from school. They love it. We started with the book of James, "Boy, Have I Got Problems!” They have a verse a week to learn from the book of James. There are activities for each day of the week. Precepts has other studies for children ages 7-12 depending on their reading skills. I am using it with 9 & 11 year olds. They are memorizing their verses and have races to see who can say it the fastest. I try to slow them down so they really understand what they are saying. Check this program out "Discover 4 Yourself". It is an inductive Bible study.
Karen
Just make it fun. Sing silly songs, dance around, make hand gestures...anything silly they'll love!
For toddlers ... The Veggie Tale Bible ... My hubby reads to my boys at night and at the end of each story there is a verse that goes along with the story. My oldest can cite both the verse and the reference to each story. The youngest even has some memorized.
Hubby also takes them on saturday morning dates where they work on other verses. Normally they wind up at chickfila and they will have a biscuit and scripture then play in the play area before coming home ... the motivation is the play area
Kids are creative! I got a kick out of watching the different expressions of the memory verse Beth posed this past summer. Let the kids (that are older) create a theatrical something or other to learn verses. A class of 5th graders might enjoy this tremendously.
Janet
I feel as though the Sunday School teacher should be looking to the parents of the children for support and aid. Do we need to bribe the parents! ;>) just kidding!
As far as memory with my kiddos, we do it right before bed. My 3 year old just started Cubbies through the Awana program and I am amazed at how well he does. We say it nightly and by Sunday night he is good to go! :)
I pray that it will be hidden away for all 3 of my boys!
When my boys were little, I would say Psalm 91:11-12 over them each night as I tucked them in. Then one night, my two year old said the whole thing by himself!! I was so shocked, because I had not been teaching it to him, but praying it for him. So he memorized it JUST BY HEARING IT EVERY DAY OF HIS LIFE.
SAY IT, SAY IT, SAY IT!!
For toddlers ... The Veggie Tale Bible ... My hubby reads to my boys atnight and at the end of each story there is a verse that goes alongwith the story. My oldest can cite both the verse and the reference to each story. The youngest even has some memorized.
They also do chickfila dates and they go over memory verses while having a biscuit then they play in the play area
I am sure some others have said this but "Hide Em in your Heart by Steve Green is FANTASTIC! One day I decided I was going to teach my daughter "do everything w/o complaining or arguing..." and she sang the song back to me! She had already learned it! There are some funny (early 90's) DVD's with the cd's but the kids love them! A MUST HAVE.
My five year old daughter, Shelby, attends a Christian school and is required to memorize a different scripture each week. I try to work the scripture into a song which makes it easier for Shelby to memorize. This method has worked so well that our three year old, Kailyn, has gotten used to memorizing the scriptures alongside her big Sis. It is my prayer that God's Word is forever embedded in their hearts.
The best way for me to memorize scripture, even at the age of 23, is putting it to a song. A silly one most times! Most of the scripture I've learned, I can still sing you the song. Silly, but helps.
Hence why I love Shane and Shane so much! Most of their songs are flat out scripture! Fabulous!
Also, though, repeating it over and over again out loud helps me.
Grade school kids:
Go back & forth, each saying one word, getting faster every time.
Sing it opera style, western style, any style.
Older kids:
Have them type the verse.
Use music to BRIBE them...new CDs if they memorize a passage!
I teach kindergarten. I have been to many brain-based learning seminars and one of the best ways we learn is through music AND movement. Ex. We never forget how to drive a car, ride a bike, etc. We all remember songs and famous commercials. Good luck! This can be a lot of fun for you too!
Richelle in TN
Try to find scripture put to music. It even works for adults!
Then listen to them over and over. In the car is a great place to listen!!
Oh you guys, this is so good. I co-teach 3rd-5th graders. Memorization is tough. There's a lot here for us to use. I noticed some of the "tricks" we learned from Child Evangilism in a couple entries.
As for the forgotten Bibles....our classroom has enough Bibles (all the same) so that children who come as visitors will not feel bad they don't have one and if the kids are struggling with where in the Bible to find a verse....there's always the page number. We have the little song for book memorization. And they're really good at it. But they have to sing the whole song to "find" II Timothy. It can take a while. They're just so darn cute!
