12 Easy Bible Verses to Memorize for Kids

Practice one verse now

Read together, hide the words, and let your child try. Help is welcome. Stop while it still feels good.

12 Bible verses for kids

The first three are short places to start. Choose one that matters to you. All quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB). Meaning notes and practice tips are separate from the Bible text.

1. Psalm 56:3

   11 words · World English Bible

   When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

   The psalmist speaks to God while facing fear. Trust and fear appear in the same verse. Read Psalm 56:1–4.

   Try this: Split it at the comma. Say the first part, then recall the response.

   Practice Psalm 56:3

2. 1 John 4:19

   8 words · World English Bible

   We love him, because he first loved us.

   John places our love in response to God’s love. Read 1 John 4:7–21 for the wider passage.

   Try this: Read the two parts around because. Hide the verse and recall which love came first.

   Practice 1 John 4:19

3. Genesis 1:1

   10 words · World English Bible

   In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

   Genesis opens with God creating the heavens and the earth. Read Genesis 1:1–5 for the start of the creation account.

   Try this: Learn the opening words first. Then add what God created.

   Practice Genesis 1:1

4. Psalm 23:1

   13 words · World English Bible

   A Psalm by David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.

   David describes the Lord as a shepherd who cares for him. Read all of Psalm 23. This edition includes the psalm heading in verse 1.

   Try this: Learn the heading, then the two parts about the shepherd and his care.

   Practice Psalm 23:1

5. Psalm 119:105

   14 words · World English Bible

   Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

   This part of Psalm 119 speaks about following God’s word. Read verses 105–112 to hear the wider prayer.

   Try this: Picture a lamp and a path. Then hide the words and recall the whole verse.

   Practice Psalm 119:105

6. Matthew 5:16

   23 words · World English Bible

   Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

   Jesus speaks to his disciples about salt and light. The goal of the good works is praise for the Father. Read Matthew 5:13–16.

   Try this: Break the verse into three thoughts: shine, be seen, and glorify the Father.

   Practice Matthew 5:16

7. Matthew 22:39

   12 words · World English Bible

   A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

   Jesus names love for our neighbor alongside love for God. Read Matthew 22:34–40.

   Try this: Read the whole verse together. Then cover it and let each person try one part.

   Practice Matthew 22:39

8. John 3:16

   25 words · World English Bible

   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

   This verse appears in John’s account of Jesus speaking with Nicodemus. Read John 3:14–21 for the surrounding message.

   Try this: Pause after Son. Learn the second half, then join the two parts.

   Practice John 3:16

9. Romans 12:10

   16 words · World English Bible

   In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another,

   Paul describes sincere love in the Christian community. Read Romans 12:9–13.

   Try this: Talk about tenderly affectionate, then learn the parts on either side of the semicolon.

   Practice Romans 12:10

10. Ephesians 4:32

    19 words · World English Bible

    And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

    Paul calls believers to kindness and forgiveness. Read Ephesians 4:25–32.

    Try this: Learn the actions first. Then add the reason for forgiveness.

    Practice Ephesians 4:32

11. Philippians 4:4

    10 words · World English Bible

    Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

    Paul urges the church to rejoice in the Lord. Read Philippians 4:4–9.

    Try this: Read it with its repeated word. Hide the verse and see if you can say both parts.

    Practice Philippians 4:4

12. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

    21 words · World English Bible

    ¹⁶ Always rejoice.

    ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

    ¹⁸ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

    These are part of Paul’s closing words to the church. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22.

    Try this: Start with verse 16. Add verse 17 next, then learn verse 18 in small parts.

    Practice 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Teach the meaning first

Read the verses around it. Explain hard words. Ask the child to tell you what the verse means in their own words. Then learn the exact words.

Keep the plan short

1. Read the verse together.
2. Learn one short part.
3. Hide a few words.
4. Let the child fill them in.
5. Stop before it turns into a fight.

A simple plan for this week

Keep one verse for the week. These are starting points, not a test or a deadline. If the words are hard to recall, look, try again, and review sooner.

Today

Read the verse in context. Hide it, say what you can, and check the words.

Tomorrow

Try the verse before looking. Notice which parts stayed and which need help.

In 3 days

Recall the verse and its reference. Check any missed words.

In a week

Try again without help. If it feels steady, add one new verse and keep reviewing this one.

After that, leave a little more time between reviews when recall is steady. A missed day just means you pick up where you left off.

My verse: ____________________   Next review: ____________________

Sources

• Parents discuss Bible verse memory for kids
• Adults share what helped and hurt as kids

Free printable verse cards