Why do we memorize verses?

Recently I have been asked why we are teaching the kids to memorize verses, especially when they don’t even know what they’re saying. So for all of you out there that might be wondering, here’s why:
First of all, there are LOTS of reasons. The first one being, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

But if that weren’t enough, there are lots of practical reasons to it. Children are like sponges. They learn sooo well at this age. To this day most of the verses that I have memorized are because I learned them as a child. I memorize verses and can remember them for a short while, but they don’t stick forever. But the ones I learned at a young age will be with me forever. Even if the kids don’t totally understand the verses they are learning now, they will later. But for the most part I do believe they understand. Not because they’re geniuses, but because we explain it to them. Trust me, Will lets us know when he doesn’t get something.
This week’s verse is Numbers 6:24-26. “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” After Kirstine says it this morning she holds out her hand and says, “here’s some piece” and she asks me to take it and eat it. (she obviously thinks we’re talking about a piece of cake here). So now I get to explain to her what peace means. And if you really think that Will doesn’t get it, just look at the stories I posted earlier today. In the midst of telling stories about dirtbikes he tells me a story about disobedience and gives me a verse as to why it’s wrong. Trust me - that was sooo unprovoked!

And lastly, the kids LOVE it! They don’t let us go to bed without practicing their new verses. I’ll be honest – this doesn’t happen every single night. There are days when Will is really tired because he didn’t take a nap and he’s just not in the mood for it. But I’d guess that 85% of nights he and Kirstine beg to do it. They love when they have a new verse perfected and they get to put a red check beside it.