Memorizing scripture is so important. And with kids? It’s easy!! Here are some of my favorite ways to do it—some I’ve done with my daughter and others are from the archives of my Children’s Pastor experience!

1. Motions

Make up motions to each word (or phrase) in the verse. They don’t have to be real sign language–just whatever prompts your memory. Here’s Lydia doing motions to 2 Timothy 1:7.

2. Giant Dice (thanks to Kris for reminding me of this one!)

This was one of the kids’ favorites at church. I found a square box (probably 4-6″) and wrote instructions on each side: act like a chicken, hold your tongue, say it fast, spin around, stand on one foot, etc. Kids roll the die and then have to say (or read) the verse doing whatever the die tells them to do. It’s hilarious.

3. Bookmarks

For your upper elementary students, simply print the verse on a bookmark. Or have the child write it and decorate it. Place in a Bible–or maybe even more helpful–among their regular books. This is also good for daily Bible reading; you can list several scriptures on one bookmark and check it off as you read.

5. Song or Rhythm

Put the scripture to music! If you’re not musical you can always just find some scripture CDs like Seeds Family Worship or Scripture Rock. You can also easily do a rhythm–a basic pat your lap, clap your hands rhythm is easy for kids of all ages.

6. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

Just say it all the time. While you’re making dinner, when you’re getting in the car, cleaning the house or going to bed. Hmmm…sounds kinda familiar…

7. Fractured

If you’ve been around children’s ministry–especially if a puppet was involved you’ve seen this one. It’s when you start quoting a verse like…

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, Batman created…”

Well, you don’t get very far before a kid corrects you on that one. So you try again:

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created popsicles and oreos…”

Again, your kids won’t let you go too long with a crazy mixed up Bible verse. It gets you (and them) repeating the verse but more importantly actually listening to it!

8. Take It Away

This is by far one of the most effective for your elementary aged kids. Write or print the verse with one word on individual pieces of paper. Read the verse once while pointing to each word. Then let your child take one paper away. Read the verse again, continuing to point to each word–including the empty space. Continue taking one word away at a time until you are saying the entire verse from memory while pointing the blank spaces the words used to be!

9. Hang It Up

If you’ve been around this blog for any amount of time you know I’m a big fan of making signs and banners with scriptures on them. My daughter can’t read the verse yet, but we still see it hanging up around the house. And it gets it into MY mind and into MY sight so I can do one of the above techniques with her! I want God’s Word to be everywhere in our lives–even on our doors and walls!

What’s your best memorization technique?