6 Steps to Making Scripture Stick

Make Scripture Stick by starting with a Bible passage set to MUSIC.

Neuroscientists have done all sorts of fascinating research on the brain and memory. One of the most interesting findings for our discussion of Bible memory is that music allows the brain to access information for years. Well into their 80's and 90's seniors can still remember songs they learned as a child. If you're going for scripture memory, make sure you've found a recording of the Bible verse set to music. It's essential to making it stick and it adds a whole lot more fun, too.

Make Scripture Stick by Listening Repeatedly

Studies have shown that children should listen to a song at least 7 times before trying to sing it. Though listening in the background is okay, it's better to listen intentionally with a quiet, engaging activity. At Sing, Move, and Memorize we listen and color a piece of artwork with the Scripture on it. We listen and craft with clay. We listen and move to the beat, or clap a rhythm, or dance.

Make Scripture Stick by Singing it and Using Kinesthetic Movements

After listening to the Bible passage repeatedly for several days, it's time to try singing it for yourself. The actual process of singing it independently will lock it into the brain for longer. I like to have students echo sing with me, but I make sure we're never singing at the exact same time. I sing it first and they repeat by themselves. Research has also shown that if we assign kinesthetic movements to the verse, we'll remember it for much longer. I use American Sign Language as my movements, but you can make up your own for the purposes of memorizing. When echo singing with children, show them each movement and have them copy you while they sing.

Make Scripture Stick by Playing Instruments

When Scripture memory is joyful, God's Word is joyful. Celebrate your learning by playing the song with instruments. Egg shakers and rhythm sticks are simple and cheap, or add drums, handbells, and boomwhackers.

Make Scripture Stick by Sharing it with Others

Once you've mastered a passage, go share it! Take the Word of God outside your walls and share it with friends and family, with nursing homes, at chapel or church services, with other schools. Share it musically or not. Add instruments or not. God's Word will not return empty.

Make Scripture Stick by Practicing it Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly

Go back to the passages you've learned and sing through them with movements from time to time. At Sing, Move, and Memorize we use a BONUS video in our video lessons. We throw it on for 3 minutes every month or so and remember passages we've learned throughout the year.

Interested in some curriculum to help you get started in this process? Each video bundle will provide you with a Bible verse set to music, artwork to color, video lessons that will help you learn the passages, BONUS videos, etc.