Memorizing Scripture with your Child- WARNING!

As you work on memorizing God's Word, there is something very dangerous you need to be aware of.

Beware of pride (both parent and child)!  

1 Corinthians 8:1 is very clear: "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." 

God wants us to use His Word to build one another up in the Lord.  It is not to be used for us to show off how much we know, or to cut someone else down and "put them in their place".  These things are done to promote self.  Make sure that your child understands that God sees this as sin.  Knowing a lot of Bible verses does not make someone spiritual- Satan is able to quote Scripture too.

One reason we memorize God's Word is to be able to share it with others. Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another..."  When the Lord Jesus spoke, His words of truth were always tempered by grace. And that's how we should speak His words to others as well- lovingly, graciously, and prayerfully.  We must teach our children to do the same.  They will follow the example we set.

Our children should understand what a privilege it is to have God’s Word and the ability to memorize it.  It is a most precious gift that God has given us because He loves us and wants us to know Him.  Encourage your child to be thankful for the Word and to let God use it to do His work in their heart.  

Do remember as you work with your child to help them learn God's Word that you are making an eternal investment in their lives.  Help them heap up the treasure of God's Word in their heart.  It will be of great benefit and blessing to them in this life, as well as for eternity.  

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

-Matthew 6:21

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 5

In order for your child to really tuck God’s Word away in their heart, they will need to regularly practice the verses they are learning.  It is most helpful if they have a consistent time each day set aside to work on their memory verses. 

Children have different learning styles. The main learning styles I was introduced to when I took education classes in college were: Visual (learning by seeing), Auditory (learning by hearing), and Kinesthetic (learning by movement).  If you understand the way that your child learns best, you can work with them on practicing their memory verse using that particular learning style.  Most children learn using a mixture of these styles. 

The added bonus: as you help your child learn Bible verses, you are learning them too!

For the visual learner:

• They can write out the verse on an index card and read it aloud several times.  This lets them see a picture of the words in their mind. 
• You can have your child draw a picture or series of pictures that illustrate the verse. 

Here is an example of Proverbs 6:16-19 that my kids illustrated on flashcards several years ago.  I would hold up the flashcards as they said the verses.  The words are written on the back of the index cards so that I could make sure they were saying it word perfect.

Proverbs 6:16-19:

"These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue (this tongue is saying "I didn't do it" but in my mind, "I did."), hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies.  And one who sows discord among brethren."

For the auditory learner:

•   You say a section of the verse.  Have your child listen, and then repeat it after you.  Go through the verse section by section.  Then increase the length of what you say and have them repeat until they can say the entire verse on their own.
• Put the words of the verse to music.  Then sing it throughout the day.  If you do this, be sure to include the reference in the song as well.

     If you don't know a song that goes with the verse, just put the words to a tune you already know.     

     For example:  Sing Ephesians 2:8-9 to "If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands".  

     For by grace you have been saved through faith, (Clap, Clap)

     And that not of yourselves; (Clap, Clap)

     It is the gift of God, not of works,

     Lest anyone should boast. (Clap, Clap)

     (Then add on the end:) Ephesians 2:8 and 9 (Clap, Clap)

     For the kinesthetic learner:

•            Say the verse using appropriate hand motions- ones that give you a clue about the word each motion goes with.  Again, at the end, put your hands together and then open them up like a little book while saying the verse’s reference.
•      Do different forms of exercise while saying the verse to the rhythm of the exercise.  Do jumping jacks, march in place, touch your toes, jump rope.

These are just a few simple ideas.  I would love to hear what other things you have done that your children have benefitted from.  

"Your Word I have hidden in my heart..."

-Psalm 119:11a

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 4

We have looked at the why, when, and where of memorizing verses.  Now let’s talk about the HOW. 

When working with your child on a new verse, the first thing I recommend is to have them get their Bible and look it up.  They need to understand that what they’re learning is God’s Word.  Read the verse together right from the Bible.

 

Next, explain what the verse means.  Define any words that your child may not understand, and then talk about the meaning of the verse as a whole.

Also, discuss how this verse applies to them personally. 

You can use the following questions to help with application.  I’ve included some sample verses that would fall into each category.