Melana in Wyoming
My kids loved the Hide em in your Heart CD's/DVD's... they helped me too! There may be something cooler out there now... this was a few years back... but I can't tell you how many times I can recall all of those scriptures! My kids will still sing them to this day and they are in their teens : )
I write my daughter Lily Kate's on index cards and we do them at breakfast. She is three. I try to include a picture to help her remember: All we like sheep have gone astray. I drew a sheep and sometimes put it to a little tune.
amy
A great way I have found to teach verses is to teach them the sign language that goes with it. You can get the signs from lifeprint.com They seem to remember the words better with the signs to go with them. They love it too. Also this week we did an activity that worked wonders. Have each child hold a blown up balloon with a word or words on it from the scripture. Each child should hold a balloon. Have them recite the scripture each one reading his/her balloon. After you have gone through it a time or two begin to pop a balloon one at a time. Then have them do the scripture remembering the words from the popped balloon. Then pop another balloon... By the time you have gone over this scripture with each missing balloon, they learn it! It is a little noisy with the popping balloons, but they love that too.
At the risk of sounding sacriligious, my boys have what they call 'potty verses'.
Since they spend a great deal of time standing before the lesser throne, I post-it note Awana verses on the picture that hangs above the commode. Works for us!
Well I don't know if this will help but maybe?
Memorize
Personalize
Visualize
Harmonize
Be creative with this. Memorize with the name of the child in the scripture (personalize it at the same time) and then have him/her visualize what that scripture looks like with their name in that verse and how that verse looks to them.
Then, make a cute, fun song of the verse that both Mom and child can sing together and the child's name is in that verse as they sing. It becomes very personal and meaningful with their name there.
Don't know if this will work?!
Maybe?
Allison
We have a book that has many different memory verses that are familiar. I can't remember the name of it. (I would go check, but it's in her room and she's asleep!) I'm sure you could find something like it at Lifeway. She is only going to be 3 in December and she knows probably around 10 verses because she memorized the book. I also agree with the comment about helping children/anyone develop a true love for God's Word. We also try to use Scripture in everyday life. It's so sweet to hear her repeat something we've taught her through the Scripture!
Haley in TN
I am a first grade teacher and work with little ones on learning/memorizing things all the time. I also have experience with 4th and 6th graders so what I'm about to share works no matter how old they are. Research has shown (and I can attest to it) that the more ways a child can be involved in their learning, the better it sticks. Move to it, sing it, make a game out of it...Involve the whole child and the learning part will stick! Let them come up with the motions together and they will invest in it even more. If there isn't a song, pust the verse to a simple tune (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, etc). How many scriptures do we know because of hymns and contemporary praise songs? And no matter how old your students are, just remind them they aren't too cool to sing and move. :) Besides, it is LOTS of fun!!
As many others have said...music works
My three children are 4,6 & 8 years old. These are a few things we do.
1. We memorize scripture as a family. We say our verse together after we say our dinner prayer. We write it on a piece of paper and tape it to the wall next to our table. Decoratively speaking, it's not pretty but I like seeing all the verses we've hidden in our heart on the wall. We also recite it after bedtime prayers. There are always opportunities to apply it to real life too.
2. My 8 year old and I have Bible journals (the 5 cent sprial notebooks). And he and I pick a verse to work on. We write it each morning at breakfast in our notebooks until we can write it from memory.
3. We also review scripture in the car, as we are driving. Some are songs, some are w/motions, some are just a 3x5 card taped to the dashboard.
I'm a visual learner so I need to see it. My family just needs the consistency of reading it, saying it and writing it. The simplicity is what makes us do it consistently and that's what's most important to me.
I love this post! It's so helpful! Thanks Amanda!
Shalane
Our church ahs a memory verse program starting at age 2. yes they do learn them then. They grow from there up to grade 5. 52 verses in 5 years. if they learn them they get ribbons and a small book etc depends on the grade etc. Kids who know all verses from age 2 and up to grade 5 and can repeat them get a trophy. learn 6 verses a year the higher grades. Also the ones that know verses for that year and can repeat them without flaw incuding reference get invited to a swim party that summer. LOTss of incentive. We printed out a book with the scriptures in them too. Also have made a tape with them to music which also helps. We also have what is called Bible Bucks if they learn verses, bring bibles. incentives work. have to find out what works with your kids. our one club teacher used candy if they learn their verse and can recite it. God's word is sweet.
just some ideas.
as for marking bibles I use colored pencils as they do not seem to bleed as bad
The AWANA program has worked for us! It is amazing how much scripture my six year old knows...and I get to learn it right alongside her.
