“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
In this world where good is called evil and evil is called good, we and our children desperately need to renew our minds with the Word of God.
Lies come at us and our children – subtly and not so subtly, through so many means. But the Word of God shines His light and helps us to see clearly and discern between good and evil.
Reading the Word of God daily, reading it to our children, and having them read it for themselves once they are old enough to do so, is very important.
God’s Word brings life and it is so very helpful to have portions of it memorized. I have had my children memorize chapters, or portions of chapters, so that they can avail themselves of these life-giving words in times of need.
We take one verse at a time, working on it for three days which is usually enough time for us to have it solidly memorized, than add a verse, and work on the two verses for three days, then add another verse, and so on.
One son told me several years after graduating from our homeschooling, “You did a good job homeschooling us, Mom, but it would have been better if you had us memorize more Scripture.” I was surprised, as although he hadn’t balked at memorizing Scripture, he hadn’t given me any indication that he was loving it. But in his maturity he realized the benefit of having that much Scripture in his memory.
While the prime benefit of memorizing Scripture is for the present – it encourages, admonishes, teaches, reveals, convicts, enlightens, etc. – there is a very real danger of the Bible eventually being called “hate literature” by the powers that govern our world, and if we or our children don’t have access to a Bible, they will greatly benefit from having memorized some portions.
A good place to begin is Colossians 3:12-17…when we were working on memorizing this passage, I told my children, “If everyone lived by this alone, the world would be amazing! Another great one, especially in these turbulent times, is Psalm 46, “God is our refuges and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…”
Working with your children on memorizing Scripture is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them!
