Instill a Love for the Bible Through Scripture Memorization
My grandfather once said the Bible is the most interesting book you’ll ever read. Wow, is that an understatement! Every time I open my Bible and read a Scripture I ‘m blown away by how much I learn and how it relates to my everyday life. I own a few different Bibles. My grandmother’s Bible which I cherish and is always close by, my Bible that is filled with notes and highlights, and an old Bible from my grandmother that she used to teach me when I was younger about stories of the Bible. The last is my favorite. Looking at it invokes wonderful warm memories of lying in bed with my gram reading to me and asking me the questions located at the end of the story. When she passed away, I asked my mother if I could have that bible so I’d be able to carry on that lovely legacy. She gladly agreed. I feel so blessed to share this gift with Anya.
A spiritual education is crucial to our children in a world where spiritual warfare is never far off. Our children should pick up the Bible just as quickly as they snatch their favorite book off the shelf. A love for the Bible is a gift that enriches their life in the present and in the future. One way to encourage your children to read the Bible is through Scripture memorization. The key is not to just memorize, but to digest the Scriptures and apply it to their life.
Here are a few tips on how to begin Scripture Memorization:
Decide The Scripture to Memorize
There are a few ways your family can determine which Scriptures to memorize:
- Each week assign a family member the job of choosing a Scripture to memorize. Depending on your child’s age you may have to choose it. But, if your kids are old enough have them choose the verse.
- Pick a specific book from the Bible and concentrate on those Scriptures.
- Pick a theme for the month. For example, one month you may want to memorize verses on obedience. This is where you do your homework and choose scriptures on obedience for the family.
How Many Scriptures Do You Memorize
The number of verses you memorize is a decision the whole family should make together. You may want to start off with one a week. I think memorizing one a week gives the family ample time to not only memorize the verse but to really ponder upon it and apply it to daily life. It also depends on the age of your children.
Practical Ways to Memorize the Verses
Write the Scripture on a bulletin board or a hanging chalkboard in a communal area so everyone sees it when they walk past. Give an index card to each family member with the Scripture to carry with them so that it is convenient. During meal time the family can say the verse before you eat and after the prayer.
Discuss the Scriptures
Anyone can memorize a few lines. I was a great test taker in school because I had an easy time memorizing the material. But the question is what have you learned? We don’t want our kids to look at Scripture memorization as just another chore or have them rush through without giving any thought to the meaning of the words they are memorizing. Be intentional when you plan on discussing the verses. Schedule a time to talk together as a family and give each family member a chance to discuss how they interpret the verses. Discuss the verses during unscheduled time also! Real life application is the best teacher. If the chance arises utilize it!
Lastly, be sure to use examples of how their everyday experience may correlate to the Scriptures they’re studying. Point out how each time you read a verse, read it like it is the first time and they’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much they’ll discover in that Scripture. The Bible is the most significant book your children will ever read. Be proactive in developing good habits that will positively affect their spiritual growth and instill a love for the Bible.
Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved