Pretty much all of the scripture I have memorized happened as a child. I still remember my sweet, elderly Sunday School teacher letting us put up a star by our name if we had our memory verse down each week. Then, at the end of the year, we got to pick prizes.
As I got older, it was always a delight as a teenager and young adult to volunteer at Awana. I loved helping and hearing the kids memorize God’s word.
Scripture memorization is still at the top of my list for things I prioritize as a believer. So, I want my kids to also memorize scripture.
I have compiled a list of some fun ways to incorporate scripture memorization into your daily family time. Because hiding God’s truth in our hearts is not meant to be drudgery!
Benefits of Scripture Memorization
I would love for you to share Benefits of Daily Reading and Knowing God’s Word with your family.
Here are a few ways that scripture memorization is beneficial:
- Helps us know God and His ways more.
- Gives us a clear understanding of who we are and what our identity is in Christ.
- Helps us fight against sin.
- Keeps us meditating on truth.
- Gives us something to share with others.
15 Fun Ideas to Help Memorize Scripture
1. Missing Words
Write out the verse on a dry erase or chalk board . Erase one word each round.(Or write each word on index cards and turn around one at a time.)
“What’s missing?”
Kids shout the word.
Erase another.
“Can you say the whole verse now?”
2. Freeze Dance Verse
Dance while instrumental music plays.
Music stops.
“FREEZE! Say each part of the verse!”
Repeat until the verse is finished.
3. Treasure Hunt
Write the verse down on index cards and hide around the room (or house).
“The Bible says God’s Word is treasure! Let’s find it and hide it in our hearts!”
Once all words have been found, can you arrange in order…
4. Minute to Memorize
Display the verse and read it allowed several times.
Next, set a timer for one minute. See who can say it before the timer goes off.
5. Hi-Lo
Display the scripture or look it up in your Bibles.
Practice saying the scripture at a whisper first and then get a little louder each time until you yell the whole verse.
For a challenge try doing every other word, high and then low.
6. Parents vs. Kids
“Who can memorize it faster…
Parents?
Kids?”
Set a Countdown timer and go! (Maybe have a prize ready for the winners.)
7. Echo Echo
Have each member of the family read the verse with the other members echoing after each word.
For a fun variation, have them do it in different voices: singing, military, etc.
8. Verse Hopscotch
Grab some chalk and head outside.
Write one word in each square and hop while saying the verse.
Bonus: Do it on the sidewalk so you can share God’s word with others.
9. Ball Toss Verse
For two: Toss a ball back and forth, saying one word (or one phrase) with each throw.
For more than two: Stand in a circle and establish a throwing pattern to say one word or phrase with each toss.
10. Move & Say
Make up an action for each word or phrase and use them to help remember the verse.
11. Creative Expression
Bonus: This is actually 3 in 1.
- Draw a picture for each phrase.
- Build the verse with LEGO bricks.
- Make comic strips about the verse.
12. Family Talent Show
Each member of the family comes up with a way to “act out” the verse.
Ideas:
- Make up your own song with the verse.
- Act out with a story.
- Do hand motions while quoting the verse.
13. Pray the verse!
Start with praise: How can we praise God based on what this verse says.
Respond: What do we need to confess that we do, don’t do, or how we think based on this verse.
Request: How can we ask God to help us live this verse?
14. Share the verse
Record yourself saying the verse and post online or send to a family member or friend.
Write the verse out and give to some one you meet that week.
Say the verse to some one who it might encourage.
15. Live it Out Loud!
Make a list of ways that your family can live the verse out during the week.
Challenge each member to be intentional about obeying the verse in a new way each day.
Looking for something easy and sustainable to get started?
Try this weekly verse quest challenge and then add the above fun options as you go:
Weekly “Verse Quest” Challenge
Give kids one challenge each day:
- Monday: Read it 5 times.
- Tuesday: Say it with funny voices.
- Wednesday: Teach it to someone else.
- Thursday: Draw a picture of the verse.
- Friday: Beat the Buzzer in 30 seconds.
- Saturday: Say it during family prayer.
- Sunday: Recite it at church and celebrate!
Bonus Challenge: Encourage kids to not only memorize the verse, but also live it out. Ask, “How can you obey or share this verse today?” This helps move Scripture from their heads to their hearts and into their everyday lives.
More Memory Verse Helps:
Summer Bible Verse Memory Challenge
Ways to Meditate on God’s Word Throughout the Day
8 Bible Verses to Teach Our Boys
Bible Verses to Find Joy in Life
Discover more from A Child Shall Lead Them-Finding Joy in Motherhood
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.