Why Scripture Memorization with Little Ones?

As a Christian parent, I have a duty to teach my children about the God I serve. (Deuteronomy 6:11)

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.

When I read this Scripture, I don’t see a specific time set aside to lecture on and on about God. I see that God is to be woven into every aspect of our daily lives.

My children have been attending church from infancy. Someone recently pointed out that since I’ve attended church while pregnant with each one, they’ve heard worship music and teachings even before they were born. I realized this, and the fact that from the time they’ve been able to hear in the womb, they’ve also heard me read Scripture aloud. How awesome to think that just by our usual actions, we’ve incorporated God into their young lives, and shown them that He is the focal point and running “theme” in our world.

We’ve read devotionals and children’s Bibles together, but it wasn’t until fairly recently that I was convicted about helping them memorize Scripture. They’ve learned Scripture in children’s ministry, but as far as Scripture committed to memory and hidden in their hearts as a daily, regular part of their lives, I realized we were lacking in that area.

How We Started

As I was researching which homeschool method to use this year, I discovered Simply Charlotte Mason. Included in their curriculum guide is Scripture memorization. I believe any family can benefit from this, even non-homeschoolers. At first, it seemed daunting, and a bit confusing learning to use the system, but as we put it into practice, just one foot in front of the other, it started to make sense.

What resources we use

I watched a video (to get a better understanding of the method), and found a plastic index card box to store the cards. Each day, we go over the Scripture; me reading it in parts, and the children repeating after me. I was amazed that they quickly memorized them this way! I thought for sure it wouldn’t be “exciting” enough to hold their interest, but I was wrong. It’s a part of their day that they look forward to all the time.

When to start

This is a personal decision, of course. The important thing is to not limit your children. I was amazed the day my two year old came to me and his older siblings working on our Scripture memorization for the day, and he seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing. A two year old! So just like with the other two, we started with Genesis 1:1. I would read it to him, and he would repeat it back to me. Sometimes I’d prompt him by saying, “Genesis 1:1…” and he would just look at me and say, “no.” (Gotta love two year olds!) But other times, during diaper changes or whenever I had his attention, we would go over it again, and now he has it totally memorized.

Now, he sees the Scripture box on the counter, and points to it and says, “Genesis 1:1!” and I bring it down, and show him the card, and he recites the Scripture, and goes on his way. Sometimes, he pulls down the children’s Bible, and brings it to me, and asks me to read Genesis 1:1, and I’ll take a minute and read as much as he seems to want me to read. I love how he is connecting the memory verse with an actual story in the Bible. We’ve also used some of the age-appropriate activities from ABC Jesus Loves Me.

I should add that my two older children were seven and four when we began. The older one, of course, does better with the longer Scriptures (like Psalm 23- I don’t even have that totally memorized, but he does!)

I think age of the child doesn’t really matter, but probably the earlier, the better! I can just imagine how much more of God’s Word I would know had I started at an earlier age like my children (ranging from two to seven years old, versus my own twenty-four years old!) It is never too late, though!

What about your family? Do you have an intentional time of Scripture memorization? What resources have you used? Share in a comment so that others can benefit from your experience!
Becky is a wife of eight years and stay at home mom to three young children. She aspires to encourage women in Biblical truth on her blog, Happy Christian Home