Can you smell a wonderful post covid summer in the air?
Both children and adults are ready to take back the summertime that covid stole from us. As a result, calendars are buzzing with activities.
I have 2, 3, and 5-year-old boys full of energy and ready for a lineup of summer activities.
As parents, we donāt want to let them get bored. Or perhaps, weāre too busy with work, so we sign them up for all sorts of activities- vacation bible school, soccer, swimming lessons, athletics, taekwondo, reading programs, vacation schools, etc. Some lasting throughout the summer. Others for a few days.Ā
However, we must have a spiritual goal for our kids during their free periods away from the āformalā education setting. So, this summer, allow me to introduce you to a challenge the entire family will enjoy. I call this the āMemory Verse Challengeā! Before our kids return to school, letās ensure that we set a goal of how many bible verses they should memorize before school resumes.
Here is a line from my previous article titled the āLasting Presentā on why we must immerse our kids in the memorization of Scripture- āThis is the perfect gift, one that can never get old and be damped. One that will affect all areas of your childās life: their careers, choosing a life partner, in the actual marriage, in their ministry, in their dark times when they cannot run to you, and in their happy times when they need to point all the Glory to God.ā
If youāve been meaning to do this with your younger or older kids but have no idea how to, here are some guidelines to help you with either category of kids:
For Younger KidsĀ
Here are a few helpful ways to approach memorization of verses with younger kids this summer:
- Memorize anywhere– Whether at home, out for a walk, doing groceries, etc. My kids and I explored learning while in the car, but that did not go well. Explore with your kids and see which places would work best for them.
- Memorize anytimeĀ – I explored learning with them in the mornings, afternoon, and evenings. For my kids, mornings seem to work best. Afternoons were ok too, but evening times they were a no-no. Explore various times with your kids and see what will work best.
- Make it fun-Ā please don’t be boring.
- Vary the tonations within a verse. For example, you can make the first part of a verse high toned and the second part lower toned.Ā
- Make it “singable.” Put a rhyme to it; they can’t forget. It doesn’t have to sound perfect. Just remember that.
- Let them run, walk, dance with it, whatever their little bodies will want to do
- Repetition is Key
We started with a memory verse a week. So, every single day in that week, we recited and repeated it as often in the day as we got the chance.Ā
We started the following week with a new verse. We had two verses now. So though, we learned, for example, Philippians 4.13 last week. This week, it’s Psalm 23:1. However, this week becomes both Philippians 4.13 and Psalm 23.1. By week three, we are memorizing three verses. Every week was a build-up of previous weeks’ verses.Ā No verse gets left behind.
For Older KidsĀ
Since older kids can reason with you, you can encourage them to participate in making this a fun one. Here are a few ways:
- Create a challengeĀ
We all love overcoming obstacles- young or old. Make it a challengeāa fun one. Challenge your older kids to learn 5 or 10 or even more verses a week. To make you, the parent, an active participant, give them the verses to memorize. That way, you know for sure it’s not old Sunday school verses they learned that they are just coughing up.
- Give incentives if possible.
We reward our kids for excelling in their academics. So why not reward them for as many Scriptures they can cramp up? If possible, incentivize the activity.
- Build a community if possible
You could ask them if they would like to involve their best friends, for instance, in the challenge. Or cousins of the same age etc.
With older children, the choices are unlimited. And more importantly, if kids devise their own memorization strategy, they will own it and find it more enjoyable. The possibilities are endless.
Helpful Memory Verses to StartĀ
If you are unsure of what verses to start with, here are a few. Some have been slightly paraphrased to help make memorization easier for younger kids. For older kids, though, go with the original verse as they appear in the Bible.
I hope your kids will have a great summer with this summertime hit list:
Phil 4.13– I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
Josh 24.15Ā – As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Psalm 23.1– The Lord is my shepherd I shall not wantĀ
Nehemiah 8.10Ā – The joy of the Lord is our strengthĀ
Mat 19.26– With God, all things are possibleĀ
Deuteronomy 28.13– I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath
Proverbs 9.10– The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Mark 12:31-Love your neighbor as yourselfĀ
Ephesians 6.1– Children obey your parent in the Lord
John 11.35– And Jesus WeptĀ
Psalm 23.6Ā Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
John 15.7– if you remain in me and my words remain in you. You will ask whatever you want. It will be granted unto you.
