Do you remember learning Bible verses as a child? Between my parents’ efforts, Sunday School, AWANA, and Vacation Bible School at our church, I memorized lots of Scripture when I was growing up. How thankful I am now that I have those parts of God’s Word hidden in my heart!
As Christian moms, we have the privilege of teaching our children truths from the Bible beginning at a young age. It’s amazing how easily they can memorize Bible verses, even before they’re school age! The small amount of effort it takes can yield lifelong spiritual benefits.
The verses below are simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers to learn, but each one contains a powerful truth.

1. Ephesians 6:1. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
Learning to obey parents is a child’s primary responsibility, and here is the Biblical basis for it.
2. Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Children typically love nature in all its forms, and this verse teaches them how it all began and opens up opportunities to tell them about our Creator.
3. Psalm 56:3. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.”
Fear can rob our children of peace, but learning to trust God for safety and protection is an enduring blessing.
4. Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
A child can begin to understand the power we have in Christ when we learn to rely on Him.
5. Romans 10:13. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is as simple as the plan of salvation can get.
6. I John 4:19. “We love Him, because He first loved us.”
Here’s an initial introduction to God’s great love for us.
7. Psalm 119:105. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Relying on God’s Word for direction can save us all from many mistakes.
8. Acts 16:31. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
This is another basic verse about salvation.
9. Proverbs 20:11. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”
From this, a child can learn that his reputation is developed at a young age.
10. Psalm 34:13. “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
What a valuable first lesson on self-control when it comes to what we say.
When our daughters were younger, I tried to have a brief, structured time of memory verse practice each morning, often right after breakfast. Working on this early in the day seemed to help it not get pushed aside by other activities later on.
Just as essential, however, is following the instruction of Deuteronomy 11:19 and talking about Scripture naturally as we go throughout our day. At bedtime, we would read through a good Bible storybook such as Bedtime Bible Story Book: 365 Read-Aloud Stories from the Bible. And it’s good to introduce them to using something similar to A Child’s First Bible for themselves – even if that just means they flip through it and look at the pictures for now!
I often used these 10 Ways to Help Your Child Memorize Scripture to help our own children – and those I work with in our church’s children’s programs – learn God’s Word. As our daughters have gotten older, I’ve made new lists, such as these 8 Bible Verses for Girls to Memorize and 10 Bible Verses for Teens to Memorize to increase our children’s knowledge of the Bible.
Do you have a set time for teaching your children Bible verses? What other references would you add to this list?
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Related posts:
- 8 Verses from Proverbs to Teach Your Children
- 5 Bible Verses to Encourage You in Your Prayer Life
- 5 Christmas Bible Verses to Teach Your Kids
Thank you for these wonderful suggestions! I've been looking for simple verses to introduce to Sophie 🙂
Great post, Tracey! I have to agree that little ones memorize verses so easily! I didn't realize this as a new mommy several years ago and was delighted to discover that!
I love your list of verses. John 3:16 has been a favorite in our family and church for having wee ones memorize. I also like to teach them Psalm 139:14 and Psalm 127:3 to help them understand they were created as precious gifts for our family. =) I had those verses and many on your list posted in their room at our old house!
Thanks for this encouragement today!
I just glanced at your list (trying to feed kids lunch) but it looks like a good one! I remember learning some of those as a little myself.
What a great list! Thanks!
Katie,
Psalm 139:14 is a wonderful verse to teach our children! It's one that I need to reinforce with my girls at their current ages. As they grow ever closer to those teenage years, I want to keep in the forefront of their minds that God made them in a marvelous way and they are always beautiful in His sight.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am always unsure where to start when it comes to Bible verses.
Have a great day 🙂
In addition to a few on your list Jane has memorized James 1:17, Philippians 2:14, and Proverbs 15:1. I don't really have structured time but we talk about the verses she has learned throughout the day. During times of discipline I use scripture for correction. Each time I teach her a new verse I pray for the Holy Spirit to make God's truth real in her heart.
Thank You!