If you look on WikiHow today, three of the most popular subjects are:
- How to be a boat captain.
- How to reheat bread.
- How to treat a chicken for bumblefoot.
The point is, we have “how tos” for just about anything.
But what about memorizing a verse?
Many kids who enter our Awana programs (or any children’s ministry program) have not had experience memorizing. And some of their parents haven’t memorized a verse either.
Those of us who have grown up in church and have been memorizing verses since we were kids sometimes forget that kids (and parents) don’t know how to do so.
So, here’s a fun challenge. This summer, create a “how to” memorize a verse plan. You can make it kid-friendly and hand out a printed form to parents and kids next fall or you can put it on a church web page. Make it accessible and easy to understand. Or, you might want to design a “How to memorize” kit in a sandwich bag. Include the instruction sheet, some colorful index cards, a fun pen and some stickers.
Here are some steps.
- Check what verses you need to learn for the next week.
- Write the verses on index cards.
- Read the first verse out loud. Do you know how to pronounce all the words?
- Do you know the definitions of all the words? If not, look them up in the dictionary or in your handbook.
- Divide the verse into phrases.
- Read the first phrase, then recite the phrase over and over, concentrating on the meaning and the words.
- Figure out a way to remember any words that mess you up. For instance, let’s say the verse reads: “in as much as.” You are having difficulty remembering how the order of the words go. Think of a sentence that you can remember – “I am Melinda Anderson” that will help you recall the words.
- Add a phrase – once you memorize the first one. When you memorize the first two phrases, add the third, etc.
- Say the completed verse to a parent (or whoever is available).
- Learn the second verse.
- Practice the first and second verse together after you’ve learned them both.
- Say the memorized verses to another person.
Provide a kit/instruction sheet for any new clubbers the first night next fall and keep some kits/instruction sheets available for new clubbers who start midyear.
And if your chicken has bumblefoot … I know where you can get the answer.
