Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Through learning God’s Word, we discover who God is, what He does, who we are, and how we should live. The Holy Spirit helps us remember Scripture to guide our choices. Since young children absorb so much, it’s essential to help them memorize verses in fun, engaging ways, planting God’s Word in their hearts from an early age.
In this section of an ABCJesusLovesMe broadcast, you’ll learn how to teach preschoolers Colossians 3:23 through song and actions, and how to apply the verse to a craft featured in the ABCJesusLovesMe Curriculum.
When practicing Bible verses, don’t skip the reference! Help the child remember it by using their fingers to display the numbers, which also helps with fine motor skills (e.g., Genesis 1:1 – point "one" with one hand, then "one" with the other).
Preschoolers love to move, so incorporate actions to reinforce the verse and support their motor development. Use the same actions for key words across verses (e.g., point up for "God," cross your hands over your chest for "love"). Sign language is a great tool; you can find resources online or in books
Visuals help non-readers memorize verses. For example, draw a heart around the word "love" or a cross over "Jesus."
Each of the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool and Bible Curricula includes weekly memory verses that correspond with the Bible lesson. Most verses are paired with a song to make memorization easier. You can adjust the verse length to suit your child’s ability. Additional verses for each Bible story and character training can be found on the Supplemental Ideas pages on the website.
Preschool Memory Verse Cards are available for each Curriculum to support memorization. These Digital Downloads include the verse, a piggyback song with actions, the reference, and a related picture. Each verse comes in both poster and pocket sizes for convenience. The cards also indicate the week and curriculum where the verse is introduced (e.g., 4 Year, Week 6). Each verse features a unique picture to enhance learning.
Setting memory verses to music is one of the easiest and most effective ways to learn and remember Scripture. Using piggyback songs, I have created songs and motions for every memory verse in the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool and Bible Curricula.
Setting memory verses to music is one of the easiest and most effective ways to learn and remember Scripture. There are some fantastic CDs that make this process fun and engaging. Here are a few of my favorites:
Are you ready to embark on an incredible journey of faith and discovery with your child or students? Look no further! Our Old and New Testament Curriculum Bundle is the perfect companion for home, preschool, or church Sunday School or mid-week meeting Bible learning. It's time to immerse your little ones in the enriching world of biblical stories and truth.
Check out the website IMemorize.org or apps like iMemorize, Fighter Verses, or Remember Me, which gradually hides more words as you go. Copy and paste the verse into the app and practice while waiting in line or during free moments.
Creating a lapbook using a file folder is a fun, hands-on way to reinforce learning. You can print this Memory Verse Lapbook example to get started.
For Older Children: Use blocks or building toys to build a tower with each word of the verse written on a block. As the child builds, have them say the verse out loud.
Have the child draw a picture or create a craft that represents the verse (like drawing a heart for a verse about love). As they work, they can say the verse out loud, reinforcing the memory through art.
Create a maze throughout the house with yarn. Add zigzag and wavy lines. Along the maze at different intervals, tie three bows on the yarn. Have the child walk along the yarn and stop every time he comes to a bow. Have him repeat the memory verse at each bow. Then say one thing which you are thankful.
Our Memory Verse Packets are designed to make Scripture memory fun and easy to learn. Each packet includes key Bible verses set to songs with simple actions to help kids memorize God’s Word. A fun, hands-on way to build a strong foundation of faith!
Create a hopscotch board on the floor with different words from the memory verse in each box. As the child hops to each word, say that part of the verse aloud.
Gather the family for a fun coloring time during the holidays.
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments by Kara Durbin is a practical resource designed to help parents guide their children using biblical principles during everyday moments. Organized by topics such as anger, gratitude, and honesty, each entry includes relevant Bible verses, a brief explanation, and discussion prompts to encourage meaningful conversations. This book aims to equip parents to respond biblically to their children's behavior, making it a valuable tool for teaching Scripture in a natural and impactful way. This book has been incredibly helpful in my parenting journey, offering Scripture to address the struggles my kids were facing.
On a large paper Christmas tree write a Christmas memory verse. Cut out of construction paper Christmas packages to add under the tree. Allow each child to place a package under the tree when he/she can say the memory verse.
