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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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)

13. 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……………