Why You Should Give Kids Scriptures to Memorize

Have you ever remembered the words to a song you haven’t heard in years? The tune plays and suddenly you’re easily singing along with it, word for word? Our brains can retain a lot, and none more readily than the mind of a growing child. Which is why it’s so important to fill it with things that give kids direction, comfort, purpose, and hope—things like Bible verses and Scriptures to memorize.

God’s Word will always be the most helpful thing for a child to remember throughout their life. When you give kids Scriptures to memorize, God will store up His wisdom and guidance in their hearts, using the truth of His Word to help them become more like Him each day. However, it can be hard for kids to want to begin that learning process of scripture memorization if they don’t know why it’s good for them. Help motivate kids to make a lifelong habit out of finding Scriptures to memorize by giving them these three reasons for why we want to memorize God’s Word.

1. God’s Word is Unchanging Truth

The first reason for why you should give kids Scriptures to memorize is that God’s Word is always true. Our world is constantly changing—from fashion trends and technological advancements, to family dynamics and personal priorities. Even social standards of right and wrong seem fluid. But regardless of whatever changes are going on in the lives of kids, they can be comforted knowing God’s Word is always true and unchanging. It will always be something they can fall back on throughout their lives when they take the time to learn Scriptures to memorize. Remind kids that even though the Bible was written a long time ago, it was still written by God. The same God who made the world, isn’t surprised by the way it changes around them, and knows everything—including what is best for them. Finding Scriptures to memorize can be their anchor point throughout life’s seasons.

2. God’s Word Helps Kids See His Will

Second, giving kids Scriptures to memorize helps them understand God’s will for their lives and how they fit into His bigger picture. God cares about what’s in kids’ hearts and minds. He knows about the different things trying to grab their attention and their love. He also knows that His Word is the best thing to fill their heart—giving them clarity, hope, and purpose for their lives. When kids are rooted in scripture, they won’t be as easily led astray by the things that might hurt them. They can also feel confident in God’s promises when Scriptures to memorize tell them how loved they are by God, why they exist, and where they will go when they die. Encouraging kids to find Scriptures to memorize helps them understand God’s will for their lives, giving them hope for the future.

3. God’s Word Helps with Everyday Life

Last but not least, giving kids Scriptures to memorize also equips them with easy access to Bible verses that will help them throughout their daily life. Though written long ago, the Bible is full of messages that are relevant to kids today. Just use some verses to give examples—like how to deal with bullies, being kind, or why it’s important to obey your parents. Giving kids Scriptures to memorize can change how they react in these different scenarios as they remember God’s Word. It can even help keep them from sinning or give them the courage to be kind in tough situations.

Whenever you encourage kids to gather Scriptures to memorize, help kids find a verse that talks about something they’re struggling with or something that is important to them. For example, if they’re struggling to be kind to someone, bring them to Ephesians 4:32. Then, ask kids open-ended questions like “how can remembering this verse help you be kind to someone?”

A Fun Activity Before Scripture Memorization

Need more ways to drive home just how invaluable finding Scriptures to memorize can be? Here’s a fun activity you can do with kids to help them visualize how having God’s Word in our hearts affects everything else.

1. Have kids draw a heart and write inside the heart the things that are important to them. Some examples might be “mom and dad”, “brothers and sisters”, or “my pets.” Whatever they choose to write in, make sure they leave room at the top of their heart.

2. Explain to kids that their heart is the part of them that thinks, feels, and makes choices. Also explain that while the things they wrote in their heart may be good, there still might be moments where they don’t love them well (such as arguing with a sibling or not listening to mom and dad), or even that we might get them out of order as to which is more important (like prioritizing a new toy they’re excited about over their family).

3. Now, have the kids put God and the Bible in the top of their heart. Explain that when we love God and love listening to what He tells us in the Bible more than we love anyone or anything else, this actually helps us to love those other things that are important to us the way they’re meant to be loved: unselfishly and in the best way! Prioritizing God and finding Scriptures to memorize from His Word, only leads to a happier, more fulfilling life for everyone.

Another great way to help kids see how finding Scriptures to memorize can aid in daily life is to share your own experience! Tell the kids about a time when remembering a Bible verse helped you make a good choice or comforted you, and just why you think finding Scriptures to memorize is so important to you now.

Although it helps to motivate kids by making things fun or by using rewards, not all things in life worth pursuing are fun or have immediate rewards. Some good things take time to feel worth it, and giving kids Scriptures to memorize can be just one of those things. Help motivate kids to want to learn by giving them the three reasons shared today: we find Scriptures to memorize because God’s Word is unchangingly true, God’s Word helps us understand His will, and God’s Word guides us through everyday life. It can’t do those things in our lives if we don’t know it, and the only way to truly know the Bible is to memorize it. Help kids equip the greatest tool for living yet: knowing and remembering God’s Word by finding Scriptures to memorize.