Age & Stage
Find creative ways to make Scripture memorization fun. Here are some tips about times and ways to help your family memorize.
Acknowledge where you are with a plan for guarding your child’s heart:
Do you believe that Satan has a battle plan against your home? Be prepared with your own plan to guard the hearts of your family.
I’m asking you and your family to start with the four beliefs and find verses that teach them. You might find a number of verses that match. Memorize the ones that light you up the most.
You can customize the verse according to the ages and needs of your children. A younger child may be able to learn one phrase or sentence. An older child can learn a longer passage. Teach them just enough that they can grasp the meaning and meditate on it each day.
Be sure this isn’t a forced, negative situation for your kids. Find creative ways to make it fun. Here are some tips about times and ways to help your family memorize:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate [create anger in] your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Excerpted from Guarding Your Child’s Heart, published by NavPress. Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Gary Smalley. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Gary Smalley (deceased) was a best-selling, award-winning author, a popular public speaker and a renowned family relationship expert. He was the founder and president of the Smalley Institute, which provides practical relationship help through conferences, resources and counseling. Gary passed away on March 6, 2016, at age 75. He is survived by his wife, Norma, their three children and several grandchildren. Learn more about Gary, his ministry and resources by visiting the Smalley Institute’s website.
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