How My Father Cultivated My Faith: He Challenged me to Memorize Scripture
Even though my dad was an architect by trade, he called himself a 6th grade Sunday school teacher disguised as an architect. While he was very good at what he did, his passion was bringing God's Word to life for those around him. 
In his 6th grade class, if you memorized the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, he would buy you a leather Bible with your name on the front, and write a note of blessing in the front. To ensure everyone received a Bible, he illustrated the verse, making it simple to memorize in a short period of time. 
*Click the image above for a printable PDF version of the illustrated version of 1 Corinthians 13
My sister and I would race to see how fast we could say it. Repetition, association, intensity...cemented in our memory for life. Now when I struggle with loving my spouse, I hear: "Love is patient, kind, it doesn't envy, it doesn't boast..."
Here are several other verses he illustrated that have stuck with me through the years:
At any point in time, my dad could ask, "What do you know about a man of integrity?" If someone could answer his question with Proverbs 10:9, then he would give them $1. It's amazing how money motivates.
I would do well to learn from my father:
- Bring scripture to life for my children.
- Continue to memorize and repeat scripture as an adult.
- Find fun ways to reward my kids for hiding God's word in their hearts.
You might also enjoy: How My Father Cultivated My Faith: He Exposed Me to Great Men of Faith
Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.