We are blessed to have a wonderful program called Bible Quizzing in Michigan. This year they are memorizing most of the book of Luke. Yes, I said the book of Luke. I always play the chapters they need to memorize when we are in the car. I didn't realize how much my 4 year old was learning too, until she shouted out a verse during a quiz. A quiz is a competition with 3 teams of 3 kids. Questions come directly from scripture. Anyway, I would suggest the Bible on CD or Hide 'em in your Heart. If you are interested in Bible Quizzing you can check out the World Bible Quizzing web site at wbqa.org.
Cindy in MI
Someone asked about Bible Markers... I use the crayola twistables (thin version). They don't tear the page like some colored pencils do and they don't bleed through.
As for scripture memory for 5th graders? When I was in fifth grade we played games. My favorite was when the leader would yell out a word and we would have to recite a verse using that word (with reference).
my children always loved it when i made up a song to the verses.
Hi, Amanda! My daughter Allie is about the same age as Jackson. She's 31 mos. right now. We started Awana early since I'm a leader and she's great at memorizing and I wanted to feed that even more. When I was talking to a very wise older friend who is like a second mother to me about potty training frustrations, she mentioned how she used the time sitting on the potty waiting for something to happen to teach Bible verses to her son. It sparked something in me and while we still haven't mastered potty training 6 mos later, she does know quite a few memory verses and can still recite them all if you give her the first word. We were using the Foundation pack verses from childrendesiringgod.org (John Piper's ministry) before Awana started. Very inexpensive and a great tool with a picture to go with each verse too.
I've really been pressed upon in the last few days with remembering that it's NOT just a task to be completed and checked off. It should be a way to pass down my passion and excitement about God to her, and if that's real in me, she'll see it and learn it too. God help me, please! I pray for her heart to fall in love with Him! So I was so tickled pink just two days ago when she started shouting at lunch, "God! God! I yuv (love) God! I yuv Him!" Praise the Lord! She heard me retell that to her Daddy when he came home and Grandma and....you get the idea!
Find something that works for your child/class and let them see your passion and excitement for God !
I recommend bible verses set to music. My girls loved the Steve Green Hide 'Em In Your Heart CD's (they were only on cassette when mine were young!) My now 18 and 20 year old girls still cringe, then crack up and join in when I break into singing...'Do everything without complaining'
My daughter-in-law uses driving time to and from school or short trips to grocery or Wal Mart for scripture memory work. It works great and is so refreshing to hear our 6 and 4 yr old grands receiting scripture! I can truly say that the verses I learned "many" years ago in Bible School and at home as a child are the very ones I still remember today. As I get older, it is harder to memorize anything, so starting them young is a "treasure" we MUST hold dear and practice daily!
Sharron
Hartselle, Al.
Our children's church curriculm adds some sort of action or pose with the words in the verse. "Be Strong in the Lord".. has the kids flexing their muscles and then pointing to heaven.
Growing up my sister and I listened to a LOT of Bible Scripture cassette tapes (Psalty, GT and the Halo Express, and one with Sandi Patty and all lots of the love verses in the Bible, etc). Also when my sister and I were in the AWANA program and were memorizing scripture, my mom would help us out by writing out the scripture and placing drawings in it for the words that could be in Picture-form. It worked well!
To help 5th graders learn memory verses and bring their Bibles to class, ask THEM what incentives and rewards should be given to those who do. Make a list with them, and they'll be more inclined to meet the goals ya'll set together because they had a part in it. Also, when I taught 5th graders in S.S. for a year several years ago, they loved crossword puzzles, word searches, and fill-in-the-blanks. These can help them learn their verses, too.
How about offering a "date" with YOU as the reward for the ones who do XYZ within a period of time?
