35 Power-Packed Memory Verses for Kids

Want your children to memorize Scripture? Check out these strategies for memorizing, along with 35 power-packed memory verses for kids!

As a mom, I’ve treasured many precious words my little ones have uttered, each having a special place in my heart. But I’ve got to tell you, hearing your child confidently belt out a memory verse tops them all.

There’s just something about hearing that sweet little voice declare God’s truths so boldly, isn’t there?

It’s no surprise that many Christian parents jump to teach their kids Bible memory verses from a very young age. I certainly did. I wanted my kids to know as much of the Bible as possible.

Um, until I realized that googling “easy Bible verses for kids” was probably going to leave us feeling empty. I mean we all know the kid who memorized “Jesus wept” because it’s the shortest verse in the Bible, right?

When it comes to Scripture for kids, let’s be a little more intentional. Easy Bible verses are great, but what we really want is Bible memory verses that will help our kids GROW in faith as they walk in God’s truth.

How to Pick the Perfect Memory Verses for Kids

Before you begin memorizing Scripture with kids, be sure you take a moment to determine your purpose, your plan, and your process. I suggest writing this down because a written plan is very powerful!

• PURPOSE is simply the WHY behind making the effort to memorize Scripture with your kids.
• PLAN exactly what you will do by identifying how many Bible verses you’d like to memorize and how long you’d like to work on it. For example, if you are working with an older child, perhaps you’d do a few verses a week. With a preschooler, you’d possibly be working on one verse a month!
• PROCESS is the method you’ll use to learn. We’ve given you lots of ideas below, so pick a few you think might work for your kids and start there.

35 Power-Packed Memory Verses for Kids

Once you’ve defined your 3 P’s of Scriptures for kids, the only thing left is to choose what you’ll memorize. I recommend starting with Bible memory verses that will be most meaningful to your child in this season of life.

For example, if she has recently been asking questions about salvation, it’s a great time for those verses. If he is struggling with saying kind words, perhaps focus on verses to help with that.

If you don’t know where to start, begin with God! Scripture is first meant to point us to God and His character, so learning about His character is a perfect place to begin your Bible memory verse journey.

Here are some of our favorite Scriptures for kids listed by category.

God’s Character

• Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
• I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
• Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5
• Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
• But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
• Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
• Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

God’s Word

• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
• I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
• All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16
• For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Salvation

• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
• Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
• For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
• For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
• Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Christian Life

• Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21
• Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
• Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
• Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
• You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5
• Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Loving Others

• In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
• As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10
• Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
• And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
• Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
• A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Fun Strategies to Learn Memory Verses (for Kids)

We’ve got a huge list of fun and easy ways to memorize Scripture with kids that you will definitely want to check out here. In the meantime, here are a few of our favorites for young kids.

Hand Motions

When it comes to young kids, movement is gold. Try breaking down your verse into small phrases. For each phrase, add a hand motion. It’s great if it can be specific, such as pointing to your face for the word “face,” but even for phrases with no motions, you can do things like stomp, jump, or clap. It will help kids remember those memory verses easily!

Memory Verses Put to Song

We can’t fail to mention this classic, because it’s such a powerful way to help kids learn their Bible memory verses. You can make up your own song or use one that’s already been created.

Seeds of Worship offers contemporary songs in ESV. These have been a family favorite for many years. They even offer free memory verse cards to go along with each CD.

Answers in Genesis offers contemporary songs in ESV and traditional songs in KJV.

Say It Silly

This one is a family favorite. It’s so much fun to memorize Scripture using silly voices. This gives kids the practice of saying it over and over again without the monotony of doing it the same way.

Some of our favorite voices are squeaky mouse, big giant, cowboy, robot, and southern style. Have fun with all the options.

Scrambler

Write the words or phrases of the verse on notecards, then SCRAMBLE them up. Unscramble to see if you can remember the verse. If your child can write, this has the added benefit of writing it out, but you can write it for your child too.

Build It Up

This one is easy to do with kids who don’t read or write. Simply start adding on one word at a time. So John 3:16 would sound like this: “For. For God. For God so loved. For God so loved the. . . .”

You get the idea. Just keep adding one word at a time until you finish the verse. While this can work for longer verses, it’s super powerful for shorter ones and with very young children.

Snap It

Songs are powerful because of their rhythm. Even if you don’t know a song, you can create a rhythm by snapping. Simply snap on each word. The verse will naturally fall into a rhythm.

Tips for Memory Verses With Kids

• Focus on QUALITY over quantity. It doesn’t matter if your child can say 1000 verses—if they don’t know what the verses mean and won’t remember them in a few weeks, we’ve missed the whole point.
• Be sure you DEFINE words and help your kids understand the meaning behind every single verse they memorize. Again, if we memorize without meaning and understanding, we are missing the point.
• Review the verses you learn regularly. This will help make sure your kids really use the verses to impact their lives. We use the Charlotte Mason memory review system and a simple 4×6 card box.
• ALWAYS, always, always look up the verses you are learning in the BIBLE before you start learning them. This is critical in helping your kids understand that the Bible has the information they need. If we don’t do this, there is often a disconnect between what we THINK the Bible says and what it actually says.
• Know the reference. Many people will tell you that the reference is extra stress on kids and not necessary. I disagree! If it’s too much to remember the reference, then memorize fewer verses. Again, quality over quantity. In the end, if you don’t know where you live, it’s pretty hard to tell someone else where to find you. The same is true for the Bible.

More Memory Verses for Kids

• Looking for more in-depth verses to memorize? You’ll love these 27 Bible verses to memorize as a family.
• Find 14 Easy Memory Verse Games You Can Use at Home here.
• You’ll also love these free printable Bible verses for when you need encouragement.
• If you are new to learning Bible verses, you’ll love this Ultimate Guide to Scripture Memorization. It’s full of tips, strategies, and resources.

Ready to Start Memorizing?

We’ve made it simple to get started memorizing Scripture with these age-appropriate Scripture Memory Journal Bundle which includes the Scripture Memory Journal, Scripture Memory Cards, and the fun Scripture Memory Stickers! There are three different levels available for ages 4 – teen.

Our Scripture memory system enables families to memorize the same passages of the Bible but at an appropriate age level for each child. Our goal is to help the kids go deeper without overwhelming them. At least one verse coincides so you can say them together!