Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~Psalm 119:11
Each method of learning creates its own pathway in the brain. The more methods you use, the more pathways are created, making a memory significantly stronger and easier to retrieve later. At Sword & Honey, we apply this to learning Scripture.
Show Illustrations
Say the passage with the students once or twice daily while showing them the pictures. If they are old enough to read, you may want to flip the flashcards around to let them read the verse on the back at first. Once they are familiar with it, only show them the front side while you read from the back to keep them on track.
Use Motions
Create motions that your students can use to reinforce their memory. Do it the same way each time. Don’t be afraid to be dramatic.
Example: For every kind of beasts, and of birds (flap your arms like wings), and of serpents (wiggle your arm like a snake), and of things in the sea (ripple your hands for waves), is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: but the tongue (point to mouth) can no man tame (shake your finger from left to right for each word of “no man tame”)…
Color
Use the coloring pages as a way to familiarize them with the illustrations and to make Bible Memory fun.
Explain
Memorizing a passage is worthless if the meaning is not understood. When you start memorizing a new passage, take a devotional period to explain it verse by verse. Point out how the pictures relate to the verse. Help them apply it to their own lives. Ask a few questions each day to make sure they remember and understand the meaning.
Review
The students are given a month to learn each passage. That gives plenty of time to learn it well plus review the passages they have already learned. Designate a certain day of the week to review so that the passages move from temporary working memory to permanent storage in their long-term memory.
Another way to review is to use the SWORD & HONEY Board Game that challenges the players to recall a verse to keep from going backwards, getting stuck, or switching with an opponent. Use discount code 5OFFGAME to get $5 off. It’s a fun, interactive way to review passages they’ve already learned.