As a mom, we have the privilege and honor of not only raising our children but training them up in the way that they should go, spiritually. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” As you and I teach our children the word of God, when they are older, that word will always be within them. But how do we actually train them or instill the word in them? Well, in this article, I want to share a few practical ways on how to memorize Bible verses with your child or children that will help the verses stick with them forever.
For starters, the Bible is our roadmap for life as born-again believers. It’s our spiritual navigational system for wise guidance. And just like reading a physical map or allowing the GPS to lead us to our destination for the very first time, the next time we drive to that location, we’ll have a sense of direction because we remember how to get there. It’s the same way with memorizing scripture. The Holy Spirit will lead us to a particular verse for the very first time, and when we memorize it, before we know it, we will know exactly what we need or what to do, because we remembered it. Wouldn’t it be great to know where you’re going, but also train your children to acquire that same knowledge?
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Oh, and guess what? Memorizing scripture doesn’t have to be boring or a drag. Instead, it can be fun and thought-provoking! So, consider adding a little creativity to the mix. For instance, decide on which Bible verse you would like to learn as a family. Then after you’ve decided on a scripture, pick up some colorful index cards from your local grocery or convenience store, and choose a color for the first Bible verse that you will memorize together. You and your children can pick a color of your choice out of the stack, write out the chosen verse, and then take turns reciting it out loud for memory.
The next step would be to give each other some space to begin memorizing your selected verse. Spread out throughout the house. Use the living room, bedroom, or any other quiet space you have around. I would suggest giving yourselves about 20 minutes before coming back together again to try to recite it by memory to each other. Try doing this memory exercise for about an hour once a week. You’ll be amazed at how doable this can be for everyone!
Another idea would be to retain scripture through a jingle. In other words, if you have a Bible song that has verses sung by a musical artist or group, you can learn them that way. You would be surprised just how fast you and your children can memorize Bible verses just by listening to a biblical upbeat song. Also, consider looking up Bible verse songs and practice singing them together in the car, while cooking dinner, brushing your teeth in the morning or at night before bed, or while cleaning up the house on the weekend. Before you know it, you will have a few verses added to your memory bank in no time!
The Bible itself encourages us to hide the word in our hearts. I remember reading and memorizing this verse found in Psalm 119:11 that states, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When we read, study, meditate, speak out loud, pray over, and memorize the scriptures, all of these spiritual disciplines help us to not only store away the word of God in our hearts, but it also helps us to be more mindful to obey its instructions.
I love what God shared with Joshua when he was about to take over the leadership role for leading the children of Israel into the promised land. He told him,
“Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything that is written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do”
Joshua 1:8
This was not only a word for Joshua, but it is also a word for you and me, as we lead our children into all that God has promised for them.
The Bible hidden within you and your children will help you to know God more, share the Gospel message with others, live righteously, while also being comforted, encouraged, and convicted by what it will teach you. It will also help you to not sin against our Heavenly Father. So, when we take the time to train our children to memorize and meditate on scripture, we’re actually teaching them a very helpful biblical practice and principle for living the Christian life. We’ve got this!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Courtnaye Richard is the founder of Inside Out Media Group, LLC - a faith-based PR, Marketing & Mentorship Agency. In her 15 years of experience, she has worked with platforms such as PBS, CBN, TCT, Yahoo, including local television and print publications.
Courtnaye is also the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in Christ, while equipping them for their calling. She is an author, contributing writer for iBelieve and YouVersion. Her speaking appearances include She Speaks, FlourishWriters, and Entrusted Women’s Conference. Her blog, Inside Out with Courtnaye reaches thousands of women across the globe!
WHO WE ARE
The Life of a Single Mom is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with hundreds of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served hundreds of thousands of single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
