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Swap Shop —Memory work can often be a chore, but it is so necessary as a way of helping our children understand the Bible
and be able to turn to it in difficult times.

A Sunday school teacher shared an exercise she used with her 5-6th grade class on memorizing Phil 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

She divided the verse into eight parts, writing each statement on two sets of different colored index cards:

The first set was on yellow cards and the second set on pink. The first set she dealt out with the verse faced down. Each pupil received one or two parts of the verse.

The students were asked to put the verse in the correct order. The teacher then took out the pink stack and set it on the table. The students took back their yellow cards and were now instructed to pick up the pink card that corresponded to their verse. Under each line was a list of questions. If the student got the answers right, he or she was allowed to keep the card. If someone else got the answers right, that person was given the card. Here are examples of some of the questions and statements under each part:

What does “true” mean?
Name someone who was “true” in the Old Testament.
Name someone who was “true” in the New Testament.
Is this a “true” statement?  You are the child of God’s creating.

What does it mean to be “honest”?    
Are you God’s honest child?
Explain why these people were honest or dishonest.

1. Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing.
2. Joseph’s brothers telling Jacob that Joseph was killed by a wild animal.
3. Peter denying Jesus three times.

What does “just” mean?
Name a “just” person in the Old Testament
Name a “just” person in the New Testament.
Is it “just” to cheat on a test if you need a good grade?

What does it mean to be “pure”?
Name a “pure” person in the Old Testament.
Name a “pure” person in the New Testament.
Can pure gold be magnetized?

What is “lovely”?
Does God consider you lovely?
Name a “lovely” person in the Bible.
Name a “lovely” person in your family.

What is a “good report”?
Name some “good reports” in the Bible.
Is “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good”Gen 1:31 (to .) a “good report”?  Why or why not?
How can you tell if it’s a “good report”?

What does “virtue” mean?
Who was virtuous in the Bible?
When did you last praise God?
Name an event in the Bible that deserves praise.

Name something you should think about.
Is obeying your parents something to think about?

The discussion with each section was deeply thought provoking. For example, with the question about gold under purity, one girl responded that gold couldn’t be magnetized. Our purity can’t be magnetized by snaky thoughts. A magnet only attracts like substances. So we can’t be attracted to bad any more than bad thoughts can be attracted to us.

When asked to talk about a good report, one student responded that it was a good report card. Another said, it’s being free of gossip or a need to say anything negative about anyone. One student said, “It’s the point of the whole verse. Our conversations should be filled with what is true, honest, just, pure, and lovely about everyone and then that’s giving a good report.” And lastly one said, “Yep, get rid of criticism and complaints and you can open your mouth and all that will fall out is a good report!”

They were all able to recite the verse without difficulty the next week.

If you have had success with helping pupils memorize Bible verses or stories, please write us at teach@biblewise.com and share your experiences.