An easy Scripture memorization method for moms
Ever since becoming a mom, I've struggled with consistent Scripture memorization. I've tried a lot of different things and nothing seemed to work. I used to be able to memorize whole chapters of the book in a day or two and had committed some whole books of the Bible to memory before I was twenty.But after having children, I felt I lost my ability to memorize Scripture quickly and finding the time to focus on memorizing was a challenge, too. I wondered if my days of Scripture memory were a thing of the past.
A few weeks ago, I started reading Genesis 1 to Kathrynne and Kaitlynn every day. I thought it would be a great chapter to read to them and a great way to teach them about God's creation.
We've read it consistently almost every day for the past few weeks complete with lots of voice inflections and hand motions and had a very enjoyable time in the process (Who said reading straight from the Bible to a little one needed to be a boring thing? Whoever did has yet to see our jolly rendition of Genesis 1!).
Before I even realized it, both Kathrynne and I had memorized the first six verses and could quote them together by heart.
I know six verses might not seem like a major accomplishment, especially seeing as Genesis 1 is such a well-known chapter, but for this mama who sometimes can't even remember her own last name, six verses is a big thing!
At the rate we are going, I figure another two months of reading it everyday and we should know the entire chapter by heart. Then we'll move on to another chapter.
How's that for an easy Scripture memory method for moms? Best of all, it doesn't take any extra effort on my part besides the commitment to read the same chapter every day to the girls.
It works for me!
Graphic from AllPosters.com
posted by Crystal Paine at 12:30 PM
25 Comments:
Crysyal,
Would you consider doing another videotape of you and Kathryne doing your rendition?? She is so cute and we all loved seeing her sing! Just something to think about. If that would be too stressful, or time consuming I totally understand!
Carla
I've never thought of trying to read the same chapter repeatedly to our children.I'll give it a go!
Claire
I am passionate about scripture memorization for myself and my kids as well. I was praying for God to help me find ways to teach my children large amounts of scripture. One of the things that has helped us so much was putting scripture to song. I am no song writer, but God gave my husband and I different tunes for every 8 verse portion of Ps. 119. It took us a little over a year to learn simply because it took awhile to come up with the tunes. Its amazing how fast kids learn with this method. Deut. 11:18-19 says to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds....Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." I sing our scripture songs as lullabys, at devotions, at various times throughout the day and especially in the car. I have found driving time to be a great time to sing our songs and recite the passages we are learning. What blessings we are receiving by hiding God's Word in our hearts.
Yes, yes and yes! We are doing almost the exact same thing. Our youngest of 4 is 7 months old, and from the very day we brought him home from the hospital, we have been reading the Bible to him at each and every feeding. Unfortunately, he's been bottle fed from one month old (he had surgery)...but as promised, God took that situation and turned it to good, since that meant daddy also had an equal amount of time reading the Word to him.
The sowing of this 'seed' into our son has been one of the most precious and cherished times to us. It went from a verse or two at each feeding, up to a chapter or two, all the way to all 3 of his brothers sitting around him listening as well.
More times than not, we end our little Bible reading time with Luke 1:66 "..."What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him."
We often joke that our son 'pretends' to be hungry just to get to listen to scripture! The way he looks at us as we read God's Word to him...with his family looking on...as he enjoys a warm bottle of nutrition...it doesn't get any better than that!
God id Good!!
We read 5 verses at a time adding a new one each day or so. So day one we read 1-5, day 2 we read 2-6, day 3 we read 3-7, etc. Repeating and just adding one new verse to memorize really helps because you are just building on what you already know.
We used this same method with a Bible storybook when they were younger to help familarize them to the stories.
Yea for you! When my oldest was 5 and her brother was 2 I helped them memorize Luke 2 (most of the chapter with the Christmas story) for their dad as a gift on Christmas Eve. The oldest is now 12 and this is still a fond memory for all of us. My husband was so surprised. The two year old didn't memorize all of it but he did have a special part. He said (on cue with his little arms stretched out) "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth good will toward men." It was adorable. Now that I have five kids I think we will do this again for their dad. I can't think of a more precious gift for him.
I listen to the Bible on CD at home and in the car. I have found that after listening to it so often that I just start saying the scriptures along with the CD. I've memorized a lot of scripture this way, it's just not a specific section.
