Author: Kelly Patchin
I believe one of the best ways to help your children remember the Bible is to have them tell you the story. For centuries the Bible was an oral tradition for the people of Israel. They would tell stories from generation to generation. When you tell a story it becomes less about memorization and more about accuracy of the story itself. It also opens doors for dramatization and other fun ways of sharing stories. Your older children will enjoy sharing the stories with their siblings, and you will enjoy the moments you create.
At Christmas we like to have the children share the stories, and on Christmas Day we have a dramatic presentation of the story. It is important to look at it as creating a memory with your children, and impressing the truth on their hearts. When the Bible is made memorable it is also made memorize -able. It is a form of Christian multitasking. It is also fun as a couple to talk about building memories around the Bible, you are training them up in the way God would want you to. �
Age appropriate training can even apply to building memories. With a child 0-3 it is about you sharing the story with them, think about where you do it, sit in front of a fireplace, have a special place. From 3-6 work on the simple story line, have them tell you the story and make sure they have the main points of the story, dramatization of the story is exciting for them, and it will create some laughable moments for you. When they get to be 7-12 the “why” of the story should be understood and more detail should be given by your child. Ask them to repeat the story and ask questions about “why” God put it in the Bible. You will never be fully prepared to answer all their questions, but that is ok too, you can find answers together as a family. At age 13-18 it should become their story, their belief, and their memory. Have them learn to share it with their siblings. Let them lead a devotional time. Maybe coordinate a drama. After others have shared the story have them fill in any missing parts. At this age you are giving them tools that will last a lifetime.
Creating memories around the Bible has a fun way of impressing on the heart and not just the head, but in the end you can accomplish both. One way to do this is pull a verse out of the story for the family to memorize together. The most powerful truth in your life is the one God is revealing to you today. One problem is that we are too forgetful; we forget the stuff we should remember, and remember things we should forget. Remember, the truth turned into a memory is an ever present memory in the storehouse of the mind; it also is an eternal truth that will not fade away. Have fun building eternal memories in the hearts and minds of your children this Christmastide.
Next Week’s Author: Tricia Hodges
“Creating memories around the Bible has a fun way of impressing on the heart and not just the head, but in the end you can accomplish both.” I so agree! As parents we truly want to impress the heart and not just the head! Thank you for the wonderful example of how to do this!
The most powerful truth in your life is the one God is revealing to you today. I love that! Yes, the most meaningful to us will surely be evident to our children. Thank you for sharing these truths plus the step by step how tos!