Why Memorize God’s Word?

Provided by: By: Jeremy Oshner

Memorizing God’s Word Pleases Him

But let him that glorifieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD who excerciseth loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24

It Honors God

I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8

It Keeps Us From Sin

Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11

It’s How We Know the Truth

Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy Word is truth. John 17:7

It’s How We Share the Gospel with Others

So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17

How Do I Memorize God’s Word? (Study Methods)

3 Types of Memorization

  • Kinesthetic (tactile)
  • Auditory
  • Visual

Tactile

  • Act out the verse.
  • Use objects to stand for the words or the meanings of the words.
  • Use hand motions and sign language to reinforce the meaning of the verse.
  • Use an object toss game: toss an object to the child, have them say the next word and toss it on, etc.
  • Use plastic eggs with a word written on each. Place the eggs randomly in an egg carton. The clubber must put them in the right order.
  • Recite the verse while walking heel to toe, pacing or rocking back and forth.
  • Use a magna doodle or white board to practice the verse.
  • Make “fill-in-the-blank” memory worksheets.
  • Use the balloon pop game: write one word on a slip of paper for each balloon, pop the balloons and put words in order. Play this during Game Time.
  • Write the first letter of each word in the verse. See if you can say it…FGSLTWTHGHOBSTWBIHSNPBHEL

Auditory

  • Recite the verse together as a group. Use rhythm, emphasize same words each time, pause at same spot, identify key words or prompts.
  • Set the verse to music. Use music tapes (available in the Awana Ministry Guide), make up your own melody or use well-known melodies.
  • Choose a signal to remind the child to repeat the verse during the day or at a club. Use teachable moments to review the verse.
  • Say the verse in different tones of voice, as a mom, dad, granddad, little sister, etc.
  • Say the verse in different volumes of voice—soft to loud.
  • Replace words with a handclap. Continue to replace words until you complete the verse
  • Encourage parents to practice with their child before meals.
  • Telephone the clubber, and practice the verse or section over the phone.
  • Record the clubber saying the verse or section. Allow him or her to play it over and over.
  • Play recitation games. Send words back and forth among the clubbers.

Visual

  • Write the words, symbols or pictures of the verse on index cards, sticky notes or the chalkboard. Take away one word at a time.
  • Design a poster or mural to portray the meaning of a verse or represent the words of a verse or section. Hang it in the handbook area or Council Time room. As clubbers get to the section, they can place their names or photos under the poster.
  • Glue cereal or pasta letters on paper to spell out the verse. You could also use old magazines or newspapers for letters.
  • Use memory joggers, with symbols standing for the words of the verse.
  • Make a rebus, substituting words with pictures or symbols. Use ones that depict the word as well as the meaning.
  • Play Bible Match-Ups, a game matching the references with the verse or questions.
  • Tape references on the backs of half the clubbers and verses on the backs of the other clubbers. The clubbers need to match the verse with the reference.
  • Make puzzles. Write words of a verse on different puzzle pieces, store in labeled plastic bags, and have the clubber practice by assembling the pieces in the correct order. An alternative to this is to cover a large puzzle with paper and then remove the paper piece by piece as you ask questions about the verse. The clubber should try to say the verse before all the pieces are removed.

Do Your Kids Get It?

If clubbers don’t understand their handbook verses they’ll have trouble memorizing them.

If they do memorize the verses and don’t know their meaning they might just as well be memorizing the phone book.

There are three things that we should do as leaders to help clubbers understand their verse meaning:

1 – Be sure to explain what the words mean.

2 – Explain what the verse means.

3 – Explain what the verse means to your clubber – PERSONALLY.