by Lois Breneman - 2013 - Heart to Heart
Young moms have so much at the top of their daily "To Do" lists, not to mention all the things not on their list, like nose-wiping, diaper changing, never-ending piles of laundry, necessary shopping, meal preparation and cleanup! I fully realize that, having been there once myself. Often the most important things get pushed aside and forgotten because of all the scurrying around!
Young moms have so much at the top of their daily "To Do" lists, not to mention all the things not on their list, like nose-wiping, diaper changing, never-ending piles of laundry, necessary shopping, meal preparation and cleanup! I fully realize that, having been there once myself. Often the most important things get pushed aside and forgotten because of all the scurrying around!
There is
one thing we need to be "intentional" about though - making sure it has
priority. Teaching our children and grandchildren scripture verses at
an early age is one of those lasting activities. It can even have an
eternal effect on them, as they accept and obey the Lord in simple
child-like faith, as the Lord draws them to Himself. What is more
important than that? Those scripture verses that I learned as a young
child and teen are still with me, and continue to minister to me even at
times when my Bible is on the shelf. The Word of God is powerful! A
long list of memorized scripture verses isn't our goal as parents,
however, but a genuine work in the "hearts" of our children, done by God
Himself.
Children can learn scripture even before
the age of two. Repetition is the key. As you repeat the verses,
leave out a word for your toddler to fill in. You will be so amazed at
what he will absorb at so tender an age!
The
following are just a few scripture verses to begin this exciting
journey with your very young children or grandchildren, but there are so
many more that would be appropriate for them to memorize. I suggest you
go through your Bible and add to this list.
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. - Ephesians 4:32
Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right. - Prov. 20:11
When I am afraid, I will trust in Him. - Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in Him. - Psalm 56:3
We love Him because He first loved us. - I John 4:19
Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you. - I Peter:5:7
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - I Peter 3:10
For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life -
John 3:16
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8
My daughter-in-law, Rachael, highly recommends this book: My ABC Bible Verses - Hiding God's Word in Little Hearts
by Susan Hunt. She says this is a good book to teach scripture verses
to small children with short attention spans, and it includes life
application stories that resonate with a small child.
Jeff and Rachael have been memorizing scripture together, saying the verses aloud in the presence of their two young boys while they play quietly next to them in their family room. At that time one of their sons was not yet two years old, he would fill in words to their verses of which he had no idea of the meaning. That's okay. He will learn the meanings later of the many words and concepts in his memory bank. Their practicing scripture memory in front of their children will make a lasting impression on them concerning the importance of God's Word in their parents' lives, as well as instill Bible truths in their own hearts. The parents print out the verses on small index cards, punch two holes in the top (while held horizontally), and insert metal rings in the holes, so the verses can be flipped to the back as they go through them.
When the whole family is most often together, the dinner table would be a great time to go over scripture verses. You might want to chose a different verse each week and use some time to review past verses as well. After dinner would possibly be a preferred time, unless you have a specific time for family devotions around God's Word. It doesn't need to be long or formal. A little goes a long way! Be intentional and ask the Lord what you should do as a family to instill God's Word in your children's hearts. The job should not be left to your church, Awana, or Christian school. It's your responsibility, as God says in Deuteronomy 6:
Jeff and Rachael have been memorizing scripture together, saying the verses aloud in the presence of their two young boys while they play quietly next to them in their family room. At that time one of their sons was not yet two years old, he would fill in words to their verses of which he had no idea of the meaning. That's okay. He will learn the meanings later of the many words and concepts in his memory bank. Their practicing scripture memory in front of their children will make a lasting impression on them concerning the importance of God's Word in their parents' lives, as well as instill Bible truths in their own hearts. The parents print out the verses on small index cards, punch two holes in the top (while held horizontally), and insert metal rings in the holes, so the verses can be flipped to the back as they go through them.
When the whole family is most often together, the dinner table would be a great time to go over scripture verses. You might want to chose a different verse each week and use some time to review past verses as well. After dinner would possibly be a preferred time, unless you have a specific time for family devotions around God's Word. It doesn't need to be long or formal. A little goes a long way! Be intentional and ask the Lord what you should do as a family to instill God's Word in your children's hearts. The job should not be left to your church, Awana, or Christian school. It's your responsibility, as God says in Deuteronomy 6:
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them
when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down,
and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
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