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As a Christian parent, there is nothing you want more than for your children to grow and mature in God’s Word. Use these 25 Bible verses for children to memorize to help your children, toddler age all the way to teenage, grow in their own understanding of God’s word, hiding these simple Bible verses in their hearts.
Though raising your kids to be strong children of God, actively participating in the kingdom of Heaven is not an easy feat, and quite the process that varies from household to household and even kid to kid, knowing and memorizing scripture is a great way, and powerful way, to give your precious little children a great start in their walks with Christ Jesus into eternal life.
This article will assist you in beginning or continuing this journey of scripture memory, no matter what stage of life you are at with your kiddos. We will walk through the importance of memorizing scripture, how to help your children through it, how to use the scripture they are working on, and, of course, what verses to have them memorize based on their stage of development.
My prayer for you and your family is that you will all grow closer to God and each other throughout this endeavor and experience the wonderful works of God unfolding right in front of you.
Why Scripture Memory Work is So Important
Hebrews 4:12, a great verse for everyone to know, says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Holy Bible is unlike any other book because it is actively living. It is God-breathed and divinely inspired as the Word of God. The Bible does not just contain the Word of God, the Holy Bible IS the Word of God, from beginning to end and every little word in-between. This means there are not some parts that are true and some that are not true. The entire Bible is absolute truth and the most useful tool for instruction in Christian living, as it is God’s instructions. It was relevant and powerful in historical times, it is relevant and powerful in modern times, and it will be in the future as well.
Memorizing scripture is important for Christians of all ages, but it is especially important for children as they grow in maturity and their own understanding of the truth.
How to Help Your Children Memorize Scripture
Helping your children memorize scripture can feel overwhelming. Every household and family has a different daily routine, whether that already includes scripture memory or not, and that can determine your ability to really dig into God’s Word; not to mention that every kid learns differently. However, training our children in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ is a commandment without excuse.
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days the days of your children may be multiplies in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (ESV)
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
That being said, here are a few tips for helping children of all ages to memorize Bible verses.
- Make it fun! We all learn better when we are actively engaged and having a good time. Make scripture memory work, something to be celebrated rather than a chore. Consider offering prizes to kids who can recite the whole verse.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat. Repetition is how we learn – especially for the rapidly developing minds of our little children.
- Practice in the car. Turn the screens off and the music down, and you will find yourself with a captive audience, making car time the perfect time to practice the verses.
- Use music. There’s something about music that taps into other parts of the brain and helps us learn. There are a ton of catchy Bible verse songs already out there, so check out you tube or create your own little tune with your kids.
- Write the week’s verse and put it up somewhere you and your children will see it frequently – like on a kitchen cabinet, by the dinner table, or on the bathroom mirror.
How to Use These Bible Memory Verses for Children
You can, of course, use these Bible memory verses for kids in a way that is tailored to and works best for you and your family, but here are some suggestions to help you get started.
- Incorporate the verses into lessons for Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, or religion classes at private school, church, or home school – this is especially a great way to get a little group of families started in this endeavor together!
- Plan to memorize one verse per week together as a family. Consider creating a family celebration (popcorn and movie night, a special dinner, or a fun outing) when you have accomplished memorizing 5-10 verses together as an incentive to keep everyone motivated.
- If you have older children, get them involved in teaching your younger children. This will likely be more engaging for the older children (aka the most difficult ones to keep excited about something)
- Consider giving each child a simple journal to write the verses in and draw pictures or explain what the verse means to them.
- Pray for your children. Ask the Lord God to give your kids the ability to memorize scripture. Pray for protection in their hearts so the enemy, Satan, would not have the power to thwart their ability to learn. There is nothing more powerful than prayer.
The following Bible verses for children to memorize are listed in NIV – New International Version.
Bible Verses for Children to Memorize
Bible Verses for Toddlers or Pre-Schoolers to Memorize
The minds of our dear children are rapidly growing and developing, even into early adulthood, so it is important to cater your teaching and instruction to their current level. Because of this, I have broken down the Bible verses for children to memorize by age group.
It is up to you as a parent, but training our children in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ can start at a very young age. Here is a list of short Bible verses that are appropriate for toddlers or pre-school age kids to memorize. For toddlers, I suggest shortening the verses even more to keep them extra simple.
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
Psalm 145:9a
“The Lord is good to all.”
Matthew 22:39b
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Ephesians 4:32a
“Be kind and compassionate to one another.”
Proverbs 3:5a
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
Matthew 28:20a
“And surely I am with you always.”
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Bible Verses for School-Age Children to Memorize
By the time young kids start school, they are ready and hungry for a little bit more intensive learning. Their brains of course still have a long way to go, but it is time to get a little bit deeper than you did when they were toddlers.
These simple scriptures are appropriate for elementary school-age children to memorize. To start, try having your child write the verse on a note card to put on the fridge or by his bed. Next, try writing the verse with some fill-in-the-blank lines, and finally see if he can speak it to you totally from memory.
Numbers 6:24
“The Lord bless you and keep you.”
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
James 1:17a
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”
Psalm 118:24
“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Isaiah 43:5a
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Bible Verses for Teens to Memorize
The teenage years are really when you can start challenging your young man or young woman in their own understanding of scripture.
These verses are great for pre-teens and teenagers because they speak about seeking the Lord God for direction and wisdom during this critical time in their development – a time when they are searching for their identity and place in the world that is constantly throwing new and different ideas at them. We as Christian parents of course want to encourage them to find their identity in Christ Jesus, feeling the love of God and developing their own love for Him.
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.”
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do Good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Galatians 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is now law.”
As parents, we want to do everything in our power to make sure our children are set up in all the best ways for their continuing walks with Christ Jesus, but the most important thing to remember is that everything is in the hands of the Lord. What we can control is our obedience to his command to disciple our children, but the outcome is up to Him through the work of the Holy Spirit, all for the glory of God. In your obedience, remain steadfast and fervent in prayer, walking in the Holy Spirit and you will see God’s promises come to fulfillment in the lives of your children.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6
By using these age-based lists of Bible verses for children to memorize, you will be giving your dear children a good gift that will last their whole lifetime – and beyond, into eternal life, God willing. Isn’t this what we want the most as Christian parents?
Did you know that Woman of Noble Character has a shop? Yes! And we have an awesome array of printables including matching games and 30 days of prayer for kids plus more! Check it out here or by clicking the image below.
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