How to Memorize Scripture
An easy and effective way for families with children of all ages to memorize Scripture is by using index cards organized in a box. Families spend 5 minutes a day reciting Bible verse cards on a schedule so they can memorize new verses while not forgetting old verses.
Instructions and video link below!
Steps for Easy, Effective Scripture Memory:
1. Prepare your Bible verse box
You'll need to label 41 tabbed index card dividers and put them into your box in this order:
Daily, Odd, Even, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then numbers 1-31.
Next, copy all the Bible verses your family knows onto index cards. Don't forget to include the reference with the text! Place those cards behind any of the numbered dividers. (Don't put them all behind the same one- spread them out!) Then write down one new verse for your family to learn and place it behind the Daily divider.
2. Recite your verses
Each day, your family will say the verses behind four dividers: Daily, Odd or Even, the Day of the Week, and the numbered Date. For example, if today were Wednesday, the 7th, you'd say the verses behind Daily, Odd (because 7 is an odd number), Wednesday, and 7. This process takes less than 5 minutes!
3. Add more verses
As shown in the video, when your family has memorized the verse behind the Daily divider, move it behind the Odd or Even divider so that it's reviewed a little less frequently, and you can add a new verse behind the Daily divider. Then move the verse behind the Odd or Even divider back to a Day of the Week slot. The verse that was behind that Day of the Week divider is moved back behind a Number divider. Eventually, you'll have memorized enough verses that you'll have multiple cards behind each Number divider. There will always be just one verse card behind the others.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do we memorize the verses?
Simply read the verse aloud once. Family members can join in as they're able. Older kids may be able to join in with whole phrases after the first session, while younger children may only offer a word here and there at first. That's ok- there's no rush!
How often do we need to read through the verses in our box?
You can read through the verses behind the four appropriate dividers once a day. However, it's much easier to memorize longer verses if they're repeated multiple times a day. Many families find it convenient to leave their memory box on the table and say their verses before snacks or meals.
Can we add a passage rather than a single verse?
Absolutely! When you add a passage, memorize it the same way that you would an individual verse. Read the whole passage with family members joining in as they're able. Memorizing the passage in its entirety, rather than verse by verse, is easier. The context helps kids know what comes next since they can follow the line of thought.
Should we start over for younger kids when they're ready to learn?
No. Keep going, and they'll surprise you by eventually learning all the verses already in the box! They've had a great head start by being present and hearing the older family members learn the verses. Ask them to join in on the Daily verse and then start throwing out words or phrases of the older verses as they feel comfortable.
What do we do when our box is full?
Yay for filling up your box! You can pull out the dividers labelled 16-31 with the cards behind them and move them to a new box. Use your original box for days 1-15. When you get to day 16, switch the Daily, Odd, Even, and Day of the Week dividers and cards to the new box. You can swap those back to the original box on the first of the next month.
Which verses should we memorize?
You could start with a set of Bible verse memory cards with the most quoted passages in this curriculum. Our set of 52 Scripture cards focuses on theology and doctrine. They teach what the Bible says about God, Jesus, salvation, how God has a plan, how He's helping us live out that plan, and more. Alternatively, you could choose to memorize verses that you feel would encourage specific members of your family or verses that have been a special part of your own life. You could memorize verses on topics such as the attributes of God, the fruits of the Spirit, or God's promises. You can memorize anything. There are no wrong verses to pick!
Does this system really work in 5 minutes a day?
Yes! Not only will your family memorize verses through daily repetition, they'll remember those verses through monthly review.
