Engage Our Young People In Scripture Memory

By Delores Hanneman

August 2009

In a world where temptations are all around us, it is imperative that we teach our young people to combat temptation and evil with scripture.  Jesus used scripture when he was tempted—there is no better example!  Getting our children and youth to memorize scripture is one of the best ways we can help them become equipped to stand firm and remain faithful to God.

Many of our churches are using AWANA, Team Kid, or a similar scripture memory program to engage their children and youth in memorizing God’s Word.  If yours is one of those churches, continue using the materials and encouraging your leaders and young people.  If your church is NOT currently involved in any scripture memorization program, please consider Children’s and/or Youth Bible Drill offered through our KNCSB Discipling Ministry.

Each fall a number of our churches begin working with their children in grades 4-6 and youth in grades 7-12 in the current cycle of Bible Drill materials.  We have expanded Youth Bible Drill to include the 10th-12th grades for the coming year, enabling smaller churches with a limited number of youth and leaders to use the same program for all in grades 7-12.

In Children’s Bible Drill, children:

  • Learn the books of the Bible in order and are trained to find any book of the Bible in ten seconds and to give the name of the books before and after the book called
  • Memorize 25 verses from the current cycle of verses
  • Learn the titles of ten key passages and are able to find them in their Bibles within ten seconds.

Youth Bible Drill involves:

  • Learning the books of the Bible in order and being able to find any book or verse within eight seconds
  • Identifying any one of ten verses on the current cycle of verses by a phrase from that verse
  • Locating any one of ten scripture passages that deal with doctrinal and ethical issues listed on the current cycle of verses
  • Memorizing the scripture verse that answers one of the ten questions listed on the current cycle of verses

In addition to the above Bible memory programs, we also offer an opportunity for youth in grades 9-12 to share their knowledge of scripture in a four to six minute speech on a topic chosen from the current list of official titles.  The purpose of the speech may be to

  • Inform
  • Inspire
  • Persuade
  • Create concern

In all three programs, the children and youth have an opportunity to compete at the church, association and state levels.  The next State Bible Drill and Youth Speaker Tournament is scheduled for April 17, 2010 at Webster Conference Center in Salina, KS.

For both Children’s and Youth Bible Drills either the Holman Christian Standard Bible or the New International Version is used.  Brochures and Leaders/Judges’ Guides explaining each of the three programs in more detail are available from KNCSB.  Lessons and Learning Activities for each cycle of Children’s Bible Drill and memory cards are also available at no cost.  Contact Barbara Spicer at 800-984-9092or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for materials.  Delores Hanneman, KNCSB Bible Drill/Speaker Tournament Coordinator, is available to answer questions or provide training to help get started.  Contact her at 913-393-1983 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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