It should not surprise you, if you have been around here for a long time, that the most important part of our homeschooling is Bible Time and Character Building! After going for a brisk walk with our dog and caring for the chickens, we gather at the table each morning, sing a hymn, and then open the Word of God together. The components have changed over the years, and this year is no exception. Our Bible Memory is going to get a little tweak. So… how are we incorporating Scripture memory in homeschool for this school year, 2026-2027? We are using the ABC Scripture Memory Challenge! Since our kids are getting older, we are tweaking this a little. Let’s look at exactly how we are incorporating it this year.
1. First, I will print out the list of ABC verses to have a master.
This is the list our children will use to find verses, which has verses categorized by the letter they begin with. You can find a copy of this HERE to download for FREE too. (I may print out a copy for each of the kids to have on their own or send them a link to it in their email. This builds responsibility.)
2. Next, I will gather small spiral notebooks for each of my children.
These are their own personal notebooks that we have used for other Bible projects and memory verses. I like this size for them because they are easy to store, and the verses do not take up a whole sheet of paper. They are able to take these with them to their rooms, outside, or in the van to study their Scriptures. But any size spiral notebook or even having index cards on a ring would work well for this project. You can also download my journal pages HERE to insert into their three-ringed notebooks.
3. Once the school year begins, I will have each of the children pick a new verse each Monday.
This verse will correspond to the letter that I have designated for each week. We will proceed by going in alphabetical order. For example, on week one, we will each pick a verse from the “A” list. The children will write the verse they have selected in their small spiral notebook. (I will allow them to select one for themselves, but you can also work together to pick a single one to work on as a group.) Since my children range from ages 8-17 this school year, I think it is important for each of them to choose one which is at their level.
4. Throughout the week, each of our children will use the time provided during Bible Time to memorize their verse.
I will also encourage them to review this verse in their free time and during their personal devotions. We have learned several techniques over the years to commit these to memory (find those HERE), so they will have plenty to choose from. If they need extra help, I am available to practice the verses with them.
5. On Fridays, our children will need to say their verses to me.
I will take the children one by one and have them privately recite the verse and reference to me. Sometimes, I may have them encourage each other by reciting them to the group. I will require mastery for them since this is a project that will grow throughout the year.
6. A few days later on Monday, the program begins again!
This time each of the children will pick a “B” verse from the list. They select their verse, write it in their spiral notebook, and begin memorizing. Their goal is to say it to me on Friday, using Bible Time and their personal time to memorize the verses.
7. After the first week, the students will begin to accumulate verses.
I plan to have them recite the verse of the week and then tell me the other verses, starting with the “A” verse. The overall goal is to have my children memorize 26 verses this school year, saying them in order from A to Z. By knowing them in alphabetical order, they will easily be able to recall them. I did this personally several years ago and will often recite my ABC verses as I am trying to fall asleep or when I am alone in the van. I have added other verses to my list, often reciting a few for each letter of the alphabet. What a great way to have the Word of God always in our minds and hearts!
As we take these intentional steps to learn more Bible verses this school year, we pray that God’s Word would do its transformative work in our hearts and minds. We never want this to just be a good exercise to stretch our minds. We desire for the verses to be an encouragement, a deterrent to sin, a guide for life, and more.
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
“Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11
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