One of the most effective ways for a child to memorize a verse is to “see” what it means … whether this is through a photo or other visual or an activity.
For example …
Matthew 27:17 relates the event where Christ told Peter to find his tax money in a fish’s mouth. (Wouldn’t you like to find your tax money by fishing?) Peter complied … and found the money. That fish is called St. Peter’s fish (a kind of tilapia) and is still common today. Although the tilapia we get in our stores today is different from the fish talked about in the Bible, it is similar. Why not serve tilapia for dinner (or suggest the parents of your clubbers serve it)? Look up St. Peter’s fish on Google images.
1 Corinthians 9:25 – Paul describes the strict training of an athlete. Invite a Christian athlete to club to talk about his or her training. (A marathon runner would be a good choice. Many train for months.)
Proverbs 25:20 is a verse that is especially fun for kids and easy for them to memorize when explained.
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
1. Read the verse together. Discuss the meaning. How would they feel if someone took away their coat on a freezing, cold day? How do they feel if something goes wrong (they receive a bad grade, or they get sick on the day they were to play in the big game) and a friend laughs at their misfortune?
Like –
“I kicked the soccer ball further than you! Na-na-na-na-na-na-na.”
“Mom says I can stay up later than you can. You’re just a baby, baby, baby …”
2. Set a clear cup or glass in a pan.
3. Put ¼ cup baking soda into the glass. (That’s the soda talked about in the verse. Some translations use the word nitre.)
4. Add ¾ cup vinegar.
5. Watch the mixture foam up and bubble over. (Lots of fun.)
Repeat the verse several times, thinking of the steps of the experiment as you do so.
What other verses can you think of that lend themselves to an activity or visual to help with the memorization?
