Speaking Scripture
Not too long ago, I was convicted that I needed to start incorporating Scripture into my children's day more fully. I had been using a few scriptures when I was correcting them, but that was it. It became obvious to me how damaging that could be for them as they begin to build their understanding of God. Do I want them to form the perception that God only cares about them acting this way or that way, without teaching them about how deeply he loves and cares for them? (Obvious answer alert) No.
These thoughts were affirmed this week during a meeting for the "nursery" workers at church. We were reminded of this passage from Deuteronomy 11:
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
I realized how little I speak Scripture to my children. And I realize that part of the reason I don't is because I don't have my own heart and mind fixed on it. I don't "know it."
My children do a program at church, part of which focuses on scripture memorization. And I think this is great. But, I don't "push" them to memorize these scriptures. Why? Because I don't want to burn them out trying to remember things that don't have real meaning to them. What I DO want, is to use scripture that is applicable in their daily lives and work on remembering those. I think this will, for now, serve them better than memorizing something they don't really relate to. (Don't get all hyper on me. I am not denying there is a need to teach about things that they may not necessarily be experiencing right now. But I think you all know what I mean.)
But, to do this, I need to actually know some scripture that I can call upon from MY OWN memory, whenever they experience different things. In other words, I need to make like a Girl Scout and - be prepared.
So, here is a list that I am developing for myself to work on. A list of scriptures that I can speak to my children whenever the need arises or the opportunity presents itself.
Psalm 118: 6 - The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
James 5:13 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Philippians 2:14-15a - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure
Proverbs 22:9 - A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.
Psalm 48:14 - God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.
Hosea 14:9 - The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them.
2 Chronicles 20:20 - Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld.
Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord orgave you.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.
Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go," says the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10 - We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Isaiah 57:2 - Those who walk uprightly enter into peace.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are they who keep God's statutes and seek him with all their heart.
Proverbs 19:16 - He who obeys instruction guards his life.
John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
Proverbs 14:23 - All hard work brings a profit.
John 15:10 - If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Fathers' commands and remain in his love.
These are just a few that I picked out because, if they weren't simple enough for my young children to understand, I thought I would be able to easily explain them. There are so many, really, I think this list could go on forever. (There are one or two I wanted to add, but they escaped my brain as I was writing...)
I'm wondering what scriptures you all like to speak to your children.
These thoughts were affirmed this week during a meeting for the "nursery" workers at church. We were reminded of this passage from Deuteronomy 11:
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
I realized how little I speak Scripture to my children. And I realize that part of the reason I don't is because I don't have my own heart and mind fixed on it. I don't "know it."
My children do a program at church, part of which focuses on scripture memorization. And I think this is great. But, I don't "push" them to memorize these scriptures. Why? Because I don't want to burn them out trying to remember things that don't have real meaning to them. What I DO want, is to use scripture that is applicable in their daily lives and work on remembering those. I think this will, for now, serve them better than memorizing something they don't really relate to. (Don't get all hyper on me. I am not denying there is a need to teach about things that they may not necessarily be experiencing right now. But I think you all know what I mean.)
But, to do this, I need to actually know some scripture that I can call upon from MY OWN memory, whenever they experience different things. In other words, I need to make like a Girl Scout and - be prepared.
So, here is a list that I am developing for myself to work on. A list of scriptures that I can speak to my children whenever the need arises or the opportunity presents itself.
Psalm 118: 6 - The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
James 5:13 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Philippians 2:14-15a - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure
Proverbs 22:9 - A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.
Psalm 48:14 - God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.
Hosea 14:9 - The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them.
2 Chronicles 20:20 - Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld.
Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord orgave you.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.
Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go," says the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10 - We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Isaiah 57:2 - Those who walk uprightly enter into peace.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are they who keep God's statutes and seek him with all their heart.
Proverbs 19:16 - He who obeys instruction guards his life.
John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
Proverbs 14:23 - All hard work brings a profit.
John 15:10 - If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Fathers' commands and remain in his love.
These are just a few that I picked out because, if they weren't simple enough for my young children to understand, I thought I would be able to easily explain them. There are so many, really, I think this list could go on forever. (There are one or two I wanted to add, but they escaped my brain as I was writing...)
