Memorization is such a natural thing for children. I am always amazed how much information children can learn and learn well in such short amount of time. There is the surface memory work that most students learn early on is needed to pass a test. Then there is the deeper memory work that if practiced and exercised on a regular basis will last a life time. When I ask my children or my students to memorize scripture, I want it to be that deeper memorization that will last with them.

I recently had a conversation with my son attending college. He was STILL questioning all the memory work I had required of him while he was growing up. He didn’t see that it had served him much purpose because he couldn’t sit and quote the passages for me. To be able to quote scripture or poetry or anything you memorize at a moments’ notice, it must be practiced on a daily or nearly a daily basis. Of course, he couldn’t quote it for me right then but I know that when he hears the passage in a sermon or when he reads it on his own, it will come back to him. He had hidden it in his heart early and when he needs it or comes across it again, he will find it.

The Sermon On The Mount, as we refer to Matthew 5-7, is full of admonitions, encouraging words and beautiful teachings from the mouth of Jesus himself. What better way to spend time than to read, read, read and copy, copy, copy and memorize these 3 chapters. These words will be a storehouse of information and teachings to encourage for years to come. While the kids are memorizing it, be sure and memorize it yourself.

I helped my boys memorize these 3 chapters (we almost finished) while home schooling them. The layout very much like the I am… passages we’ve worked on as well. Instead of repeating the “how-tos”, I’ll let you visit that page and read the details.

I originally wanted my older boys (about 12 and 14 years old) to memorize the whole thing. We didn’t quite finish so I leave you stranded below. Sorry about that. As we were working on it, my 8 year old wanted to participate so I worked up a notebook for him using 6 of the passages I thought he would enjoy memorizing and taking the whole thing a little slower. Below, all the links are for the older kids unless it says “younger kids”.

Sermon On The Mount Cover

Matthew 5:3-12
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes — Younger Kids
The Beatitudes — Activity

Matthew 5:13-16
Salt and Light
Salt and Light — Younger Kids
Salt and Light — Activity

Matthew 5:17-20
The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 5:21-26
Do Not Murder

Matthew 5:27-32
Marriage

Matthew 5:33-37
Do Not Swear

Matthew 5:38-42
An Eye For An Eye

Matthew 5:43-48
Love Your Enemies

Matthew 6:1-4

Matthew 6:5-8
When You Pray

Matthew 6:9-15
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer — Younger Kids
The Lord’s Prayer — Activity

Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting

Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures In Heaven

Matthew 6:22-24
Good Eye/Bad Eye

Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry
Do Not Worry — Younger Kids
Do Not Worry — Activity

Matthew 7:1-6
Judge Not

Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Seek, Knock — Younger Kids

Matthew 7:24-27
Wise Man/Foolish Man — Younger Kids

I see I have 4 more to do. Get started with the ones above and hopefully I’ll have these finished when you get to them. Have fun!