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Give Tangible Incentives

Scripture memory should be valued because of the blessing of putting God’s Word into your mind. However, a few incentives along the way can also encourage those who have never tried Bible memory, as well as build community through shared celebrations. This is especially true for children and youth.

Bethlehem Baptist Church uses incentives for children preschool to 6th grade:

  • Fighter Verse Tote Bag—This blue bag features Proverbs 18:10 and a picture of a strong tower. It is awarded to each child in preschool for the first five memory verses learned. For every five verses after that, a child is awarded a gem star which can be sewed or glued onto the bag. Bethlehem Baptist uses this incentive system for children ages preschool through kindergarten.
  • Fighter Verse Knights—Beginning in 1st grade, children receive one knight figurine for every 25 verses that have been successfully memorized and recited. This system is used until the children reach 7th grade.
  • Swordbearer Pictures—At Bethlehem Baptist, when a child of any age memorizes and recites 100 verses, he has his picture taken with the Knight mascot. The picture is then posted on a bulletin board near where the knight stands.

For rewarding youth, consider providing some bigger incentives for higher levels of achievement. For example, at 50 verses, let the student select a Christian music CD of their choice out of a collection approved by your staff. At 100 verses, award the student with a pizza party (you may want to wait for a number of students to reach this level before giving the party). At 150 verses, award the student with a pocket-size Bible.

Whole-family incentives could also be offered throughout the year: pizza parties, family game nights, picnics in the park. However, these events should not create an attitude of “exclusiveness.”  Rather, they should be occasions that celebrate the joy of Bible memory, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness and goodness. It should also be an opportunity to be encouraged and learn from the way He has worked in the lives of other people.