Is there real value in memorizing Bible verses? Do they play a role in shaping our children’s and grandchildren’s worldview and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ? Do we really need to commit verses to memory when most of us, children included, have the Bible easily accessible on our phones, tablets, and the Internet? Why is Scripture memory so important?
At a conference with our youth group, I vividly remember the speaker challenging us by asking believers to remain standing if they had memorized at least one verse for every year they had followed Christ. Watching the room sit down, quickly, was both eye-opening and humbling. I found myself counting how many I truly knew—and if I could point to where they were located in the Bible.
The speaker was not saying Scripture memory is discipleship or the measure of spiritual maturity. He was reminding us that God’s Word is nourishment for our hearts and minds. We get to soak it up. Scripture memory is one natural by-product of walking closely with Jesus every day.
Flashback with me to a warm afternoon when I was in sixth grade. I had grown up in church, but that day I became angry and made a very poor choice. My parents helped me memorize Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry and sin not.” They didn’t just make me memorize it—they taught me how to live it. I still got angry at times, but Scripture shaped how I responded. It helped me see that my emotions never give me permission to harm others with my words or actions. God’s Word never returns void. It was teaching me how to walk with Him.
Think for a moment: how many song lyrics do you know by heart? Nursery rhymes? The Pledge of Allegiance? The Preamble to the Constitution? If those words can live in our long-term memory, how much more valuable is it to store to up His Words in our hearts?
Even with Google, Siri, ChatGPT, and Bible apps at our fingertips—our hearts still need Scripture tucked inside them. Here is why.
- Scripture memorization strengthens the developing worldview of our children. Hiding God’s Word helps develop truth that lasts. Children begin forming their worldview around 15 months of age and it’s almost entirely formed by age 13. For most people, research shows, it is unlikely to change over the remainder of their lives (Barna, 2023).
- Scripture memory helps us face spiritual battles. We are instructed to “take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17b. We must be intentional in building a firm foundation for our children. Take time to memorize Scripture as a family; it is good for everyone. Psalm 119 reminds us that storing God’s Word in our hearts helps us not to sin against God.
- Jesus modeled it to us. Matthew 4:4 informs us that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Christ gave us the perfect example of how to withstand temptation—confront it with Scripture!
How can families naturally and joyfully weave Scripture memory into everyday life and allow it to shape us from the inside out? If babies begin forming their worldview before two years old, and by early teens, it is solidified. We must act early and often, shaping them into who God is calling them to be.
- With your babies, read the Bible to them. Teach them Scripture nuggets, even set to songs. They can learn “God made the World, God made me, God loves me, I can make bad and good choices, etc.” Speak Scripture over them during ordinary moments. Sing short, truth-filled phrases as you buckle car seats, rock them to sleep, or play on the floor.
- As kids grow, continue expanding on those first nuggets and building more Truth. Teach them why we know God made the World—Genesis 1:1. Teach them the meaning and application of verses like John 3:16, Romans 3:23, John 1:1, John 14:6, and other key verses. Don’t just have your kids memorize them, repeat them daily, and talk about what they look like in their real-life application. Read a verse or chapter while eating breakfast as a family and discuss it on your car ride. Talk about them when you are at home, incorporate it into your bedtime prayers; saturate their lives with Scripture. Does that sound a little biblical? This is what Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs us to do. You do not have to rush at memory like it is a checklist; instead, meditate on them and repeat them often.
- As your children grow to early elementary age, continue building an even stronger foundation. Choose verses, as a family, based on what you are experiencing in life. Just dwell on them and let them soak into your being. Linger on them as long as necessary so they can deeply penetrate your hearts and minds. Some verses can be grasped quickly, while others need to marinate for a while. The Romans Road to Salvation is a great set of verses to add to memory and understanding (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9–10, 13). As are The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18), and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17). Let your kids share how the verses impacted their day. Look for ways to tenderly connect Scripture and daily life. The Word will become a normal part of our daily lives. It happens naturally—not as a checklist we are adding to our day.
- Church Training Service (CTS) Bible Memorization provides a wonderful structure, even if your children do not participate in CTS exhibition. By the end of their high school years, they may have learned as many as 600 passages!
- Make review a normal part of life—not a test you pass or fail. Reviewing verses and being in His Word throughout our lives keeps it fresh and deepens our understanding. Www.biblememory.com is a fun way to learn Scripture and commit it to long-term memory.
- Rob Morgan has a book entitled 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart. He provides 100 verses to begin your journey and offers excellent tips on committing them to memory.
Scripture memory is not about performance, who knows the most, or impressing others. It is about helping us remember what is true, honorable, pure, and lovely. As God’s Word settles into our hearts and minds, it shapes how we see the world, respond to challenges, and love others.
Start small. Be consistent. Let the Word live in your homes and lives.
Then watch how it quietly forms a faith that lasts!
