Fun Ways to Memorize Scripture
What’s your go-to method for remembering important things? Personally, I like to. What about remembering Scripture? Can you memorize Scripture the same way? Memorizing Bible verses is important, but it can be hard. It can be hard for kids, too, but this is the time of their lives when they can more easily memorize and then have that truth in their heart for the rest of their life. Today, I have four methods you can use with kids to help them memorize Scripture.
The first idea is to make verse cards with the kids. Hands-on learners will memorize more easily if they write the verse down and put it in a visible place. Verse cards can also be helpful for visual learners and for artsy kids. Write the verse simply or with special lettering art, or draw pictures next to the verse to remind kids of what the verse means. For example, you can draw hearts, people, and the earth on your John 3 verse 16 card to remind you that God loves the people of the world. This is a chance for you and the kids to get creative. Then, encourage kids to put their work of art somewhere they’ll see it every day. Like their bedroom, bathroom, or schoolbag. Challenge them to say the verse out loud whenever they see it to help them remember it.
The second idea is to learn the verse with music! I know a lot of kids who learn songs the first time they hear them. I’m sure you know kids who can sing their favorite musical soundtrack without missing a single lyric. It’s a fun way to help kids remember Scripture without trying too hard. U-Nite TV offers free online verse song music videos. These can be used at home or in a Sunday school classroom. You can sign up for the U-Nite TV app at unite.cefonline.com. 
My third suggestion is to set goals with kids. This isn’t a memorization method, exactly, but it’s a great way to motivate kids to memorize Scripture. It may take a while for kids to see the spiritual rewards of Scripture memory, but they can have a short-term reward to look forward to when they set goals. Help kids even further by visualizing their goals. You can make a simple chart with the kids’ names and the verses they want to memorize. There are lots of creative ideas for making charts on Pinterest or other places online. Charts help with a sense of accomplishment on the way to the larger goal. You can offer a prize for when they reach their goal
My final suggestion is to play memory verse games. Games are a great way for kids to see that memorizing verses can be fun. Here are a couple game ideas. The first game is called “Choose a Letter.” For this game, you’ll need the verse visualized on a flashcard or on a whiteboard where they can all see it. Read the verse together, then let one kid choose a letter found in the verse. Pick a second kid to choose an action. Read the verse again, but this time do the chosen action whenever you read a word with the chosen letter. For example, if the first kid chose the letter “a” and the second chose “hop” the whole group would hop every time they read a word with the letter “a”. Another game you can play is “Follow the Leader.” For this game, the kids repeat the verse as they follow the motions and movement of the teacher or another “leader.”
For kid-friendly resources that encourage kids to memorize scripture, sign up for our U-Nite TV app just for kids at unite.cefonline.com.

1. Craft Into Memorization
Memorizing Scripture can be lots of fun and it’s a great habit for kids to form. A great way to help artsy kids learn Bible verses is to make verse cards together. You can just write the verse down or get creative by drawing it out with special lettering and coloring it in or by drawing pictures next to the verse to remind the kids of what the verse means. This is a chance for you and the kids to get creative. Then, encourage them to put their work of art in a place where they’ll see it every day and challenge them to say it when they see it. For more ideas go to cefonline.com and read the full article, “Fun Ways to Memorize Scripture.” 

2. Learn Verses Through Music
Music is a great way to remember things—especially Scripture! I’m sure you know kids who can sing their favorite musical perfectly. Why not use that to help kids memorize the truth of God’s Word? U-Nite TV offers free online verse song music videos. These are great to use both at home or in a classroom. Here’s a sample: [play part of Ephesians 4:32] You can sign up for the free U-Nite TV app at unite.cefonline.com.

3. Memory Verse Goals
Kids will benefit from learning how to set goals, and it’s a great way to help them memorize Scripture. Goals give a short-term reward kids can look forward to. You can make a simple goal chart with a kid’s name and the verses they want to memorize. You can look online to find lots of creative ideas for making charts. I’ve found that a goal of 10 verses is a great start. When kids memorize one of the verses on their chart, let them put a sticker on it or star it with a marker to show they’ve made another step in reaching their goal. Encourage kids with a prize for completing their chart.  To read the full article, “Fun Ways to Memorize Scripture,” go to cefonline.com. 

4. Learn Verses Through Games
When kids learn Scripture through games, learning doesn’t feel so hard! Games are a great way for kids to see that memorizing verses can be fun. Games help solidify the verse in their minds. Here’s a couple ideas you can play with kids. For the game “Choose a Letter” have one kid pick a letter while a second kid picks an action. As you say the verse together, do that action when they say a word with that letter. Another is “Follow the Leader.” For this game, the kids repeat the verse as they follow the motions and movement of the teacher or another “leader.” For more ideas, read the full article, “Fun Ways to Memorize Scripture,” at cefonline.com.