With my children we play a game where I'll say most of the verse but leave one word out so my children can fill in the blank. Example: "I can do all things through Christ who ________ me". They would say "strengthens".I do it so often and with so many verses throughout their lives that they've learned a lot. I have also done this with my Sunday school classes. All the children seem very eager to fill in the blank. It's like a race to get it out of their mouths fast enough. Some kids say the right thing and others miss but then I'll do it again unexpecedly throughout class. By the end of class they would all have it memorized.
For those asking for a pen that does not mark through the page in your Bibles, the new Sharpie pens, not markers but pens work great. I have them in Black, Blue, Red and Green. For marking Scripture they are great. The highlighters I use that do not bleed are also the Sharpie brand. They are called Accent highlighters. They have a fine tip set for writing underlining or a broad tapered tip set for underlining and highlighting.
They work well. A set of five highlighters in yellow, green orange, pink and blue is about $6-7 at the office supply, and the pens are between $5-6 at the office supply.
They last about 3-4 months with continuous use.
Blessings
I sing the scripture verse to a very silly made up tune. I dance to the tune too. (Yep, we do all sorts of crazy things as moms don't we?) The kids really get into the beat and dance. Later when I ask them the verse and they need a hint all I need to do is hum the tune and they usually can get it right away.
Kari
Washington State
Our kids are in Awana and so we are needing to learn verses every week. This year we are trying something different and it is working awesome! They go to bed at 8:00 and then we allow them to work on their memory verses (while in bed) for about 10 minutes before they turn out the lights. They love it because it extends lights out and I love it because it is the last thing on their minds at night!! When we tuck them in we quiz them on their verses too.
Hi Amanda,
I am a 5th/6th grade Director on staff at our church, and have been for 5 years, worked with this age group for 7 years. You are half way through your 5th grade year and this age group will change after Christmas and start to act more like young Jr Highers.... bribery at this stage, at least what I have found, no longer works, this is the age kids start to think why am I doing this what purpose does it serve me... I have found that when you make the Bible and Scripture personal, and relational... meaning how on earth does it apply to them on their level, and the leaders in your group must be personal and relational as well with the kids, then they begin to do it on their own.
This age is truly trying to decide if they think church is worth it or not, or if scripture means anything to them personally or not. But, everything has to relate to them and what they are going through. In the age of Video game madness and how much they have already been esposed to, kids this age can see right throgh you and dont want to have any part of you treating them as if they were still in 4th grade....
I have loads of resources for this age group and worked directly under the man and wife pastoral team that wrote the book on "Pre-Teen" Ministry... and I love to share.
you are welcome to email me directly mary@mission68.org if you have any more questions...
Mary
It seems your issue with the fifth graders is a parenting issue as much as anything else. Perhaps a postcard or an e-mail to the parents earlier in the week reminding them to have their children bring their Bibles will be helpful. Sadly, even with fifth graders, many parents take so much responsibility away from their children, they are older now when they begin to develop it. (That topic is a post on its own!)Reminding the parents makes them as responsible as the child, which will hopefully get the child in the habit. The game ideas are great, and by incorporating the verses from previous weeks, it will develop more memory of the scriptures.
I found teaching Sunday School, that kids need a reminder during the week. We get caught up in school, sports, and activities that sometimes they don't even think of it until Sunday Morning. So, a card or note during the week helped. Also, if you are none musical like me, and sometimes 5th graders are embarrassed to sing, try making it a rap, or doing the verse to one of those 'hand clap slap' beats that especially girls like to do.
Amanda,
What an AWESOME post! I love, love, love reading all the helpful tips!
I agree that Scripture to music is a great tool. I liked your bathtub idea, too! I also like to go over Scripture verses in the car for the same exact reason (the monkeys are contained!) Also, bedtime (during snuggling, stories, etc.) is a good time to go over verses. For whatever reason, that time of day-when everything slows down and they are more quiet and focused-is a good time to have them memorize something! Things stick more (with my kids, anyway!)
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Have a blessed day!
In Him,
Kristen
OOoo, I have to use these tips for my nephews and niece, and maybe, if the Lord so blesses and gifts me-my children:)
Lovin' my Sisteren-Siestaville:)
katiegfromtennessee
I didn't have time to read through all the other comments, so I don't know if someone suggested this. This summer we used hand gestures to help our pre-k children and I was impressed how the kids were able to remember the next day...and when they did get stuck, we would gesture and then they would remember. One that I thought was impressive was Ps. 90:2 "...from everlasting to everlasting You are God." We had them bring their one hand up like a rainbow from their belly and land palm side up to the right and then the other up to the left for everlasting and then point up for the You are God part. I was shocked the next day when we would just simply start the motion and could see the light come on and they would shout "everlasting." Sometimes it's tricky to come up with the gesture, but God is faithful and typically comes up with something.
