One of my favorite things growing up in church was the memory verse treasure box. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Every Sunday I looked forward to going to children’s church. While all the kids got settled in their seats, one of the youth helpers would listen to those of us who’d worked to memorize verses:
For God so loved the world . . .
Seek ye first . . .
Beloved, let us love one another . . .
I worked hard memorizing verses as a kid, and the reason I did it was for the prize. Yep, that’s the truth. Gum balls, plastic rings, stickers. Those things are long gone, but the words . . . the WORD remains.
During our homeschooling years, memorizing Scripture verses was part of my kids’ curriculum. Throughout the years, they memorized Psalm 100, Genesis 1, and numerous other verses. We’d practice most mornings, and as my children worked on their memory verses I was blessed to learn alongside them.
Recently, I wrote about memorizing Scripture on a guest blog post, and I was surprised by Christian parents who commented that knowing about Scripture is good enough. They don’t spend time working with their kids to memorize verses. Isn’t there enough to do in life without adding another thing?
Yes, life is busy. And, yes, it is important for children to understand the Bible as a whole. They do need to understand what the Bible is about and the message of Christ’s redemptive plan that runs throughout. We don’t want kids memorizing the Bible just for memorization sake . . . or do we?
Even though I memorized verses as a child just for the prizes, something amazing happened inside of me. God’s Word was hidden in my heart. (I think that’s what my children’s church teacher had up her sleeve all along.)
Those words have be there as a lifeline through the years.
There were times I was really worried, and the words came back to me:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:24
There were moments I wondered if God had a plan for my life, and then I remembered:
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16
OK, the truth is that at forty years old, I don’t always remember the verses word-for-word, but I do remember most of the words . . . and the message. I also know where to look (in general) to find the verse again.
So how can we sum this up?
Your kids might learn Scripture verses to earn candy bars and camping trips. These rewards won’t last long, but the reward of knowing God’s Word will last forever.
The older you are the harder it is to memorize, so start young with your kids! Learn alongside them.
Even if you are “older” (like me!) you can still memorize verses. It takes longer, but it does work. I write out verses I want to work on and keep them around the house. One great place to keep them is in my bathroom. I review the verses while I blow dry my hair.
Finally, remember that time spent in God’s Word is NEVER a waste. As Isaiah 55:10–11 says:
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Hey, those are great verses. I think I might try to memorize them. 🙂
I agree. Even though, growing up, I memorized verses and passages for prizes or contests, those words have come back to me when I most needed them.
Tricia,
I grew up being spoon-fed the Bible, and I entered all the competitions for verse memory and reading through the Bible, etc., etc., etc.
Then I left, disillusioned, bitter, and determined to make it on my own.
When I finally ran out of options, those scriptures were like letters from home tucked into the attic of my heart… and when I pulled them out, I knew there was only one place left for me to run: back into the arms of the ONE who wrote those words to me. “Thy words have I hid in my heart…”
They were a tether, an anchor, a life-line, a road-map back home again.
Scripture saves lives – I know that mind is just one story in a million.
Blessings,
Becky
minE – whoops!
I love these comments! Thank you so much for sharing. God’s Word will not return void!
I also grew up in the church where memorizing scripture was part of Sunday School each and every time. I struggled with this and still do. I have found it does help to have the verses posted around the house so I can see them no matter what I have on my plate. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to have the scriptures on my heart.
A great reminder… Something I haven’t pushed my kids to do. You are so right… the stuff I learned in Sunday School has come back to me in adulthood. Some of the easiest to remember were ones we learned to sing! Time to break out the old tunes! Blessings!
I memorized the books of the Old Testament in order to win a new Bible. Then, the books of the New Testament for a lunch with the pastor. I was sick on the lunch day, but now I know how to find the verses I’m looking for quickly. Thanks for the reminder. Time to get the grands busy with this.