Bible verse memorization?

[gwen's mom]

We are home school our girls (K & 3) and use Positive Action for Christ as part of our curriculum. Part of the lesson plans with this curriculum includes Bible verse memorization. I haven’t incorporated it up until now but I am wondering what folks thoughts are on this? What is the purpose? Is there a benefit?

To put it all “out there on the table,” I was raised Catholic and there was no Bible memorization but lots of memorized prayers. DH was raised Lutheran and was expected to memorize a large number of Bible verses. I am just not sure how I want to go about this component for our kids. I’d love to hear from others on your thought process/decision on this issue.
Thanks!

[dannic]

I grew up partially hsed and partially private schooled. We memorized scriptures at home, tho it wasn't on a strict timeline, just ones that had special meaning to my parents, I suppose. In the private school, memorization was weekly.
I like that I still have so many of them memorized. I also feel that it helped my reading comprehension and the ability to recall what I'd read easily. My kids and I have fun memorizing verses together. It doesn't have to be hard or over done. We also memorize poems and songs and other quotes, ect that reflect our values and interests.

[MrsJewelsRae]

I think it's beneficial in an educational sense to memorize things, I think it is spiritually beneficial to memorize scripture. As a Christian, I find that the Spirit of God brings verses that I've memorized to my mind when I need them, they give me help, hope, guidance, courage,peace, etc. I truly believe God's Word is very powerful and there is nothing better to fill their minds and hearts with, so my kids do Bible memory verses regularly.

[VisionaryMom]

I had to memorize scores when I was little. I probably can recall 5-6 now with the book chapter:verse reference. OTOH, I can recite many historical documents. I'm not religious now, so that's probably some of it. I suppose it's not harmful, but I'm not sure it's always helpful.

[Annie Mac]

I cant address the theological viewpoint on memorization of bible verses, but strictly from the viewpoint of a former teacher, I have found that some kids love memorization exercises, while others really stress out about it. So much so that I think any educational benefits are lost. For me, it would depend on the students. You know your children best. Are they natural memorizers? Do they love words and the rhythm of language? If so, they might enjoy the process, and who knows? Maybe they'll even remember those verses their whole lives. But if it's an uphill battle, I personally wouldn't make them go through it.

[astra]

You could try it and see if your kids are interested in learning the verses!

My son loves to memorize things. He was in an Awana group at our church starting at age 3, where he started memorizing short verses. He loves doing it. This year when he was four he also remembered the bible references. He was very motivated by earning patches and stickers.

I am not sure how many he still remembers!

[KempsMama]

My husband and I are Catholic, and our faith is a huge part of our life, so you know my background for this.

Our plan with our children regarding homeschooling and faith education is that religious education and academics will be separate but equally important components to their education. Religious education will be two-fold-learning about our faith, it's history and what we believe, and apologetics, or defense of our faith. Scripture memorization may come into play during parts, but only has it serves to explain our beliefs. I don't think that memorizing scripture just for the sake of memorization is helpful.

[Momma Aimee]

do to speech delays we just started conmitting Bible Verses to memory ..we find it valuable on many levels -- the benifit of memory work, the benfit to faith, and so on

how we do it: like a nusery rhyme or a chat -- we chant it and chant it and chant it. I print it BIG and we 'read it' over and over again .

(we choose SHORT verses)

vhat i don't do is say "we are now going to memorize this, you will recite it next week"

but mine son is under 5 so i don't make a big deal out of it -- but i do fine the memory work importnat for him (and little brother).

when they get older -- say 1st adn 3rd (offically) I do think it might become more formal .. this is your passeage 93 or 4 verses) for this month ....and they will at some point learn to recite for like my folks because i do feel that is an important skill.

but for now -- it is just part of what we do, not a lot differnt than chanting jack and Jill ..

KempsMomma -- vell said

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by gwen's mom

We are home school our girls (K & 3) and use Positive Action for Christ as part of our curriculum. Part of the lesson plans with this curriculum includes Bible verse memorization. I haven’t incorporated it up until now but I am wondering what folks thoughts are on this? What is the purpose? Is there a benefit?

To put it all “out there on the table,” I was raised Catholic and there was no Bible memorization but lots of memorized prayers. DH was raised Lutheran and was expected to memorize a large number of Bible verses. I am just not sure how I want to go about this component for our kids. I’d love to hear from others on your thought process/decision on this issue.
Thanks!

i have not seen Postive Action for Christ before -- i found the site, I'd love to hear how you are actually useing it on a daily basis and what you think of it

[cappuccinosmom]

We started with a poster that had "ABC" BIble verses--nice and short. The kids had fun memorizing them.]

Since we lost the poster in a move, I've just been picking out paragraphs from the NT. The kids seem to be easily able to memorize and retain about a paragraph at a time (3-6 sentences), and we just review the verse every evening, and sometimes review prior verses.

The way I help them initially memorize it is in steps. First I read it to them. Then for a few nights we say it together. Then I start leaving out words and they fill in, and gradually we get to the point where I give them the starting word and they can say the rest of the paragraph.

[fruitfulmomma]

Our reason for having our children memorize scripture is found in Psalm 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Aside from recitation we also use Steve Green's 'Hide Em In Your Heart' CDs which are really good for helping the youngest ones. My children sing these songs on a regular basis with no prompting from me. If you are hesitant to start recitation, I would start with one of these and go from there.

[Zuzu822]

We'll include some scripture memorization as the boys get older, and I really like the Scripture Memory System at Simply Charlotte Mason: http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/ Seems simple, yet effective.

I also have an ABC Bible verse book too. I think it's this one: http://www.amazon.com/My-ABC-Bible-V...9813751&sr=8-1 That also seems like a good place to start.

[Momma Aimee]

also i keep a list of short verses i find as i read the Bible, ones that i think are worth useing, this way i can come back to my own list :0)

[Grace and Granola]

I am curious to know if you include in the memorization where the verse came from. Like at the beginning or end do they say John 3:16?

[fruitfulmomma]

I am curious to know if you include in the memorization where the verse came from. Like at the beginning or end do they say John 3:16?

We are memorizing rather large passages with our kids, so we don't really stop to make sure they know the verse number of each one, but they know the book it comes from.