BIBLE MEMORY WORK CSI BIBLE INSTRUCTION SYMPOSIUM AT THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE FEBRUARY 15-16, 2018 YVONNE H. VAN EE, PH.D.

BIBLE MEMORY WORK What do you remember? Genesis 3:15 Psalm 23 John 3:16 Romans 8:28 James 1:27 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE BIBLE MEMORY WORK? The Bible encourages it. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV It is a method that equips the child to be an effective member of God’s kingdom. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

It is a particularly useful tool for working with younger children who learn much by listening and repeating. It brings God’s word into the life of the child. Helps deepen the child’s understanding of who God is and how he wants us to live. It shapes the child’s spiritual, moral, and social development. It shapes the child’s values, life patterns, and life responses.

THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING. WHAT WE LEARN SHAPES AND GUIDES OUR MINDS ARE NOT VOIDS. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING. WHAT WE LEARN SHAPES AND GUIDES WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE BECOME, AND HOW WE ACT. IF THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT IN OUR MINDS, WHAT IS?

HOW DO YOU SELECT BIBLE MEMORY WORK? It should be related to what the students are learning in their Bible lessons. It should be relevant to the life of the learner. It should be learned in the context of the scripture where it is found. Each year at least one longer passage could/should be learned.

WHAT BIBLE TRANSLATION IS TO BE USED? Bible memory work should be from a translation and not a paraphrase Bible. New International Version English Standard Version New King James Version Use the version that is suggested in your curriculum materials. OR Use the version most commonly used in your area.

HOW DO YOU TEACH BIBLE MEMORY VERSES? Introduce it by reading the verse(s) from the Bible. Explain how the verse(s) relate to the stories Reread the verse(s) a few times Explain difficult or unfamiliar words or phrases Talk about what the verse(s) mean Ask the children first Then share what it means to you.

Encourage the students to explain the verse(s) in their own words. Continue repeating the verse(s) over several days using a variety of strategies. Encourage the students to explain the verse(s) in their own words. Do not just assign memory work and expect the students to learn it by themselves. Learning Bible verses together as a community of believers contributes to the spiritual life of the classroom.

ALWAYS KEEP PARENTS INFORMED OF BIBLE MEMORY WORK They need to know the verse(s) being learned. They need to know the Bible version being used at school.

HOW DO YOU EVALUATE STUDENT LEARNING OF BIBLE MEMORY WORK? VERY CAREFULLY Evaluate whether each child knows the words Exactly Or With some help Have them say it to you individually, with a friend, or small group Or they could say it to a recording device at a center or work space Write it – But be sensitive to length Use options given in your own curriculum And have them tell you what the verse(s) mean.

HOW DO YOU REPORT STUDENT LEARNING? Use a note or letter that the parent and child can read together. It should include: what verse(s) were learned how well the child knew the verse(s) could the child tell the meaning of the verse(s)

TEACHING ACTIVITIES (SEE ALSO YOUR CURRICULUM AND CURRICULUM WEBSITES) Disappearing Bible verses (in various forms) Choral readings Part of daily devotions Interactive Bulletin Boards Puzzles: Word search, Cut-out pieces Write it: In daily journal On art paper with markers or crayons Your ideas……………