I've been doing the same thing with my 5 year old in kindergarten this year. He is learning a chapter a month, and I'm learning right along with him. We go through it once or twice a day at this point, complete with hand gestures and sign language, when it's words we know.
To be honest, I was horrible about memorizing scripture. Then this past September we signed up our boys for Upwards and AWANAs. Both programs require the children to memorize scripture, and since I'm the one that helps them learn the scriptures, I've also come to memorize them. It's been an incredible blessing for me.
And, I just love to hear my children recite verses ~ it's like music to my soul!
Here's a link to a video of my 3 year old reciting his verse. Totally melts my heart...
http://texastanya.blogspot.com/2007/09/sweetest-thing-ive-ever-seen.html
Great idea! I'm going to use it! I liked the others' ideas posted here too. We have the Steve Green Hide 'em in Your Heart CDs and I've memorized lots of Scripture through song with my daughter as she listens to these on the long drive to shop Walgreens.
We've been doing the ABC memory verse cards suggested on the Higher Up and Further In blog. It's been working great in teaching my sons (4 and 2 1/2) scripture and what do ya know, the mama is memorizing more scripture too! Yeah! I think like you're doing Crystal, just simply reading God's word to your kids and spending time trying to get across the message to them will result in the mom remembering it too.
My son is learning some chapters in Romans. I am amazed at the ability God gave children to hide His Word in their hearts. I find that Romans is difficult to memorize but to be honest, I struggle with Psalms sometimes...I get distracted!
Crystal,
I'd love to see your "jolly rendition" of Genesis 1 should you ever catch it on tape!
Another thing I've done with my daughter is learning how to sign a verse. Right now I'm doing a Bible study on the fruit of the spirit and the teacher taught us how to sign Galatians 5:22-23. I practiced it at home and my daughter loved practicing it with me. So far that's the only verse we know in sign, but I hope to learn more. It really helps remember what the words are because you have to concentrate on what each sign means. My daughter also loves the "Hide Em In Your Heart" CD and can sing several of the verses.
Anyway, consider a video of your Genesis 1 recitation - we'd love to see it!
K. Hewett
I just blogged about our Scripture memory work this week! We are working on memorizing Matthew 5,6 and 7 as a family. It is challenging, but we have so much fun doing it!
Great idea, Crystal. I love learning by repetition.
I'm also working on Genesis 1 :)
Great idea Crystal! I have to admit, I don't spend the time with my 10 month old that I would like to reading the Word to him. This morning we ready Genesis 1 (though I may pick something else and save this one till he is a little older). Some of the time he was playing next to me, but other times he was completely engaged. He would get right in my face while I was reading it to him (eye contact was his favorite) and would laugh and laugh. How is it that we mom's allow ourselves to miss these precious and priceless moments!
Thanks for another great idea!
Oh yes... a season will come in my life, too (God willing) when I won't be able to dedicate two uninterrupted hours to quiet Bible-reading. And then audios will be most helpful.
Really cool, Crystal! It's neat that you posted on this - I created a weight loss program (just an informal, blogging thing) a few weeks ago called "Word Watchers" that revolves around replacing our cravings with Scripture memorization. :o) I'll put a link below. Have a super Thursday!
http://thebarefootmama.com/?p=235
Check out the Harrow's at www.singtheword.com for wonderful Scripture in song. The newer CDs have passages that are fairly long, but that hasn't stopped my 5 year old from knowing them by heart.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I've been trying to incorporate more Bible reading into our day. I, too, have struggled with memorization since becoming a mommy!
What a great idea! We really need to do more of this at our house!
What Bible version do you use for reading scripture to your children? Do you just use one, or do you vary it?
I'm only 15, and so therefore am not a mom yet, but what a great idea!! I'll have to keep that in mind for when I do have my own little blessings!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful tip with us!
Blessings to you in Christ,
Rebekah
What an excellent idea...for everyone, not just mommies! I'm going to try that!
good timing or the Holy Spirit.
I just heard Elizabeth George speaking about praying scripture... then was convicted about learning scripture -- so then I could PRAY scripture... then was stumped.. how can I learn scripture -- I'm old!?!
A ha!! I'll pick a chapter today to read with the kiddos each day.
PRAISE GOD for this post!! Thank you!
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