A couple weeks ago my older three began the AWANA program at a local church.
Never heard of it? I hadn’t really either. I knew it was something churches did but no clue what it really was. I was beyond thrilled to discover it’s a kind of Bible memory verse training! Even more thrilling was to find out that it’s FREE! Oh so thankful! So thankful for the willing hearts that come together {that volunteer} to help teach these young ones how to memorize. I had tried in the past to do this on my own but there’s something about coming alongside other followers to encourage each other to hide His word in our hearts!
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
(Psalm 119:10-16 ESV)
So my children have their papers in hand and have begun memorizing! The sound of scripture echoing throughout our house is one of the most beautiful noises I have ever heard. My oldest has taken to using Ann Voskamp’s method of memorizing. She simply takes the first letter of each word and writes it down.
{you can see here that she’s memorizing Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God}
Whereas with my four year old we are singing the scriptures. It’s so beautiful. Their pure hearts have encouraged me to go through and memorize James. This first-letter-of-each-word method really is wonderful and easy. {thank you, Ann, for the suggestion}
Since it is the beginning of the year I want to encourage you to seek out a church that is offering this wonderful program. Your children will greatly benefit. And you can not have them only do this on AWANA nights. Be aware every day that we need to be reading His word and sealing it within us. If you homeschool make this part of their daily schedule. If you’re not homeschooling make it part of the afterschool homework. Or even better, memorize the scriptures as a family in the mornings and evenings. Encourage one another to stand firm in faith and in truth.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
(Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV)
Blessings!
