Grade school age children are at one of the best ages to work on Scripture Memorization due to both their age level characteristics and psychosocial stage in life.

How Age Level Development Affects Grade School Children & Scripture Memorization:

Grade school children will be able to think more and more abstractly the older they become which means they can comprehend a different set of verses than younger children. Be careful, however, because they still will have a tendency to take things literally.

Their logical reasoning abilities become greater and greater as they get older so they can make better connections with longer verses. As communicated in a previous post on Preschoolers and Scripture Memory, young children may only be able to memorize part of a Bible verse. It was suggested that you use verses that help preschoolers begin to develop a biblical world view. Once children get to the grade school age, you can add to those verses to further support and strengthen a biblical worldview.

For example, at the preschool level, they might have memorized “God created the heavens and the earth.” As grade school children, they will better understand the concept of time so you can add “In the beginning” to Genesis 1:1.

Grade school children tend to have a greater sin consciousness so having them memorize a verse like Psalm 119:11 can provide them with motivation to memorize Bible verses. — “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Because grade-schoolers are able to see sin for what it is, this is a good age level to have them memorize verses that teach God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. Memorizing verses used in what has come to be called the Romans Road to Salvation can be a great starting place in helping them personally understand but also for those children who have put their trust in Jesus to have a tool to share with others.

Click on the image to view an enlarged version in Pinterest and repin.

Here is a different way to present these verses — Romans Road Signs. When you click on the image to the left, you will find commentary on the signs.

Want a version of the above without the verses to use as a cue card?

– Romans Road Signs - JPG image
– Romans Road Signs - PDF (2 to page)

Other verses pertaining to salvation that would be good for this age to learn:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (Jn. 14:6)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Of course, younger grade school children may still be at a stage of memorizing only part of the longer verses above. As they get to upper grade school ages, they can learn the remainder of the verses.

How the Psychosocial Stage of Grade School Children Affects Memorizing Bible Verses:

Grade-schoolers are at a industrious psychosocial stage as they begin school, get into sports, etc. Because of this drive and energy to successfully accomplish things, this age will tend to work at memorizing unlike other ages.

If they don’t get positive responses from the people around them or if they struggle to do well in what they set out to accomplish, they could develop a sense of inferiority. What better age to help instill within them, through Scripture memorization . . .

. . . the need to do what they for the glory of God.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16) … Remember, in using this verse, that they need to be able to understand what it means to let their light shine, that is is not a literal light.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Col. 3:23)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

. . . the need to do what they do by the power of God.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

. . . the need to focus on the greatest thing they could ever do.

Jesus replied:  ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 22:37-39)

Since this is such a good age for Scripture memory, make sure Bible teachers have a good understanding of how to effectively teach for Scripture memorization. Click below for a worksheet that will give them some pointers.

Effective Scripture Memorization Worksheet Download

Understanding the age level being taught is so important in teaching, even affecting Scripture memorization.

Tool for Training: Age Level Characteristics Download

Some age characteristics for teachers to remember relative to helping young children memorize scripture:

1) They are concrete thinkers.

Avoid verses that contain symbolism. For example, in John 10:9 Jesus said, “I am the door.” A preschooler will liken Jesus to a literal door, not getting the abstract correlation of Jesus being our means or entrance way to salvation.

2) Their vocabulary and ability to communicate is still in the early stages.

Sentence structure should be short and not complex. For this reason you will often use just a part of a verse that makes sense. The younger the child, the shorter the phrase should be. As the children get older, more can be added to the verse.

Click on image to enlarge in Pinterest and Repin.

Some Bible verses appropriate for the preschool age level:

Since preschool children are just beginning to develop a world view, you should think about verses and concepts that will help them develop a biblical world view about themselves and the world around them.

“God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Ps. 139:14)

“Believe in the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 16:31)

“The Lord is good to all.” (Ps. 145:9)

“Love the Lord your God.” (Matt. 22:37)

“He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)

“Children, obey your parents.” (Eph. 6:1)

“Love one another.” (Jn. 13:34)