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So my kids asked me if they memorized the whole Psalm 34 for Preparing along with the other verses in the program as we go for a prize. My CTC girl will do Philippians 2 and Philippians 3 or Philippians 2 and Psalm 34 (her choice since she missed Preparing). She has more since she is older and program takes you through Philippians 2 anyway eventually. They get a prize when they recite it to me. It will not be a huge prize but I thought it was worth some recognition. It was their idea to do it. But I thought since they are doing it we will also we are reading commentary on them as part of the challenge so that we can really understand it deeply as we memorize it. Anyway my kids were really excited about the idea. It's not rocket science but I thought I would share. If the memory thing does not excite you or your kids I will say that we are finding just adding commentary to the verses that HOD brings along with the HOD commentary and exercises really adds a lot of understanding and not much time. We use mainly The Believer's Bible Commentary because I like the way it tends to link everything back to salvation and Jesus even in the OT.

We have started giving our kids $1 for every verse they memorize. I realize that would be a lot for Philippians. But, we don't pay for chores or household responsibilities since they need to contribute to making our home. We decided paying them for hard work and commiting God's Word to memory in their hearts was worth the $1. And it gives them a chance to apply the give, save, spend principle.

We don't pay for regular chores either. I only pay though for hard labor, hahaha! It is the only way I can get the help I need sometimes. But hey the point is to get the Word into their heart right. However that happens is great. I really feel a huge burden for that for them. I hope there is always a Bibel for them in their life but if ever there is not I want them to always have His Word!

Thanks for sharing water2wine!

We also use the Believer's Bible Commentary. In fact, in our Preparing last week we read in Daniel about his vision & angels and powers.... It was definitely a time to get some extra help! My kids also asked about prizes when they memorize a chapter in Scripture. They decided that they wanted to earn T-shirts that shared the Gospel from our local Christian bookstore. I loved it! We do not give our children an allowance so earning anything is a big deal at our house! It sure is fun to hear that your kiddos came up with a similar plan!

Oh I love the idea of a shirt from the Christian book store! That is great! We are still throwing around prizes. They keep upping what they will do and changing their minds on what is the prize. It is so wonderful to find them all up before me memorizing scripture. Thank you for sharing you use the same commentary. I just got it recently and it is good to hear someone else really likes it as well. I think memorizing is great and God will use it even if they do not fully understand it but adding understanding as they go is even better.