Joyful Heart Tunes
Scripture Memory for Kids

The most foundational component  in training our young children is knowing God's Word. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) My heart is concerned for the needs of my children - not just cognitively, physically, emotionally, and socially - but spiritually! Psalm 119: 9-11 states....

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you."

I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that I need to work on helping my young children hide God's Word in their hearts.  That  means that I need to hide it as well =) I have never been very good at memorizing God's Word as I should.  However, the verses I remember most are those that have been put to song, whether intended for a child or in Christian contemporary music. Those are the verses that my heart and mind seem to reflect upon the most.

I am working on aligning key Bible verses, many of them from Proverbs, to familiar children's songs such as 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star', 'Skip To My Lou', and 'London Bridge'. My goal is to have an armory of verses, guarding their hearts, for my children to take with them wherever they go. "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5)   Please pray with me as we embark on this adventure.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:2

Joyful Heart Tune Charts
Verses Aligned to Familiar Children's Songs

  Each Bible verse listed below has been aligned  to a familiar children's song.  Highlighted Bible verse references are linked to a PDF - a free printable song chart that was designed to assist your little one in memorizing God's Word. The table below will indicate whether the song chart also contains a picture and motions to accompany the memory verse.

We have placed each child's newest verse to memorize on the refrigerator.  We have also been storing the tunes in a binder for each child. Our children like to look through their binders and sing their memory verses daily.  They have been learning them quite fast and have been singing them joyfully since they were a little over two years old.  What a joy to our hearts as well! May God be praised.

Bible Verse Reference Focus Accompanying Picture Accompanying Motions Colossians 3:20 Obeying Parents * * Ephesians 6:1 Obeying Parents * * Ephesians 6:2 Obeying Parents * * Hebrews 12:11 Discipline *   Genesis 1:1 Creation * * Philippians 2:14 Contentment/ Grumbling * * Proverbs 17:22 (Tune by Steve Green) Contentment/ Grumbling * * Psalm 118:24 Thankfulness/ Rejoicing * * Psalm 136:1a Thankfulness * * James 1:17 Thankfulness *   Psalm 119:105 (Link to contemporary tune) Importance of God's Word * * Psalm 119:11 Importance of God's Word * * Proverbs 30:5 Importance of God's Word * * Matthew 6:33 (Link to traditional tune, scroll to Seek Ye First... #1) Looking to God * * Matthew 6:24 Following God *   Psalm 23:1a Following God * * Psalm 56:3 Trusting in God * * Proverbs 18:10 Trusting in God * * Proverbs 18:10 (traditional tune) Trusting in God * * Luke 1:37 Trusting in God * * Joshua 1:9b Trusting in God * * Proverbs 3:5 Trusting in God * * Proverbs 3:5-6 Trusting in God * * Psalm 1:6 Trusting in God *   Proverbs 3:9a Tithing/ Giving to God * * Daniel 9:9 God's Forgiveness * * Luke 2:11 Jesus' Birth *   Acts 9:20b Who Jesus Is * * John 3:16 Why Jesus Came * * Romans 3:23 Why Jesus Came *   Romans 3:23 (full verse) Why Jesus Came * * Matthew 28:6a Why Jesus Came *   Romans 5:8b Why Jesus Came * * 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Praying * * 2 Peter 3:18a Growing in Christ * * Colossians 3:23 Doing Your Best for Christ * * 1 John 4:19 Love * * Luke 6:31 How to Treat Others * * Hebrews 3:13b Encouraging One Another * * Ephesians 4:32 Forgiving One Another * * Proverbs 15:1 Answering with Gentleness * * Psalm 34:13 Lying *   Ephesians 4:2b Being Patient * * Ephesians 4:2b (alternate tune) Being Patient * * Proverbs 3:27 Helping Others * * Proverbs 17:17 A Loving Friend *   1 Corinthians 15:33 Choosing Friends * *

" But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. " ( 2 Peter 3:18)

Additional Resources:

Below, are links to books, CD's, and online resources that will
 help us to hide God's Word in our littlest ones' hearts.

Books

Parenting With Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments by Kara Durbin; Moody Press: 2001. ISBN 0802465420
The Word and Song Children's Bible by Stephen Elkins; Broadman & Holman Publishers:  1999.   ISBN 0805430180
Bible Visuals - books for purchase to accompany books of the Bible and familiar Bible based songs
Resources for Teaching Proverbs - coloring books, visuals, flash cards, etc, for sale

CD's:
Hide'Em In Your Heart Songs - Several CD's by Steve Green containing Scripture put to song
I Love God's Word - Scripture Memory in Song by Dr. Emilie Storch

Online:

Bible Memory Helps and Teaching with Songs - ideas from Web World Teacher Training
Age Specific Suggestions for Choosing Memory Verses - for early elementary through preteen
Coloring Pages/Activity Sheets - printables to accompany some Old Testament verses
Templates for Creating Memory Verse Activities - from MSSSCrafts
Scripture Memory Coloring Sheets - free printable sheets
Children- A Study of the Scriptures - Biblical exhortations by Diane Dew to train our children
An Easy Bible Memory System - uses notecards and a file box; This site also has suggested verses and games to enhance Bible memorization.
Suggested Verses for Children Under Age 5 - from Wholesome Words.com by Stephen Ross
Parent Handbook for Scripture Memory - from Central Presbyterian Children's Ministry
KiDiddles - a website with words and music of traditional, familiar kids songs

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.