Making Scripture Stick

A Gracelink resource

Why be concerned with Scripture memorisation?

God's word commands it! "These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about htem when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deut 6:6-7

It's valuable: "How can a young man live a pure life? By living according to God's Word... I have hidden your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:9-11

Verses committed to memory can be drawn on later in life.

They guide and give direction to life: "Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." Psalm 119:105

Teaching Tips:

1. Be thoroughly prepared and know how to use your materials/visuals

2. Always have your materials ready before class

3. Use a variety of methods (surprise adds excitement!)

4. The activities should be fun and easy, not challenging

5. Be enthusiastic

6. Use lower case letters for young children

7. Emphasize the central theme of the verse

8. Use a Bible so that the children can associate the verse with the Bible

9. Repetition is essential - repeat the verse at least 6 times throughout the meeting

10. Stress the doing, not just the knowledge of the verse

11. Give them something to take home to remind them (fridge magnet, etc)

12. Take no longer than 8 minutes to teach the verse

13. Always encourage the children

14. Use both audience participation and competition

15. Provide mental relaxation after learning the verse (eg a familiar song)

16. To answer questions, children must raise hands and remain seated - this helps to maintain control

17. Question all children, not just the 'brighter' ones

18. Treat all answers seriously

We will share some 'how' ideas for different age groups in a later post.

#scripture #children #childrensministry