Enjoy this excerpt from the January issue of my The Family Forum newsletter. 

I never really made scripture memorization a part of my life. People would tell me about its importance and give me examples of verses to memorize, but my eyes would always gloss over and my mind would always wander.

As I write this, I’m starting to get it. I’m not very good at following through with things just because someone tells me to do them. Usually there has to be a reason for me, I have to understand why and make it real.

I already know of a couple of good reasons to memorize scripture. I know it is “a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) and that it helps “that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

I also realize I inadvertently have many verses tucked away in my head just from years of church attendance, personal devotions, small groups, Bible studies, and growing up in Sunday school.

As I researched more Bible verses with “word” in them I came across SO MANY reasons to memorize scripture and hide it in my heart and the young hearts of my boys. There is one major reason that sums it all up in such a simple and fascinating way, and it is revealed in the scripture I hope to start memorizing.

John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

And then Revelation 19:13 says “And He [was] clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God.”

Jesus is the living and active (Hebrews 4:12) Word of God. He is the Bible made into human form. It’s pure magic.

The more we know scripture, the more we know Jesus. Memorizing it and hiding it in our hearts means having more of Jesus in our lives. And THAT gives me more than enough reason to memorize God’s words to grow in my own faith, and help my sons to grow in theirs.

Family Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help us to hide it in our hearts so that we may know You more. May we constantly find ways to memorize the words in Your book, have fun with the memorizing, and discover the power that Your Word can have in our lives.

Preschool Idea:  There are some really cute resources out there for little ones to learn the Bible. Your preschooler can memorize Bible verses even at such a young age if you work at it with them.

Elementary-Age Idea:  Pick out your verses and write them on your bathroom mirror with erasable marker. Recite them together and quiz each other before or after your daily hygiene routine!

Teen Idea:  Ask your teen to be your accountability partner in this endeavour – I bet they’d LOVE that! And how about a celebration of memorization milestones for sticking with it for a week, a month or a year?