Hebrews 13.5– I’ll never leave you nor forsake youĀ
Ecclesiastes 3.1– There is time for everythingĀ
1 Corinthians 2. 16-Ā
For whom hath known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct him? But I have the mind of Christ.Ā
Psalm 127.1
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build itĀ
Ā
Mathew 28.20b
and lo, I am with you always,Ā evenĀ to the end of the world.ā Amen.
Ā
I Chronicles 16:34
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Ā
Isaiah 9.6a
TheĀ people walking in darkness have seen a great light
Ā
Isaiah 60:1Ā
āArise, shine, for your light has come,Ā and the Glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Ā
Luke 2.49
I must be in my Fatherās houseĀ
Ā
Mathew 6.33a
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousnessĀ
Ā
John 14:6Ā
Jesus answered, āI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ā
Isaiah 54.17a
No weapon formed against you shall prosper
Ā
Colossians 1.27c
Christ in you, the hope of GloryĀ
Ok, So Its Memorized; Now What?
Make using verses memorized a regular part of your language of communication at home and everywhere.
Adopt Scripture as part of your regular everyday jargon in your family.Ā
When my kids are complaining about something they can’t do, I would often say, “Boys, I can do,” and they sometimes respond grudgingly, “all things through Christ that strengthen me” [Philippians 4:13]
Ā Sometimes though, the tables turn, and they get back to me. For example, when I am not feeling up to going out in the scorching Texas heat, even though they want to be out playing, they say, “mommy, you can do,” and then I grudgingly respond, “all things through Christ that strengthens me.” I take them out then because the kids should know that the word of God takes dominance over all things and people, both great and small.
Other times they may want to play endlessly. So I pull out a card- “Boys, there is time,” and they respond “for everything”- [Ecclesiastes 3:1].
It’s not too late to let Scripture be a part of your everyday life with your kids. Start now.
Here is to wishing you a wonderful summertime with this summertime hit list.
The Scripture below sums up all I am trying to say.
Deuteronomy 6.6-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.Ā
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Ā
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Hannarich Asiedu
Hannarich Asiedu is the author of "DECODING THE INLAW CODE," a guide to attaining peaceful relationships with parent and sibling in-laws, available on Amazon. She's also an international keynote speaker, Chief Happiness Officer, and Philanthropist.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in English and French from the University of Ghana and is certified in the Science of Wellbeing at Yale University.
Hannarich is a contributing author to Dayspring's "Sweet Tea for the Soul" and writes for Guidepost.
A boy-mom of three little guys; there's never a dull moment in her life. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her family.
Follow her as Hannarich Asiedu on all social media platforms.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. Please share with any parent you know out there, no matter how busy they are. If our children will continue carrying the torch, it really depends on how well we prepare them.
Which of these points do you find most helpful?
Thanks for sharing! God bless you!
I love this strategy, very good for the spiritual build up of our children. May God bless your ministry abundantly and anoint you for more greater works.
I’ve certainly found it to be helpful. May God help us all. Thanks Prosper
I so much love the article. I’m trying the tips my self. Thanks, Hannarich ā¤
Hahhaaa
This is great! Iām so gonna try this out and oh. Iām sharing it. God bless you!
Absolutely let’s practice this. This is the most important thing we can leave our kiddos. Thanks Rachel
Thank you sis for sharing this. This is a MUST do for all Christian homes this summer. It is good to have our kids learn the scriptures for themselves. We the parents must also let the kids see us learning and implement the scriptures too. Thanks Hannahrich. God bless.
Right on šÆšÆšÆ
Wooow! This is incredible… this strategy would ensure the word of God is inculcated into the hearts of our children… This this is the Manual that will guide their paths into the will of God and His purpose for their lives!
I started doing that some time back, but I sincerely have become reluctant about that consciousness! This has prompted me to take up the challenge upon myself again… this is God inspired!!!
God bless you and more grace for great insights, such as this! Am blessed
Thank you Prophetess. The cares of life sometimes pulls us all away from the most important things. God help us all
Brilliant! Iām totally trying this with all my kids ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø
I like the ALL MY KIDS part šššš