If a kid won't quote, neither should he (or she!) eat!

We've recently started a pew packers program at our local congregation, and my kids are loving it!  We meet a few minutes before services (15-20), and one of the men of our congregation leads the kids in some "vbs" songs and memory work.   When a child can say the books of the Bible to an elder, he or she gets an engraved medal.  When a child has memorized a card of Bible knowledge, he or she earns a trophy.   My kids were both able to do these tasks in just a few weeks, and many people have asked me how we did it.   My response?  "If you don't let them eat until they say it, they learn it quickly!"

Now, before you call DCS on me to report malnutrition and neglect, let me explain!  :)

At every meal, while I am finishing getting drinks and/or food on the table, we work on Bible facts.  Breakfast and lunch we were working on our cards of knowledge, and at dinner we'd do memory verses.  Together.  As a family.  Which meant that my husband and I had to get on board and learn them as well so that we could quiz the kids and so they could quiz us!   It turned something that could have been drudgery into something fun, somewhat competitive, and definitely worthwhile!   It's simple to implement.  Here's how.

Before your next meal, announce your plans to your kids.

Choose somewhere to start...a list, a verse, whatever!!

Go through it several times as a family and then have everyone try it on their own.  Perfection is not the desired result.  Repetition, working together, and learning about God's word IS.  Start small and add on as you go!  If you have a list, learn one or two at a time and add to it. Then, before anyone can eat, hold each person accountable for quoting part (or all!) of what you've learned!

Seriously, this only takes a few minutes a day!  If you just can't manage time together to eat as a family, use time in the car or any other time you're together.  Waiting rooms are a good place to do short quizzes. 

We keep a poster/chart of what we have learned taped to our kitchen wall so that we can review previously learned topics as we incorporate new ones.  Sometimes we make it a competition (who can answer first, loudest, quietest, etc.), sometimes we do it together, but always we make it fun!!  Don't make it boring, or it will become a chore and not a joy.

No child is too young to start this!  Even if he or she can't talk, learning is taking place!  You never know when Scripture will pop out of your sweet little one's mouth!  Good luck!