John 3:16

Much like many of my mommy friends and fellow mommy bloggers, I work with my kids on scripture memorization. It's something I did as a child, and I think it truly developed my love for God and His word. It has formed who I am, and my understanding of scripture and basics on where a concept is located in the Bible (especially the New Testament) are directly linked to the time I spent learning verses as a child and a youth.

I remember learning Psalm 23 as a seven or eight-year-old, and that was a really big deal to me at the time. It is quite a long passage for a young child.

And I knew the day would come when Caleb finally would learn John 3:16. It's like the cornerstone of the Christian faith - the one passage that all believers know. The one that people write on poster board and take with them to professional sporting events.

This past Monday, Caleb had to recite it for his Upward basketball practice. I recorded it before we left.



"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 (Notice he said "sent His only son" rather than "gave His only son"...maybe that's the CRV...Caleb Revised Version?) :)

I love the inflection in his voice when he says, "...should not perish..." It makes me smile. And if you ask him to say it, he will recite it exactly the same way every time.

This is probably the longest scripture he's learned so far, and he learned it rather quickly. The fact that kids can memorize so easily makes me realize that this really is the perfect time to incorporate God's word in their lives. They just soak it up like a sponge!


"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 7:1-3