I'm wondering what scriptures you all like to speak to your children.
posted by 
at 10:57 PM
15 Comments:
LOOOVE this post. Great info here - I'm bookmarking it. And printing it. You covered just about every area I can think of...I don't do nearly enough in this area, but this post has really encouraged me. Thanks, Lori.
Lori, Target has this cool index card thing- in the Real Simple office supply section. Index cards all attached, three colors. I started one when I was in Texas, verses to convict/growth; verses to strengthen/comfort; verses to pray for others.
I'm printing out this list for there are mighty good ones here I can use. Cant remember where but read recently importance of scripture memorization and doing so by daily putting verses in places I'll be to go over them.
Great post - great idea - great verses. Thanks.
What great scriptures to speak to small kids. I'm printing it out, too. Thanks for the reminder that we should speak Scripture all the time to our children, not just in correction.
One verse that we've been repeating A LOT lately, with sibling rivalry running rampant in our household, is "Do to others as you would have them do to you." I explain that if it's not something you would like your brother/sister to do to you, then you shouldn't do it to them. Might be one to add to the list. Great list, by the way. I might follow everyone else's lead and print it off. Thanks for provoking and leading us spiritually, Lori!
BooMama sent me over here - I'm glad she did. Thanks for such a great post!
Have you seen the children's scripture sing-along tapes? These are great. Many of the scriptures I know I learned as a song in children's church and youth group. I have taught my kids all the ones I know, and we learned some new ones from tapes I bought them.
More verses to add to your list:
Beloved, let us love one another... 1 John 4: 7-8
Be ye kind one to another... Ephesians 4:32
Seek ye first the kingdom of God... Matthew 6:33
Ask and it shall be added unto you... Matthew 7:7
The Lord is my light and my salvation... Psalm 27:1
It's easier to learn verses that are set to music, and once learned they aren't easily forgotten. Remember Schoolhouse Rock? That's where I learned the preamble, and 30 years later, I still remember it.
I love this list. I correct my children with scripture too. My mom did it to me and I HATED it... and now I do it to my kids!
I was talking to my mom about it and she said that her mom did it to her (and she hated it just as much) and my grandma's mom did it to her. And then my mom said the most profound thing, "The thing with correcting with scripture is, there is NO WAY to refute it. The child can't come back and say, 'but mom'" That's been in my head ever since. It is so true.
I'm the same... I want them to know the scriptures, but they don't have to know where they are in the Bible. I want them to know that following God is a daily choice that encompasses every aspect of living. Often, I will incorporate a story/situation from the Bible if it applies to their situation. That has been very good for them because they will make those references too.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24
Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Phil 4:4
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Lk 6:31
And this one is one of my favorites. It can be used when they just won't let you sleep...
If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Pr 27:14
Great reminder and idea Lori! I love it! And everyone else has added some more great verses and ideas!
Yup I've bookmarked this page.
Great post. thank you for the scriptures. i have not been good about this at all lately. thanks for the reminder.
I realized how little I speak Scripture to my children. And I realize that part of the reason I don't is because I don't have my own heart and mind fixed on it. I don't "know it."
That's how it is with me and I want to encourage my four with scripture more. I think I have an aversion to memorization. But reading the Word doesn't always help it to sink in. We have to write it on our hearts through memorization.
A while ago I put a bunch of scripture to tunes. I can still quote some of them. I think I'll go back and pull them out.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder!
I really appreciate this post. This is obviously something I need to incorporate in my interaction with the kids. I often tell them what God does or doesn't expect, but I don't quote scripture. Thanks for the push. (And did you find any scripture that deals with potty training?)
I sit down with my kids in the morning ages 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, and 5 years old. We read out of a toddlers bible. Then each gets to pick childrens church song. Then we each say a prayer of whatever is on their heart. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and it is such a wonderful time together! We love it.
Thanks for this post. I hope that more mums can add to it as we teach our children about God. For me, i take chances to them them how God protects them from falls and hurts and how God heals them when they are sick.
Your list is excellent. Here are two we like:
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones." --Proverbs 17:22
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." --1 John 4:18
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