I did a post about this a few weeks ago. My daughter is the same age as your son. I had a lot of input on products that people bought, CD's and books. now my assignment is to be diligent to use them.
Adventures of Pip and Squeak: Scripture memory additions
Adventures of Pip and Squeak: Scripture memory update
Amanda.... I just wanted to toss out an easy Bible Study for the holiday season... It starts on Nov 1.... it's called "Preparing My Heart for Advent" by Ann MArie Stewart... It is a study every day throught the month of November and then a parallel devotion through the month of December. I finished my first day in about 20 minutes and you can do by yourself or with a group...no video.... Thanks hope someone enjoys it!! Stephanie S
i didn't read all of the comments, so please forgive me if someone already said this, but there's a book called ABC Bible Verses - Hiding God's Word in Little Hearts by: Susan Hunt. i have done them with my little girl. she turned 3 at the beginning of september and has already memorized 6 verses. she KNOWS them too! they have stories that go along with the verses, so it helps to apply the verse. also, i've been reading Don't Make Me COunt To Three by: ginger plowman, and it basically emphasizes training their hearts. it's "a mom's look at heart-oriented discipline", and it has been wonderful for me and my daughter. trust me, i say these verses over and over to her, and she knows them. one more thing, when i was younger, i thought it was so fun to find the verses that i would hear in songs, so the 5th grade ss teacher could have kids listen to a certain praise song, and then have the kids find the verse(s) in the bible...kind of like a game, and then since it's music, it will be easier to memorize...just a thought.
i can't agree more with nikki though, we have to instill a love, reverance and awe for God's word, which means we must talk about it ALL the time.
I know God will bless us and our kids for it!!
mariana
houston, tx
We sing them - and I use familiar tunes so we don't have to memorize that, too. I found the alphabet verses from Abeka at the homeschool store for a $1! We have been on this project with my 6 and 4 year old girls and sing them as we eat breakfast. I think my 1 yr old is catching on, too. Jenni in Houston
Moore girls!
I was reading back over past blogs and was wondering if Mary Byrne Smith was ever found. I don't remember an update of her being found.
Janet
My kids and I love the "God Rocks Bible Toons" CDs. They are scripture verses from the NIV version (they are also a cartoon series on Saturday mornings. I am memorizing them right along with my kids!
Amanda - try asking them to sing the verses to you in their favorite tune to show off their God given music talents for Jesus.......and may the best song get a huge chocolate!
Beth Morton = KINGS CHILD, North Carolina
I'm sorry if this is a repeat...I didn't have time to read through all 168 answers! My idea might not be the best for use with a Sunday School class, but for our family's personal scripture memorization, we have what we call a "dinner verse". I write a verse on an index card, and it stays on our dining room table all the time. Every night when we sit down for dinner (you could do it at breakfast too, but we don't all eat breakfast together) we say the "family dinner verse" together before we eat. When we are starting a new verse, we take time to talk about the verse and explain what it means. This has worked really well for my kids (5 and 8), plus it gets mom and dad in on it too.
I enjoy putting the scripture to tunes my girls already know. Check out some of them on my blog if you get a chance. I love to hear them singing the verses and I learn them right along with them.
http://www.amazingadventuresawait.com/2008/10/works-for-me.html
Our youth minister is having the same issue with trying to get the kids to bring their bible to church. He made a great point by saying that they wouldn't go to school without their textbooks, so why come to church without your bible?! Also, monthly, or quarterly meetings with the parents helps. Let them know your goals and that scripture memorization is VERY important, especially with these preteens. (they have huge issues they will be facing.)
hey y'all I was wondering if you could do a post to see if any siestas are going to New Orleans for the Breaking Free taping.
For myself I get out paper and write a verse over and over and over. Then when I can say it out loud without looking I add the next verse and write both of them over and over. Kind of like writing sentences in school. With my child we keep verses at the table and we read them before we eat and etc. I also am a huge fan of index cards (for me).
