Preschoolers and Peace - Scripture Memory

Scripture Memory • Jun. 26, 2006

When our oldest son was four, I set out to teach him as many Bible verses as we could muster. He was a quick study (aren't they amazing?) and soon had put 35 verses to memory.

Recently I realized I hadn't worked nearly as hard with the other children on memorizing Scripture. And as I was reorganizing our memory-work box, I came across the little homemade cards we'd used with our firstborn. Really, nothing special or fancy but they worked. And so I made everyone else their own "Ten Verses" cards and we set to work. Upon completion of each verse, they get a sticker next to the reference. Even the 11-year-old still loves this.

The added benefit, of course, is that I get all of those verses written on my heart as well.

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Sharing Thoughts

question... - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by ReneeM

wondering if you are "strict" about learning the references. This is the hardest part for keenan... me too quite frankly!... and we get bogged down trying to get the references just right...

SO what is the purpose of memorizing scripture? to take you to the place in the Bible or to hide God's word in your heart?

I think my thoughts have come to the conclusion, that as long as he knows the Bible verse, we can move on to the next one, and as we review all the previous ones, maybe some of the references will stick, at least the book it came from anyway. Your thoughts?

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the book of James - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by Bahamahomeschooler

Hey girl,
I love the beach picture of your little sweetie. I really liked the memory file idea for my 3 year old. The girls (8 and 7) have taken up a challenge this year. We are going to memorize the book of James. The girls will have no problem but mom and dad is another story. We told them that we would learn it with them. So the challenge is on. Have a great day.

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Untitled Comment - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by Happyhome

That's a great idea. We memorized many verses over the last year, but this would be a great way to review them this summer and give the kids an extra sense of accomplishment. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,

Angela

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Stickers cause fewer cavities ;-) - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by Corin

Thank you for the reminder! We need to be more diligent in our memorization as well! Our guys have been able to memorize things quickly with candy corn.

I hold 2 pieces of candy, within sight, and have them repeat after me 1 or 2 words at a time, several times a day. After the entire verse is said, they get the candy. The next day I lump more words together at a time, then more, then more. Eventually they'd much rather say the entire thing on their own (and get their candy faster!) and can say their verse together as well as individually! I knew it was time for a new verse when they'd come to me, say their verse (without my asking) and then hold out their hands ;-)

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References - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by PreschoolersandPeace

My mom was a stickler about references, too, but now that you mention it I wonder about the importance of references.

If the child memorizes things easily, it isn't even a question- they should memorize them. If, however, the child (and mom) struggles with memorizing the references but knows the passage well, then I don't know how much one should push to commit them to memory. I guess if it kills the joy of memorizing and would turn the memory time into drudgery, then I certainly would feel the freedom to stress the verse and not the reference.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

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Untitled Comment - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by opheliag

We are memorizing a verse for each letter of the alphabet as we learn our letters. My son thinks that this is fun! I remember doing this in kindergarten, and I still remember a lot of the verses that I learned back then.

My son was in AWANA Cubbies this past year. Since he was five, he had to memorize the references. I used it as a chance to help him start finding verses in the Bible. We would find the verse in my Bible using the reference. I do think, though, that hiding God's Word in our hearts is the most important thing.

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Memorize the references.... - Jun. 26, 2006

Shared by GenesisFamily

My opinion would be to memorize the references, I memorized a ton of verses as a child, but I did not always know the references. As an adult, sometimes a verse will come to mind, but not the whole verse and I can't remember the reference either. So then I end up doing a internet search to find the verse instead of just picking up my bible and finding it. Also, when speaking to others about Christ, I find it is always better to say, "Well the Bible says in Isaiah 53:5-6 'But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities...." Then people know that you are actually quoting the bible and not just giving them a word of wisdom, or a chinese proverb or something like that. I read somewhere that if your child can sing songs, quote movies, or tv shows from memory then they are completely capable of memorizing 3 to 5 bible verses a week (with ref). I think it just depends on making it your priority. Last year I worked very hard with my kids on memorizing. I usually picked verses that had to do with behavior, so that when we had to discipline them they understood the verses I was using when explaining to them why their behavior was wrong. For example, one of my favorites...Phi 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning. My four year old was able to memorize all of Psalm 91 and my two year old memorized the first four verses. They still remember it and it has been over a year. Well this is turning into a very long comment...thanks Kendra for bringing this up. I slacked off in this area the past few months and need to make it my priority again!
Toni

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wonderful idea - Jun. 28, 2006

Shared by lonestaracademy

thank you for sharing this simple yet effective way to help the kiddos learn scripture.

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Untitled Comment - Jun. 28, 2006

Shared by ReneeM

my son memorizes quickly, but the reference thing totally throws him... SO everytime we learn a new verse, I group it with the others in that book of the bible... and we are still attempting to get him to memorize them (we review them each day.) For us, I think I have decided God's Word in his heart, and an enjoyment and feeling of success is more important than the reference. So we'll balance it out that way.

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