“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

I talked like a child…SONGS help us express our faith in God. Pairing words with actions helps them learn the songs more quickly. Sing songs about Jesus, God, church, and children. Songs like Jesus Loves Me, God is So Good, Deep & Wide, I’ve Got Peace Like A River/Joy Like a Fountain/Love like the Ocean teach our students how to praise the LORD!

Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” In fact the whole psalm is a fun one for kids to act out in order to demonstrate praise. It talks of using stringed instruments, cymbals, a tambourine, and dance. Music helps children learn as music is located near the same area associated with long term memory in the brain. It doesn’t matter if you sing well or not. Songs of praise imbedded in a child’s long term memory…glorious!

I thought like a child…Children learn their first prayers very early.  are they learning the attitude of prayer and the places of prayer?  With frequency, Junior will soon learn that prayer is simply talking to God.  Tell them:  “You are a child of God.  God made you.  Jesus loves you.  You are important to God.”  4- and 5-year-olds can make up their own prayers and it is a joy for any listener.

I reasoned like a child…Preschoolers are at a great age to start memorizing Bible verses.  Don’t underestimate what a preschooler can accomplish mentally.  Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”   Set a goal of memorizing one verse a month – not only is it good spiritual training, but memorization is good for brain development and for strengthening intelligence.  To help a child memorize a Bible verse, take it apart into phrases and help your child learn the  pieces before putting it altogether as a whole.  Remember that those who take longer to memorize a verse usually retain it longer, as well.

Some great bible verses for little/all disciples to memorize include … Genesis 1:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 4:32, Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 20:11, Isaiah 41:10, 1 John 4:8, Exodus 20:12, John 11:35, Psalm 34:13, John 13:34-35, Psalm 66:1, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 119:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Post it notes are great, dry-erase markers on a mirror or window, chalk on a chalkboard-spray-painted sign are decorative and practical to get these in our own hearts and minds.

Luke 12:35 “Be dressed and ready for service.”