For example with Morgan we have gates all around the house because if she roams free much the child will destroy the house. So when she starts wanting in the kitchen she will swing on the gate and I will tell her these verses every time to use something tangible to teach her a scripture (since it refers to gates):
Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Selah
Yolanda, I have used a mechanic type pencil that has 8 colored leads in it. You advance the color you need. I think it is made by Pentel. It does not bleed through since it is not wet. Hope you can find it. Try Kay Arthur's web site or amazon.
Man I typed this long, detailed comment then I messed it up somehow, so here I go again.
To sum up, memorization is only part of the process. Often, if we are not careful to get these verses deep within our spirits, we'll forget them along the way. I know I have.
The song thing sounds great for little ones. I know it works for learning the books of the bible, and this stuff even helps me... ha!
But, you can't exactly teach someone how to get His word in their heart, especially a little one, let alone a teen or tween.
I am still learning and hope to do better in that category!!
Thanks for the forum ladies,
Ginger
Amanda,Mellisa, and Beth, have an urgent prayer request for you about my little brother, i ask that you all pray and all are fellow siestas pray! Here it is....
PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!!!!!
As some of you know my brother and his girlfriend are pregnant! but sadly it has taken an awful turn! my sister wrote this.....
"Many of you know my little brother Will (18) and his girlfriend Grace (17) are pregnant. Unfortunately, she comes from a non-christian background, and has tremendous pressure from her family to get an abortion. My brother is in so much pain over this. He desperately wants to save the baby's life, and raise him or her, but Grace refuses to take his opinions into consideration. She has waivered back an forth on her thought the past few weeks, but Friday her mother took her to planned parenthood and Grace has decided to get the abortion. She has an appointment set for this coming Friday. I met with her Thursday for 3 hours and tried my best to convince her otherwise. As of then, she said she wanted to keep the baby. But, her mother has too strong of a voice, and had an abortion herself. She is trying her best to protect Grace, but cannot see the severe consequences about to take place. Not only this, but my brother and I are the only pro-life voices Grace hears. As of yesterday, her step dad confronted my brother and threatened to sue me on the grounds of harassment if I contacted Grace again and put "more of those thoughts" in her head. He also threatened my brother as well. Because my brother is 18, and Grace is a minor, he is susceptible to legal ramifications should the parents decide to press charges. Needless to say, Grace needs all our prayers. I know deep inside her she longs to keep the baby. She shared her heart with me, yet has no courage to stand up against her family. Her parents refuse to let her have an ultrasound before the abortion. I asked if she would go with me this week, and she says she doesn't want to "see it". Grace knows there is a life inside her, but with no relationship with the Lord, and a family so adamant about this abortion, that little life is hanging by a thread. Grace needs courage, conviction, and most importantly to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit. We need a miracle. Please pray for Grace, the baby and my brother this week. I will let everyone know what happens Friday. PRAY HARD! Thanks for your support!"
For older kids and adults; have them write down the first letter of the word ex. fGsltwtHgHobS (for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son). Use correct puncutation and let them "cheat" with the letters until they can say it without. A great way to memorize lengthy scriptures! In a Sunday school class you could even have the letters on a board, erase as you repeat.
I like the cd's you can get from any bible/book store that is full of scriptures set to music with kids singing them. My three year old only wants to listen to that when we are in the car, and learned some of them in only a week! Since it is set to music, I am memorizing them too! I suggest these for any age person!!!
I teach 3 & 4 yr olds on Wednesday nights in AWANAs.
I get the kids to say the verses over an over again doing different things such as shouting it, whispering, standing on one foot, touching their toes, etc. I also learned out of exasperation one night while working with a little one to use hand motions while saying the verse. This little one really lit up after we began doing hand motions with the words to the verses. I also do this with my son who is 6 and he seems to like the hand motions as well. We also put verses to some kind of tune and it seems to help them remember the verses, too!
Hello Sweet Amanda!
Your friends, Catha & Crista, learned a lot of scripture with Psalty praise songs with music. We always said we could teach Crista anything if we put it to music...she could learn the words immediately. I'm hoping we can teach Parker the same way.
i didn't have time to read thru the comments and these may have already been mentioned...anyway, just in case.
