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Years ago, I went with my husband to a conference where the attendees were asked to write the Ten Commandments in order from memory. Pretty much everybody struggled with it. I know, shame on us. I purposed then and there that I would really learn them, and so would my children.
Fortunately, I came across a booklet at church with a handy memorization tool in it from a ministry called Living Waters Publications. It's all about pictures, and I'm such a visual person- I loved it. In only a few minutes, I had learned the Commandments in order by heart, and I have remembered them ever since. I did this fun little activity with my kids who were old enough at the time, and recently I did it with the rest of the crew.
Let me emphasize, this is something I discovered, not created. All credit goes to the folks at Living Waters, but it has been so helpful to know this little trick, that I thought you might like to use it, too. And it's so easy! If you have a piece of paper and a pencil, (and a Bible) you have everything you need.
Just divide the paper into 10 sections.
In each section, you will have the child draw a large number 1, or a number 2, etc.
Then, have them use each number to illustrate the commandment it represents.
For example, 1 means God is number 1. (No illustration necessary on that one.)
The number two gets turned into a serpent-statue to represent graven images.
The 3 is a set of lips (a reminder not to "speak" God's name in vain.)
4 becomes a cute little church as a symbol of the Sabbath.
5 is a rocking chair with Mama sitting in it and Daddy standing beside her.
6 can look like a gun (although guns do not equal murder; it's just a memory device.)
The 7 becomes the middle of a broken heart (caused by adultery.)
When you turn the 8 sideways, it looks like a bandit's mask (a thief.)
9 is "lying."
10 is a dollar sign and a diamond ring, which are things that could be coveted.
The drawings don't have to be perfect, but most children like to draw, and this activity turns memory work into fun. I do examples on a white board for the children to go by. Isn't my artwork amazing? ;)
{I misspelled adultery. So embarrassing.}
Do you have a favorite trick for teaching scripture? Be sure to share it!
