FDM - Issue 2 - Scripture Memorization Together as a Family

At no time is it easier to commit anything to memory than as a child. At about age 12 our memory ability peaks, and after that, it is on the decline. Why wait to commit God's Word to memory as a family? Why deprive your children of the important spiritual life preparation of knowing God's Word by heart? Memorizing Scripture is so key to ongoing spiritual victory in our lives. Why not give your children this spiritual advantage?

Memorization is not as difficult as it may seem. We present different methods for making Scripture memorization, that are easy and fun, in each issue of this magazine. Here is a method you can use with the whole family. If you don't have a Bible for each person who can read, consider photocopying (preferably in enlarged print) the particular verse or passage you are working on. You can use your usual devotional time to do this. It will take 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the length of the verse).

I will use a favorite verse of ours from 1st John for my example. (Our children recently memorized the entire book of First John. It is such a good book to learn from!) Let's take 1st John 4:11.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1st John 4:11.

Going around the table or around the room, have each person add the next word to the verse, reading it aloud. It might go something like this:

Sarah: "Beloved..."

Amaris: "Beloved if..."

Mama: "Beloved if God..."

Katie: "Beloved if God so..."

Papa: "Beloved if God so loved..."

Michael: "Beloved if God so loved us..."

Ben: "Beloved if God so loved us, we..."

and back to Sarah again.

You get the picture. If you do this a couple times through each devotions time, every day, your children should know it easily within a week or less. See how fast you can get, as a family. Don't take it to a ridiculous speed, but try not to drag either. If you drag it out slow, it won't be any fun. But you do want to still read it expressively, thinking about the meaning as you go along.

With toddlers and preschoolers, we suggest you give them a raisin (or peanut or piece of trail mix or similar snack that is in small pieces) for each repetition, using the above method. Only since most toddlers can't read, you will want to read the verse the way it is shown here (above) adding an additional word each time, and having your preschooler repeat the previous part with the new word added, each time, until he can say the whole thing by heart. Don't be discouraged if he can't say it by himself the very first day. Just persist day by day, and he will get it soon enough. May the Lord bless your efforts!

Excerpted from Family Discipleship Magazine, Issue #2.

You may make a copy for a friend. Permission is granted to publish only in full (don't omit or edit anything), and only with this notice included:

Copyright 2002 by James and Joy Marie Dunlap. Excerpted from Family Discipleship Magazine, a quarterly Christian publication. For current cost of sample / subscription, visit www.LightHome.net or write to LightHome Publications, 27695 Blue Diamond Lane, Romoland, CA 92585-9019 or e-mail to: familydiscipleship@disciples.com.