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”.
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!
I am so pleased to have found your website! I am homeschooling our two daughters here in London, UK. Your resources will be so helpful….I love this copywork and also that it is in the version we use – the NKJV. Thank you and God bless you!
thank you so much for sharing all this hard work! I am a pastor’s wife who was looking for Sermon on the Mount lessons for kids and found you through Google! I will be reading everything you’ve posted! Thank you for sharing your ministry! You do everything with an excellent spirit! Beautiful ideas and work!