Inscribing the heart

From the Head of Junior School, Brooklyn Park

Inscribing the heart

The Kids Ministry team at my church have recently launched a couple of new resources to help parents as they support their children in the development of their faith. One of these resources is a Bible Verse Bingo that encourages children to memorise various Bible verses. On Sunday, an enthusiastic 9-year-old girl was invited to the stage to share the verses that she has already committed to memory only one week after starting. She was so keen this week, that she has finished the whole list and is asking for more!

Listening to her joyfully quoting verse after verse, reminded me of learning memory verses when I was a young girl myself. I would spend copious amounts of time repeating the words to cement in my brain the weekly memory verse given to us by the Sunday School teacher. There were prizes of course, and I was determined to win. Who didn’t want a dip in the prize box to take home a fancy new pen?

A few years ago, I was given the book “Hide this in your heart” by Michael Frost and Graham Joseph Hill. In this they discuss the importance and value of memorising scriptures, as well as some useful ways to go about it. Early in the book, a quote from Brad Leithauser (a poet and novelist) very eloquently states that when memorising poetry, “…you take the poem inside you, into your brain chemistry if not your blood, and you know it at a deeper, bodily level than if you simply read it off a screen.” There is something deep about the act of committing something to memory. It becomes firmly embedded and not easily forgotten. It is a readily available resource, springing to the forefront of our minds when we need it.

As I grew older, I began to understand that the true prize I received in Sunday School was much more valuable than a colourful pen or a cool notepad. There are scriptures that have been imprinted on my heart, that have carried me through life’s circumstances. In the up and down moments of life, it was, and still is, God’s powerful words that remind me of His presence, His love, and His faithfulness. 

Impossible or overwhelming problem? 

“…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Feeling unequipped or inadequate? 

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) 

Life’s plans aren’t looking the way I thought?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 

Feeling unloved, unworthy? 

“For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) .

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) 

Made a mistake?

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) 

Fear? Doubt?

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) 

When I think about the precious children that are given to our care, I wonder – what is being imprinted on their hearts? What words are being taken inside of them, to become part of their being and shaping their thinking and beliefs? 

At Emmaus Christian College, our vision is inspiring hearts, inspiring minds and we know that what is planted now, will bear fruit later. Our prayer as a College is as we partner with parents in the raising of the next generation, that it is the truth of God’s Word that is imprinted on every child’s heart. That they will grow secure in the knowledge that they are created and loved by an amazing God, who will walk with them for all of their good and bad days if they simply put their trust in Him.

Marni Greenwood,

Head of Junior School, Brooklyn Park (ELC–Yr 6)