Should We Encourage Our Kids To Memorize The Bible?

They soak up everything. As children, they’re trying to figure out this big world around them. They try to understand it by watching and listening everyone and everything. Whether you are intending for your children to be learning something or not, the truth is they ALWAYS ARE. They will pick up the music on the radio, the lines from a movie you’re watching, the attitude you have towards your wife or husband… They’re always learning. This is the time to be intentional and fill their little minds rock solid truth.

Did you know that the most foundational time for a child’s brain is from birth to three years old? During this time, their brains are developing and hard wiring. Which means… it’s the PERFECT time to teach them bible verses. It may just be words they are memorizing now, but as they grow it will become rock solid truth they use to help them make decisions, face big situations, and understand who God is.

There has always been controversy around memorization. I’ve been one of the parents to think, “Why are you making my kids memorize things they don’t understand.” As my kids get older, I’m seeing the benefits of it!

We have been working on memorizing bible verses and catechisms with our children for a few years now. We’ve talked about what they mean to our kids, but at their ages were only able to grasp a small surface meaning of them. As they grow and continue to keep it locked in their brains, they’re starting to unpack it a little more each day. They start to ask questions and try to figure out what God is saying in the verses.

Out of everything your children could be filling their heads with, the bible should definitely be what you choose. By encouraging your children to memorize you’re encouraging them seek after God, start building their theological foundation, and have foundational truths to stand on during every season of their lives.

Today, I encourage you to start memorizing the bible as a family. Choose one verse a week and go for it. Make it fun for your kids. There are so many ways to help your kids memorize the bible.

1. Pick up some CD’s for the car.  When you add some music to the verse, you’ll find your whole family singing it around the house!

2. Set up a reward system. Go to the dollar store and pick up some poster board. Create a column for everyone participating and columns next to it for the verses. Every time your kids memorize a verse, put up a sticker. Make a HUGE deal about it and encourage them for working hard. Once they get a set amount or verses or the whole family memorizes their verse, give them something special. You can take them out for ice cream, go to the park, let them choose a prize, etc. Once they start to memorize more frequently you can have them earn something for x amount of verses memorized.

3. Add in sign language! Kids are physical, hands on learners. Teach them their verse by getting them moving. There are so many websites out there that teach sign language and it would be a fun thing to learn as a family!

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 145:9 -The LORD is good to all.

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!