The Significance of Childhood Familiarity with Scripture

2 Timothy 3:15, which states “…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” has always been a cherished scripture of mine. Timothy’s familiarity with the Word of God from a young age is highlighted in this verse. The Greek word for “acquainted” is eidō, meaning to be skilled in. Therefore, Timothy’s acquaintance with God’s Word as a child likely involved memorization. While I didn’t have much experience memorizing Scripture as a child, I did know Matthew 6:9-13, the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. 2 Timothy 3:15 emphasizes that familiarity with Scripture from childhood leads to wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ

A Personal Journey: From Childhood Acquaintance to Salvation
Although I wasn’t saved as a child due to not being in a church environment that explained the gospel for salvation, I held onto the little knowledge I had. It wasn’t until I was 22 years old, introduced to Christ through an evangelist who presented the gospel to me, that I experienced salvation in Christ Jesus. I realized firsthand that my childhood acquaintance with God’s Word played a role in my later salvation.

Empowering Children: Teaching the Value of Scripture Memorization
This experience led me to serve as a children’s education director at my church for 14 years. During this time, I taught my four sons and other children to become familiar with Scripture. The most significant lesson I learned while teaching children was the power of scripture memorization. Children are like sponges and can absorb large passages of scripture. Despite curriculum limitations, I successfully taught children as young as 4 years old to memorize extensive passages like Psalm 91 or the Christmas Story, each comprising over 16 verses. These young children, unable to read, could recite Scripture from memory in front of the entire congregation, which was uplifting for the believers.

Unlocking the Power: Lessons Learned from Teaching Children
My insistence on having children memorize substantial portions of scripture stemmed from the observation that they often struggled to recall lessons taught using standard curriculum. I found that their hearts were more deeply impacted when they memorized passages like the Armor of God, the Lord’s Prayer, the Christmas Story, Psalms, and Proverbs. My sons, who memorized Scripture at a young age, still remember it today as adults. This approach eliminated the frustration of them forgetting what they learned week to week.

Building a Foundation: How Memorization Shapes Lifelong Faith
I am confident that by practicing scripture memorization, I equipped children with the tools to be familiar with and wise in the scriptures, aiding them in their understanding and need for Christ throughout their lives.