Bible Memory for Children
Of course, the more senses we have participating in memory activities, the more likely they are to "stick." With the help of coloring sheets, we can incorporate visual stimuli, kinesthetic stimuli, as well as auditory when we speak the verse aloud. Try these memory verse coloring sheets for both the
Old Testament
and
New Testament,
or create your own Bible verse
coloring sheets.
Games & Activities
Bible Memory Activites are a great way to learn verses and practice too. A few that I like to use are as follows:
"Memory Match" Do you remember playing Memory Match? Cards are placed face down and you turn two over at a time to make a match. It usually takes several turns before you are able to see and remember where two cards that match are out of the group. To use this for memory verses, write each word of the verse on separate index cards. Turn them face down and have students turn cards over one at a time trying to turn the words over in the correct order until they can do the whole verse. Ex: If a student turns over the first three words in the correct order, but then not the fourth, play goes to the next student. All cards are turned face down again before each turn. This can be played as a group together, on teams, or even a single student playing solitaire. "Now You See It, Now You Don't" Use a dry erase board or chalk board for this game. Write the verse on the board and give students about one minute to read it and try to memorize as much as they can. Then begin erasing a word or two and seeing who can still say the verse with the missing words. Continue until the whole Bible memory verse is erased. You may be surprised to see how many students can already say it from memory!
"Around & Around We Go!" When teaching a Bible memory verse to children, repeat it often! I usually like to have them sit in a circle, and we "pass the verse." We each say a word in the verse in order as we go around the circle. We start with a different person each time so that everyone doesn't say the same word each time. We continue going faster & faster until we all can say the verse; it's a lot of fun!
"Easy as ABC" Incorporate something kids already know or are currently learning - their ABC's. Challenge them to learn a verse for each letter of the alphabet. Using the ABC order actually will give them cues for the verses.
Creative ways to practice Bible verses...
Also, Awana Clubs International has made available several Bible Memory books that are free downloads. These Bible memory resources are available for preschoolers as well as school aged children through 6th grade. Each memory book has a different Scripture theme. Also available are free printable Bible verse cards in three different Bible translations - New International Version, King James Version, and New King James Version.
There are also creative ways to teach children the books of the Bible. Music can be an excellent tool to help children memorize; try this books of the Bible song. There are also other helpful memorization tools such as these free printable Books of the Bible flash cards. These give kids great visuals to associate with the names of the Bible books and can also be used for a fun Bible memory game of concentration. These are great for preschoolers who will be able to associate the pictures with the books before they are able to read.
Christianbook.com offers some great Bible memory songs by Steve Green:
One other important key when helping children with Bible memorization is to encourage them to continue practicing them even after they have them memorized. Remember the saying: "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." This is true with Scripture memory too!
One incredible benefit of working with children in memorizing Scripture is that you'll be learning them too! So if you're not memorizing Scripture yourself, maybe it's time to begin! The Psalmist knew how important it is when he wrote Psalm 119:11: "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee." Begin storing up the nutrition of God's Word in your mind, heart & spirit today!
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