When I was a little girl, my parents began teaching me to memorize Scripture. They began by teaching me a verse that began with each letter of the alphabet. So for "A" I memorized, "All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to our own way."
Brad and I have taught our children verses too but they have been based on what each child needs at the time. Because one of them gets scared in her room at night, she has memorized, "I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Another was having a hard time speaking kindly so she memorized the first part of Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs."
The method is not what's important. The emphasis should be on hiding God's Word in your heart. The Bible says we are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). When Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan, he combatted every temptation with Scripture. If Jesus used God's Word to fight sin and temptation, we ought to do the same. And how can we do that if we do not know God's Word?
A couple of weeks ago, we began using the letters of the alphabet to teach our kids more memory verses. You can find your own as you go through the Sciptures or you can use the ones we are using. You can find them below. I print out each verse and display it in the kitchen for one week where everyone can see it. That way it's a constant reminder of what should be filling our minds with and hiding in our hearts. Once you have memorized it, you get a candy.
A - All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned - everyone - to his own way. Isaiah 53:6
B - Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved. Acts 16:31
C - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
D - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8
E - Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Proverbs 20:11
F - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
G - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
H - How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? Proverbs 6:9
I - I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. John 15:5
J - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
K - Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
L - Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6
M - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
N - No one can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24
O - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. Hebrews 13:17
P - Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1
Q - Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
R - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
S - Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:10
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
U - Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. Isaiah 9:6
V - "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:19
W - We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
X - I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father eXcept through me. John 14:6
Y - Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Z - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11
Notice that you don't have to memorize the entire verse. If your little one is 2 years old, "God is love" (from 1 John 4:16) may be enough. You could have your older children memorize the entire verse or even a section of Scripture. And there's nothing wrong with rewarding them for their diligence and obedience. Afterall, the Lord blesses us when we obey him. And remember that the best parenting is leading example so take this challenge yourself and start memorizing God's Word along with your kiddos.
.JPG)
