Teaching Scripture To Your Children + NEW Video Clips

The most important thing you can teach your children is the Word of God. Time to do so needs to be scheduled in and prepared for.
One of the very best things we did for our kids, looking back, was to record Scripture for them to listen to at nap time and bedtime. Rick made CD's (tapes initially), first, of all the book of Proverbs, the most practical book in the Bible. We often, for family devotions, will read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month, (for example, on the 14th day of the month, we read Proverbs 14.) It was pretty early on that he began recording Scripture for our children. He stopped to explain difficult words and gave example stories to help the kids understand the principles given in the Word of God. We began to find that the kids learned tons of Scripture, without even trying!! When we would be reading our Proverb at night, one of the kids would pop up and finish the verse Rick had just begun reading. We'd ask how they knew it and they would say it was because of listening to their Bible tapes. Rick then began recording other portions- he did his favorite Psalms and then book of Matthew. Our kids were hiding God's Word in their hearts and we found that the Scripture would come back to them as they needed it!! It was amazing!!
Kids can learn so much faster than us adults. We also found as a side benefit that our kids had very few nightmares, as the last thing they heard before going to sleep at night was God's Word. We found they were even learning to apply what they had memorized as it became a part of their thinking. And best of all, it was so easy! We just popped a CD in before bedtime and nap time!

We now have available the Uncle Rick Complete Audio Bible Series which includes: Uncle Rick Reads the Proverbs, Uncle Rick Reads the Psalms, Uncle Rick Reads the Gospel of Matthew , Uncle Rick Tells Bible Stories Volume 1 and 2. (They are also sold separately).
We've had requests for Uncle Rick to record more and it is in the long term plans, so pray for us that we would have time to accomplish the many projects God has laid on our hearts to help equip parents to train their children to be mighty warriors for Christ. (We use Uncle Rick Bible CD's for our babies, preschool, elementary and junior high. We've had some adults write us saying they use them for devotions as a family each day.)

During the day we also had a focused time of learning God's Word, in which we would teach the children Bible verses according to their character needs. We began teaching our 2 and 3 year olds during their "special time" each day by the use of simple flashcards, verses pertinent to their needs. Initially, I just illustrated them with stick figures (I'm not an artist!) Later, when others begged us to reproduce what we'd done, I had my daughter Kate, then a young teenager, illustrate them for me.

I began with what we now call the Hide it in Their Hearts Collection of flashcards. This is a set of three, Proverbs Flashcards (which deals with practical Scriptures needed by all children) , Character Quality Flashcards which contain verses dealing with Obedience, Kindness and Gratefulness (which we felt were foundational character qualities to begin with), If/When Flashcards which guides children in making right decisions in everyday situations based on direction in God's Word. During what we called their "special time" each day, I would read the child one of these verses, explain it simply, and have them repeat me phrase by phrase. We would work on it a couple of days for very young children until they can comfortably say it, then go on to the next and each day review ones previously learned. To do this, I would hold the child or have them sit next to me and combine the physical contact with time in God's Word. Let them go at their own rate, which will probably be faster than you expect, for most children. Then when you complete one of the sets, review for a while and then start the next pack. There is no pressure to do it quickly. The goal is to learn them well and then the child will be able to internalize them and apply them to their life.

When our children got to about 2nd or 3rd grade level, I began using another set I put together to meet their needs. We call it the Daily Wisdom Flashcards. It consists of 4 sets of verses to learn. They are simple, but chosen to encourage the child to learn how to apply Scripture on a daily basis. (We use these for our preschool through early elementary) For instance, here's a couple of examples:

"Give to a Rival"

Proverbs 21:14

"A gift given in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath."

Another:

Don't be rash in answering

Proverbs 18:13

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

These two samples are from Daily Wisdom from Proverbs Set 1 which contains 82 verses.

Daily Wisdom from Proverbs Set 2 also contains 82 verses.

Daily Wisdom from the New Testament contains 58 verses

Daily Wisdom from Psalms contains 56 verses

We are using these now with Tuck, age 16, Kelley age 12 and Kasey age 10 and have been using them for a couple of years. I just let them go at their own rate, working on them for just a few minutes each day as a part of our school day and continuing in the summer as well. Tuck just recited all 82 verses for me a few weeks ago from one of the Proverbs sets. Scripture is meant to change our thinking and the way we live our life and these help them gain that wisdom. These would be appropriate for early elementary through adults.

Kari recently made up a brand new set called The Words of My Mouth: selected verses from Psalms, Proverbs, and James specifically dealing with the use of our words. What a great need that is!! Our children, like us, just need to be taught what God's Word says on different topics. (Appropriate for early elementary though adult)

I have found that as I spend time teaching God's Word to my children, I learn it to!! As a Mom you don't have lots of time to sit and study the Bible or memorize, but you are doing as you fulfill your role as teacher of your children. We all learn together!!

That is our basic Bible memorization plan, but we have also made use of several resources that have benefited our children in learning God's Word as well. Steve Green has two sets Hide em In Your Heart Volume 1 and 2 which we have thoroughly enjoyed. We have watched our little ones, and now our grandchildren, walking around singing the Word of God. They are very tastefully done. We don't allow much DVD use, but this is one of our favorites!! These are favorites with preschoolers.

Another super resource is Sing the Word. These are CD's very tastefully done by a family in NY who are extremely talented in music. They put verses to song and also each CD has tracts at the end with just the music so your kids can learn the songs and do a presentation for family and friends if you wish. These are appropriate for young children up through junior high.

Another favorite through the years has been the collection by Thy Word Creations. They have put 10 sections of Scripture to music and also provide a coloring book for your child to personalize to help learn the passage. For example, in Psalm 91: where it talks of God watching over you,(No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plaque come near your dwelling... )it encourages you to put a picture of your house on the page .

In another place, you insert a picture of your child praying. They do Psalm 91, Psalm 139, I Corinthians 13, Genesis 1 and other. These are ideal for preschoolers.

Hope this gives you some vision for teaching God's Word to your family. Remember, it's more important than academics and extra curricular activities. It is the key to raising children with passion to serve the Lord and others with their daily lives!!

For a listing of all of our Scripture Memory selections, click Here

Watch this video clip of little Lauren, 2 1/2, reciting Scripture (Ephesians 6:1-3 ) with her mom. Your kids can do this too!

Lauren reciting Romans 12:9
(Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. )