Easy short bible verses for toddlers to memorize 

I remember looking for easy, short Bible verses for my toddler to memorize. I used an app with a bunch of memory verses and decided to teach my son, “The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword with two edges.” When I got to the part about the sword, I wiggled my hand like a sword.

I taught him a couple of times that week, and I was surprised when he started to recite it. He was quick to wiggle his hands like a sword, and before I knew it, he said the entire thing within a week! He was less than two years old at that time.

I was pleasantly impressed and happy, but then it got me thinking: Kids are like sponges. The way they understand and get things is remarkable.

My Encouragement

As Christian parents, we often focus on teaching our little children colors, animal sounds, shapes, phonics, fine motor skills, and more, and we may not pay a lot of attention to kids learning easy Bible verses and memory verses. Sometimes we think, “Oh, they don’t understand; they can’t memorize such long words.” But let me ask you, “How do they sing Baby Shark Song or Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?
Don’t worry; I am not judging you because I am guilty of doing the same thing.

So my point is, if they can sing songs even if they don’t say the words clearly, they can learn simple bible verses. When I realized this, I told myself I would incorporate memory verses into his learning schedule. (You can see a sample of his weekly learning schedule here.)

I decided to create this memory verse list so that I could print and laminate it, then place it in a morning/evening learning basket that I’m incorporating into our daily learning routine.

Topics

In this blog, I have categorized the memory verses by different topics that reflect common struggles for kids and toddlers between the ages of 1 and 5. Each topic includes encouraging Bible verses you can teach your little one. I will share some fun ways to teach these memory verses in later sections of this blog post. I have also included a free printable for you to keep handy for both your younger and older children.

Obedience

1. Ephesians 6:1: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
2. Colossians 3:20: “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.”
3. John 14:15: “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
4. Proverbs 1:8a: “My child, listen when your father corrects you.”
5. Deuteronomy 5:16a: “Honor your father and your mother.”
6. 1 Samuel 15:22a: “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
7. James 1:22: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”
8. Luke 11:28: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Kindness

1. Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
2. Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
3. Colossians 3:12b: “You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:15a: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong.”
5. Proverbs 11:17: “Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.”
6. 1 Peter 3:8b: “Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.”
7. Proverbs 16:24: “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
8. Ephesians 4:29a: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful,”

Independence vs. Dependence

1. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
2. Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
3. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
4. Matthew 6:33a – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously.”
5. Psalm 56:3 – “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”
6. Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
7. Psalm 28:7a – “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.”
8. Isaiah 41:10a – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.”

Patience

1. Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
2. Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
3. Colossians 1:11: “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.”
4. James 5:8a: “You, too, must be patient.”
5. Proverbs 15:18: “A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.”
6. Ephesians 4:2: “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
7. Proverbs 16:32: “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”
8. Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
   

Fear and Anxiety

1. Philippians 4:6a – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”
2. 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
3. Psalm 34:4 – I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
4. 1 Peter 5:7 – “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
5. Isaiah 41:10a – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.”
6. Psalm 56:3 – “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”
7. John 14:27c – “So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
8. Psalm 23:4a – “I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”

Sleep Issues

1. Psalm 4:8 – “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
2. Proverbs 3:24 – “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”
3. Psalm 127:2b – “For God gives rest to his loved ones”
4. Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
5. Psalm 3:5 – “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.”
6. Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
7. Philippians 4:7a – “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”
8. Psalm 121:3 – “He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake..”

Potty Training

1. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
2. Isaiah 41:10b – “I will strengthen you and help you; “
3. Joshua 1:9a – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 
4. Joshua 1:9b– Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
5. Psalm 18:32 – “God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.”
6. Psalm 73:26b – “But God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
7. 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
8. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
9. Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace”.

Sharing and Taking Turns

1. Acts 20:35c – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
2. Philippians 2:4 – “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
3. Hebrews 13:16 – “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”
4. Luke 6:31 – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
5. 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
6. Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
7. Romans 12:13 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
8. 1 Timothy 6:18c – “Always being ready to share with others.”

Gratitude

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18a: “Give thanks in all circumstances .”
2. Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
3. Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
4. Ephesians 5:20: “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
5. Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;”
6. Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
7. Philippians 4:6a: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything”
8. Philippians 4:6b: Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
9. Psalm 107:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
   

Transitions

1. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
2. Isaiah 43:19a – “See, I am doing a new thing! “
3. Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.”
4. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
5. Psalm 37:23 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”
6. Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
7. Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
8. Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Tips on teaching memory verse

From my introduction, you can probably guess that my first fun way of teaching these memory verses is by using hand motions. Toddlers love to move their hands, feet, bodies, and everything. I find that using body motions, not just hands, can be a powerful way to teach memory verse. For instance Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through guys who gives me strength”. You can teach it this way:

• “I can do all things”: Use both hands to make a big circle in front of you, indicating “all things.”
• “through Christ”: Form a cross by extending both arms out to the sides.
• “who gives me strength?” Flex your muscles with both arms, showing your biceps.

One of the easy ways to teach this memory verse is to turn it into a song. After all, the Bible says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” What an amazing way to make scripture fun for kids!

A great start is to check YouTube for already-composed songs. One that I learned as a child is by Donut Man; you can listen to it here: Philippians 4:13. Also, for Genesis 1:1, you can use this song: Genesis 1:1. You can also use a popular rhyme like Itsy Itsy Spider to teach these short verses. 

If your toddler can read, you can write it on cardboard and use different stickers that depict the words of the memory verse. You can also reinforce repetition by using a written version of the memory verse. Cover a portion of the verse and have the kids recite it with the hidden words. Gradually cover more parts of the verse in each round until the children can recite the entire verse without the visual aids. 

You can also write the memory verses you are currently learning on a board or put them in a photo frame where your child can see them constantly. This will serve as a great reminder to keep God’s word in their heart.

Please get creative in using games and activities to reinforce memory verses. Please let me know if you want me to write a blog post.

​Best time to teach these short bible verses

With my toddler, I’ve found that bath time and bedtime are a great opportunity to teach short Bible verses. During these times, children are alert and focused, making it easier for them to absorb and remember the verses. Bathtime, especially in the morning, is a great way for your kids to start their day with God’s word. While these are excellent moments, there are also other pockets of time throughout the day that can be used for teaching.

Free Printables

Now, for the fun part, I’ve created a free PDF with these memory verses formatted as flashcards. I have given you an idea of what the flashcards look like. They are cute, right? Thanks!

You can get it here: Free flashcards.

The topics are color-coded for easy identification. You can print them out, laminate them if desired, and even use them on a ring. Feel free to choose one card from each section to use. Additionally, you can include these brief lunch box notes with the verses to give your child spiritual encouragement and be a powerful reminder throughout their day.

Conclusion

You may be wondering why it is important to teach your young children memory verses at an early age. From my experience as a child who learned memory verses early on, I can confidently say it equipped me with God’s truth to navigate difficult times. Quoting scriptures became my second nature, providing comfort and encouragement when I felt alone. This foundation helped me face challenges with confidence and faith.

Please don’t feel pressured to finish a memory verse within a week. Follow your child’s pace and allow them to learn at their own speed. It’s perfectly fine if they take a month or even two months to learn a verse. The main goal is to instill the word of Christ in their hearts and help them memorize scripture. Please don’t introduce a new verse until your child has learned the current one.

Guess what? You’re not only teaching your kids, but you’re also learning the scripture for yourself and incorporating it into your own life!
This, my friend, is an added benefit.

Please note that these verses are in NLT and NIV. I find that these verses are easy to understand.