How can a young person stay on the path of purity? 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. —Psalms 119:9-11
One of the coolest things that can ever happen to you is to struggle with an issue and then have a Bible verse pop into your head that exactly answers that question. It’s like, “Thank You, God — now I know what to do.”
God works that way sometimes. But really, when that happens, you can take some of the credit. Somewhere along the way you put yourself in a position to be exposed to that portion of Scripture. It may have been sitting in a pew or in Sunday school, reading a bumper sticker or needlepoint, doing personal Bible study or listening to your mom or dad when you were a kid.
Which brings us to a worthy goal for any dad. Do memory verses with your kids — at any age. Here are a few to start with.
Kids love this one:
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13
Parents love this one:
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. —Colossians 3:20
This verse reminds kids that how they act relates to the life of Jesus:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.—Ephesians 4:32
These passages are core to the idea of sin, grace, and salvation:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16
Here’s another one that seems to resonate with kids:
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength—Deuteronomy 6:5
Help your children hide God’s Word in their hearts and you just might be equipping them with tools that will rescue them when you’re not around.
What about you?
Most of the verses I know word for word are a direct result of practicing Awana verses with my kids. And later being an Awana leader. It’s good stuff and good times.
Adapted from: One-Minute Devotions for Dads. Copyright © 2012 by Jay Payleitner. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.