• ·         Does this verse teach something about God’s character? (Genesis 1:1- God is the creator of all things.)
• ·         Does this verse teach something about how God views me? (Romans 3:23- I have sinned.)                                                                                     
• ·         Is this a promise that I can make my own? (John 3:15- I do believe in the Lord Jesus as my Saviour- God says that I have eternal life.)
• ·         Is this a command I need to obey? (Ephesians 6:1- God says that I should obey my parents.)
• ·         Is this a warning of something I should avoid? (Proverbs 28:13- God says if I try to cover up my sin, things will not go well for me.)
• ·         Is this an example for me to follow? (John 9:38- This man believed on the Lord Jesus and worshipped Him.)
• ·         Is this a prayer/request that I can make my own? (Psalm 19:14- Lord, please help me to have thoughts and words that are pleasing to You.)

The goal is not to turn your child into a verse-saying

parrot, repeating a string of words that have no meaning; it is for your child to understand and be able to apply God’s Word to their life situations.

These are the mechanics of actually teaching the verse.  Next time, we'll look at some ideas for ways you can practice the verse with your child to help them remember what it says.

So Philip ran to him…and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

And he said, “How can I unless someone guides me?”

-Acts 8:30-31

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 3

Our family is very busy- when am I supposed to add this in? 

I know that time is a very valuable commodity in each of our homes, but I also know that we all want our children to understand the value of God’s Word and of having it hidden in their hearts.  You can help your son or daughter determine when would be a good time in their schedule (or your schedule, if your child does not yet read) to set aside a few minutes each day to work on memorizing verses. 

When I homeschooled my children, I made memory verse practice part of our school day.  We would open the day in prayer, then have verse time.  When my kids started going to a small Christian school, I would have them write out their memory verse on an index card which we kept in the van and they would practice it on the drive to school each morning.  You could also do this if your child is involved in any type of extracurricular activity that you have to transport them to. For the children in my Sunday school class who attended public school, I put their memory verses on small cards, punched a hole in the corner, and put it on a key ring they could clip to their backpack.  I encouraged them to use their bus ride to school as a time to practice their verses.  They could even ask a friend to listen to them and see if they were getting it right.  Verse memorization can also be incorporated into your family devotion time. 

No matter what age your child is, you can help them develop the habit of making room in their day for the things that are the most important- the things of God.  

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

-Deuteronomy 6:7

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 2

Is learning the verse’s reference that important?

It is true that the reference (where the verse lives in the Bible) is not part of the inspired Word of God.  But when I teach children a memory verse, I do emphasize having them say the reference along with the verse so that they are able to find it on their own in their own Bible.  I want them to know where the verse is so that they can share it with others with confidence (and, of course, with grace- Colossians 4:6).  I ask them, “What would you do if you were sharing the gospel with a friend and they said, ‘You’re just making that up.  I don’t believe that the Bible really says that.’?”  If they know the reference, they can turn to it in the Bible and have their friend read it for himself.  For older children, knowing the verse’s reference also helps them be more aware of the verse’s context- the passage that surrounds it and where it falls within the whole of Scripture.  

"I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word."

-Psalm 119:16

Memorizing Scripture with your Child: part 1

What is the value of my taking time consistently to help my child memorize God’s Word?

Let me ask you a question- “Do you want your child to be saved and then go on well for God?”  Memorizing God’s Word is a key component in seeing these things become a reality. 

First of all, Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  The Spirit of God has promised to use the Word of God to convict people of their sin, give them a true understanding of who Christ is and the work He has done, and bring them to salvation.  Our explanations and illustrations may be helpful, but they can never pierce a heart like the living and powerful Word of God can.

Secondly, Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  As a believer, God’s Word helps us to live a life that pleases Him.  You will not always be with your child to give them instruction as to how to respond in a given situation.  But if they have been grounded in the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will bring those truths to their remembrance and help them make the choice that would honor the Lord.

If you have helped your children memorize God's Word, it is tucked away in their hearts for eternity.  It is available for the Spirit of God to use for His purposes in their lives today.  It is something that no one can ever take from them, and that they themselves can never run away from.  However much time you spend helping them memorize Scripture, you can know that it is NEVER time that has been wasted.