Note: This article is adapted from the webinar Hiding God’s Word in Young Hearts. To view the full webinar visit this link.
God's Word is unique, spiritual, unmatched. It reveals Him in His glory and greatness. The Scriptures teach children how to live, and how to respond to God. There are no better words in the entire universe to memorize than Scripture.
The Importance of Scripture Memorization for Children
There are so many reasons to memorize Scripture, beginning with the value of God’s Word. We have this amazing promise in Isaiah 55:11: “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
When we and our children speak the Word, the Word goes forth. How our speaking correlates to this promise is really a mystery and profound, but it's part of God's Word going forth. That’s reason enough to encourage children to memorize Scripture.
How Scripture Shapes a Child’s Soul
There are still more reasons to memorize God’s Word. It’s the source of many good things including:
Salvation
2 Timothy 3:15 talks about the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus. James 1:18 tells us that He brought us forth by the Word of truth. So the source of our salvation is God in the Word.
Sanctification
Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
Satisfaction
Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.”
Strength
That great passage in Ephesians 6 talks about how we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. It starts out with, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God,” including the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Memorizing Scripture Prepares Children for Trials
We need God's Word to fight the fight of faith. Having it stored in our hearts is indispensable in the battle, because the battle happens all the time. That’s true for children, too.
Are your children ever afraid?
- They should memorize Psalm 56:4: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Do your children ever struggle with harsh words?
- I know I do. They should memorize the wisdom found in Proverbs: “A soft answer turns away wrath.” (verse)
Do your children ever deal with anger?
- Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Benefits of Memorizing Scripture
- There are many studies that show children more easily memorize than adults. We should capitalize on God's design of a young person's mind. They are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- God's Word is the source of salvation. God may use the process of memorizing His Word to regenerate your child.
- What a great blessing it would be to children who memorized verses when they were young to already have a storehouse of God's Word in their mind and ready to apply once they’re saved.
Making Memorization Easier for Children
Whether because of special needs or learning disabilities, memorizing isn’t easy for all children. We have different ways of taking in God’s Word. We take it in through our senses—our eyes and ears. So singing the verse or listening to it in an audio format is a great way to internalize it.
Practical Ways to Help Children Memorize Scripture
I have a daughter with dyslexia and another daughter who is on the autism spectrum. One morning, I came downstairs to see my daughter with dyslexia singing the verse and putting it to hand motions, helping my younger daughter learn that verse. Singing, hearing, and hand motions–anything that involves more of the senses and associations–is very helpful for memorizing.
I had another son we didn’t even realize was memorizing Scripture. This was back in the early days when we were just popping in an audio CD of the Sermon on the Mount. He was 5 or 6 at the time. A few weeks in we were sitting at the table talking about our verses with one of our older children, and he piped up to help his sister with the verses!
Memorize in community
Should children memorize alone? Yes, but not only alone.
When a child learns to play an instrument he takes lessons, plays with the teacher, and plays as part of an ensemble. But he also practices on his own. I doubt any musician would say he became proficient without spending time practicing alone. That holds true for Scripture memorization as well.
- One of the best ways to encourage children to sustain the discipline of Scripture is to memorize within a community.
The last two churches I’ve been part of have had a Bible memorization program for the entire church.
- What pastors prioritize becomes important to the rest of the church. When children see their pastors, Sunday school teachers, and parents memorizing Scripture, they’re encouraged to do so as well.
- Memorizing as a corporate body can be the bridge that children need to support them through the hard work of developing the discipline, which leads to reaping the benefits of that discipline.
God's Word is inexpressibly valuable. If it’s invaluable, then yes, for the sake of their souls, children should memorize Scripture!
Want to learn more about how to hide God's Word in your child's heart? Watch the webinar.
Start memorizing Scripture with your children today, sign up here or below for your free download of the Fighter Verses Guide to Scripture Memory.
