Scripture memory is one of the great spiritual disciplines that continues to decline in our homes and lives. I think there are many reasons for this. Let's just be honest - we are just too busy and too lazy to do it. We are fearful that someone might label us as a legalist (ahh!!!) and maybe, just maybe, we even doubt that God's Word is what It says It is - the living and active very breath of God to us and to our children. If we really believed, wouldn't we move the mountains of our schedules and agendas to instill this discipline in our children to get God's Word into their hearts ... into our own hearts? We may memorize a verse here and there or parts of verses with our children, but rarely do we discipline ourselves to memorize entire thoughts and passages of the Bible. Memorizing involves time and meditating and faithful repetition and review. So yes, it's work! It's hard! It takes sacrifice!
I often fall into the above categories I mentioned and have to be purposeful in this discipline. For us, the time at the table is when we memorize. I have them captive (haha!) three times a day. What a great opportunity! I have a chalkboard with our verses, a piece of paper, or just my Bible at the table at all times - so it is there, staring me in the face. Do not underestimate what little minds can do! Haven't we seen that our children can memorize a book or a story or movie after just one time through? Think of the eternal inheritance you are building for them with the Word of God by reading it to them every day and committing it to memory! Even my little girl could fill in the blanks on long passages before she even turned two. Maybe you don't have your children at the table each day, but maybe you have them in the car or walking to the bus. Be creative and purposeful. Start with verse one and build on that each day. Have your really little ones just fill in the word "God." They will love participating and will pick up more than you think.
Day 2: Prologue: The Divine Genealogy
This passage begins with a beautiful poem of Who Christ is: His Person and His work. Important words and themes are introduced which you should point out to your children - Jesus is the "word" and Jesus is the "light." Also, light vs. darkness and belief vs. unbelief are important to make note of. For older children, you may even want to have them find these repeated themes throughout the book of John as you go.
This passage begins with a beautiful poem of Who Christ is: His Person and His work. Important words and themes are introduced which you should point out to your children - Jesus is the "word" and Jesus is the "light." Also, light vs. darkness and belief vs. unbelief are important to make note of. For older children, you may even want to have them find these repeated themes throughout the book of John as you go.
- Reading: John 1:1-18
- Memory passage: John 1:1-14
- Song for the week: In Christ Alone
- Activity: Talk about light vs. darkness. Point out things that are light and things that are dark. Read the book Fool Moon Rising.
- Psalm for meditation: Psalm 119:9-16
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