Setting the Bible on the pulpit, I stepped down off the platform to the sanctuary floor where the children were sitting. A young boy was chosen and instructed to get the Bible without going up onto the platform. After earnestly jumping, though barely reaching even halfway to his goal, he admitted defeat. When he was asked why he couldn’t get it, he simply stated, “I can’t reach it.”

The scene was an illustrative lesson prior to memorizing Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I told the children that our volunteer had just shown us what the verse meant when it said that we all fall short of the glory of God. No matter what we do or how hard we try, none of us are able to reach up to God.

Helping children memorize God’s Word isn’t difficult, but it must begin with illuminating the truth it teaches. Their memorization needs to be more than rote recalling of meaningless terms. Instead, we want the words of life to take root in their hearts.

Kids are sponges for information. My five-year-old nephew can tell you the names and numbers of every player on the Calgary Flames hockey team and many other teams as well. That was when my sister-in-law decided he wasn’t too young to memorize God’s Word. You will be amazed and perhaps a little envious of how quickly your youngsters are able to learn and retain Bible verses.

With a child’s supple and ever expanding mind to aid the process, only a few hints are necessary to make Scripture memorization a reality in your home.

• Use actions
  Don’t expect a four-year-old boy to sit sedately in a chair and repeat after you. He can learn the words standing up, lying down or while doing somersaults. Children were made to move, that is why they love action songs. Get them to help you make up actions for the words or phrases in the passage. Then, as your child attempts to say the verses, prompt them with actions rather than words.

• Use music
  When we were young I remember my brother singing his verses, to tunes he made up, all the way to church. He admitted that although he was too shy to sing them to his Sunday School teacher, if he got stuck he would sing it over in his head to recall the words.

• Use repetition
  The only way to ensure that your child will learn and remember God’s Word is by constant repetition and review. We have our children review one passage each night before we tuck them in and pray with them. Or, you can use the dinner table as a place to learn and review verses as a family.

• Where to start
  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, wherever you start memorizing with your child, there will be benefit.

  Foundational theology for every believer is provided in John 3:16; Romans 3:23, 24 and Romans 6:23. Remember to have your child learn where in the Bible the verse is found.

  For longer passages, the Psalms are a wonderful place for children to start. Psalm 8 and Psalm 100 are excellent passages of praise to our Heavenly Father. Psalm 23 and Psalm 121 emphasize God’s care and protection over us.

  Other valuable passages to commit to memory are:

  • Matthew 6: 9 – 13, The Lord’s Prayer
  • Galatians 5:22 – 25, The Fruit of the Spirit
  • Ephesians 6:13 – 18, The Armor of God

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matthew 19:14). Let’s build God’s kingdom by helping to plant His Words in our children’s hearts.