Put motions to the key words in the verse, sign language or other. And singing the words works for some. As for bringing the bible to class...try this.
Get some party poppers (works with older kids better, younger kids got startled) and let them, if they brought their bible, put one inside where your verse for the day is located. Close the bible! When you talk about how powerful the Word is, then let them pull the string. (We had to add length to the strings so that they would hang out of the bottom of the bible.)
My prayer for our kids was for them to grasp in the spirit the excitement they were experiencing in the physical.
Yeah, go God!
www.hizkiz.blogspot.com
Amanda, get the parents involved if possible. My 10 yr old granddaughter recited 5 last night at Awanas. She loves quoting scripture to me. She also likes to ask what MY scripture memory verse is. We quote scripture driving down the road, at the dinner table and my favorite, we sing them. We make up tunes to Bible verses.
Have an abundant day in Christ!
My husband taught our 4/5th grade Bible study class for years. He threatened push ups for his kids, and as crazy as it sounds, they loved it!
Not many forgot their Bibles either!!
Hi -
This doesn't technically fit with this post, but I thought you ladies might like to check out this blog: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/11/seven-prayers-day.html
It seems like such a beautiful thing to do and ties in with the importance of writing out Scripture prayers on index cards.
(The rest of this blog is amazing, too!)
My daughter is so great at this. She teaches her boys verses using actions. Sometimes her imagination is stretched ie: "...in all Thy ways ACK-knowledge Him (Palms up fingers splayed for ACK)
The boys have learned so many verses this way - they are now 4 and 6. Putting the verses to a tune also works well. Kyle (4 years old) phoned me up and sang his verse to me yesterday to the tune of Frere Jaques.
When my twin boys, Ben and Jacob were 2 (they are now 9 and we have a 2 year old daughter, Brady Grace) We began a once a year family verse for every year of their lives (with hand motions and easy to remember language). We want them learning much scripture, but have picked one per year to cement into their thinking for use in any emergency! Teaching them with words they can use, apply, and run to! We begin praying and talking about what God will show us for the next year, and it's such a wonderful family tradition! Our verses so far include: 1. Hebrews 13:8-Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and yes forever 2. Phil 4:13-I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me 3. Deut 6:5 -Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might 4. John 15:5 -apart from Jesus you can do nothing 5. Hebrews 11:6 - without faith you can't please God 6. Romans 10:17- faith comes from hearing the word of God 7. John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me 8. 1 Cor 10:31-32 - Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God; Do not cause any of these little ones to stumble 9. Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths! We can't wait to see what HE shows us for year 10! In Christ, Lisa Hardman Prattville, Al
I don't know if this has been posted yet, but I found a great method at summer camp with my elementary-school aged daughters last year. The leader made a poster with sticky notes attached. Each sticky note had a single word from a scripture passage. The kids all read the verse together a few times, then the leader turned around and removed a couple of sticky notes. Then the kids had to read the verse again including the words that were removed. She continued that, removing one or two each time, and finally there was a blank poster, but the kids could still recite the entire verse. I won't say that every child memorized the whole thing, but each was at least very familiar with that passage! I was impressed at how well it worked.
Carol in Georgia
For the memoriztion, try writing each word of the verse on a sepearate card. You can all work together to get it in the right order. THEN one at a time, take words out. Each time you remove 1 word, say then ENTIRE thing out loud. Then take out another one! The kids like the challenge of trying to remember the missing word, and from my experience, they "fight" over which word would be the hardest to remove! After they get the hang of it you can take out 2 or 3 words at a time. By the time you're done, you've probably said the verse at least 8-10 times.
For bringing Bibles to church--I know we always did "Sword Drills" when I grew up, and I've done them successfully with kids recently. Everyone has to start with their Bible closed. Then you call out a scripture reference, and the first one who finds it wins, or gets a point, however you want to do it. You could do best out of 5 or 10 or however you have time for. Maybe it could be a monthly competition or something. They love the competition, and if only the kids who bring their Bibles can play, maybe it would get more of them to bring them. Just some thoughts. :)
My 5 year old and I have always made up a little song for his verses. Even if we don't use notes, we will just develop a rhythm with the words. He loves it and retains some verses that he learned two years ago!
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