Question:  What are some interesting ways to repeat the words while helping children memorize a Bible verse?

One step in helping children memorize a Bible verse is to say the words together eight to ten times.

          Repetition is essential to learning, but it doesn't have to be boring!

          Choose one idea per verse and then vary the method you use from week to week.

          Remember you're teaching God's Word so don't use any memorization method that detracts from the message or shows disrespect.

Children enjoy all of the following ways of repeating a verse.

  Erase How Many?

Prepare six small pieces of paper numbered as follows:

Fold the papers so the numbers do not show. Write the words of the verse on a white board or chalk board, and have an eraser ready.

Repeat the verse a couple times. Then let a child select one of the numbered papers. The number indicates he may erase that many words. Then have the class say the verse but when they get to an erased word, they should stand and say it.

Let another child choose a numbered paper, erase additional words, and repeat the process of saying the verse and standing for missing words. Continue until all words are erased or there are no papers left to choose.

  Stand Up and Say It!

Announce various groups who are to stand and say the verse. For example:

• All those wearing something blue stand and say this verse.
• All those who like pizza stand and say this verse.
• All those who have at least one brother or sister . . .

To insure participation by all the children, use an opposite: All those who aren't wearing something blue . . .

Or use this: All those who are taller than one inch . . . !

  First Letters

Have the children repeat the verse and stand up every time they say a word that starts with a certain letter. You choose the first letter; then repeat the process letting children select different letters.

  Key  Phrase

Take six small pieces of paper and write on each one a word or a phrase from the verse the children are memorizing. Example:  Suppose the memory verse is Psalm 119:11

Take six more pieces of paper the same size and write one of the following messages on each piece:

        God loves you!
        You are special!
        You are God's creation!
        Come back next week!
        I'm glad you're here!
        God thinks about you!

Fold all 12 papers so the messages are hidden. Place the papers in a bag. Let a child pull one out. If the paper he chooses has words from the verse, let him lead the class in repeating the verse. If it does not have a verse phrase, let him read and keep the encouraging message.  

In the midst of repeating words remind children of the meaning, especially Biblical words like "remission" that are unfamiliar to them. A child quoting Hebrews 9:22 told his teacher, "Without shedding of blood there is no missionary!" Wrong word but an interesting thought!

  Fold the Page!

Print the words of the verse on a full sheet of paper.

After the class has repeated the verse a couple times fold the page so some of the words do not show. See if the children can still say the verse.

Unfold it and refold it in a different way and repeat the verse. Here are some folding ideas:

   Fold one or more of the corners to the back, or to the front.

   Fold in half. 

   Let the children see only the left side, then only the right side.

   Fold the paper haphazardly, any way you want to.

   Or let children take turns making one fold.

  Add-A-Word

Divide the children into two groups. Then repeat the verse as follows, each side adding one word to what the other side said.

        Group 1:    Psalm
        Group 2:    Psalm 119
        Group 1:    Psalm 119:11
        Group 2:    Psalm 119: 11, "Thy
        Group 1:    Psalm 119: 11, "Thy Word . . ."
        Group 2:    Psalm 119: 11, "Thy Word have . . ."
                And so on!

To get more action have the children stand when they speak and be seated as they listen to the other group.

If the verse is longer, add two words at a time instead of just one.

  Stand Behind Me!

After the group has repeated the verse a couple times ask for a volunteer who thinks he knows most of the words. Have the volunteer come up front, stand behind you and face away from you and the group.

Instruct the class that you are going to point to one word on the Bible verse visual. Do this! Then, they are to say the verse together, but when they reach the designated word, instead of saying it they are to clap. The child standing behind you tries to tell you what word was missing once the class completes saying the verse. Children love doing this so lots of them will want to have a turn to stand behind you.

 
Children in a Good News Club^® were memorizing Mark 16:15. Click here if you can't recall the words.

The message is quite clear but remember children have literal minds. What difference does that make? Repeating the words of Mark 16:15, using one of these methods, a child interrupted the process to ask, "What if you get tired?"

This child was sure she would wear out before spreading God's Good News to "every creature." Whew! What a job. The teacher wisely told the child, "God gives His children strength to do whatever job He wants them to do." Great response!

  Make Up Motions

Try to think of motions to go with the words of a verse. For example, to memorize Psalm 119:11 . . .

        "Thy Word" . . . Hold your two hands so they resemble an open book.

        "have I hid" . . . Close hands together so it looks like you're hiding something inside.

        "in mine heart" . . . Use your two index fingers to "draw a heart".

        "that I" . . . Point both index fingers to yourself.

        "might not sin" . . . Make hands into fists and move them like you're fighting.

        "against Thee." . . . Point both index fingers toward Heaven.

Stop and try it!

Be creative! What motions could you make up to teach Proverbs 3:6?

        Proverbs 3:6  "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

Once you have thought through possible motions you can look at what we chose by clicking here.

  Echo!

Divide your class into three groups. If possible move the groups so one is on the left side of the room or area, one in back and one on the right side.

Assign one group to be the LOUD echo, one the regular voice echo and one the whisper echo.

Shout out the verse one short phrase at a time and let each group echo your words, "loud group" first and "whisper" last. Reassign which group gets to do which kind of echo and lengthen the phrase they must repeat.

  Test Your Vision!

Use six pieces of copy paper for this method. On page one print the words of the verse large enough to fill the page. On page two reduce the size of the letters a little. Continue reducing the size of the letters on each page until the lettering on the sixth page is very little. To do this with a computer simply change the font size, starting at about 78 and ending close to ten.

Use the page with the largest print as you introduce and explain the verse. When you reach the step where you are to repeat the words ask the children, "How's your vision? I'm going to give you an eye test." Then, showing the second largest print say, "Stand up if you can read this!" They will! Let them be seated, show the next smallest size and say a bit skeptically. "Stand if you can read this!"

Repeat this process until you get to the smallest lettering. The children will have learned the words and thoroughly enjoy thinking that they're fooling you by "reading" the small print.

  That's enough methods for a couple of months. There is more to Bible memory though than just repeating words.

  To see all five steps in the Bible verse memory process, click here.

  Will you add interest to your memory verse teaching time by trying several of these methods over the next few weeks?