Candy grandma encourages Bible memorization
We have one. Do you? If not, you should! Our candy grandma gives out candy to kids after church, in bags (small ones, but even so)! After the service, candy grandma Linda sits expectantly with her notebook in hand, pen at the ready. Another candy grandma (in training) sits at her side as a long line of children begins to form almost before the last “Amen” is heard. The clean crisp paper anticipates being highly decorated with checkmarks and names by the time the line-up will have vanished. The grandmas know they will likely be the last ones to exit the sanctuary.
A significant number of children, the youngest ones only four years old, haphazardly line up, all vying for her attention and anxious to receive a bag of treats. Included in the treat bag is a Bible story-based activity sheet on which she has written a special but short verse. The young memorizers are encouraged to bring the completed activity sheet back to her the following week and to recite the accompanying verse. Many children are eager to recite two or three Bible verses to candy grandma in their turn.
She diligently records a point per verse, any verse, in her notebook. Once a year, candy grandma tallies up all the results and many children receive special recognition and possibly a reward. A young girl who had never before in her life memorized a Bible verse was gifted a Bible of her own as additional incentive.
Children line up and wait for their turn to see the candy grandma. (Photo supplied)
There is double motivation this year for Bible verse memorization, as the Sunday school department has also begun a reward store for scripture memorization. Theoretically, children can recite the same verse in both Sunday school and to candy grandma, unconsciously cementing the verses concretely into the memory bank of their hearts and brains.
Recently, the entire congregation was challenged to memorize a portion (or all) of the Sermon on the Mount. Adherents who were brave enough to vulnerably face the congregation to recite their memorized portion at the correct sequential placement of time received the utmost respect from those who were either not willing or were not courageous enough to attempt such an admirable but slightly intimidating feat. Maybe candy grandma could have provided some sweet incentives?
It is a blessing that there is now a candy grandma in training, as we may very likely soon need to form two lines of children, maybe even an adult line. Candy grandma may not only be the last to exit the sanctuary, she may also be the last one to leave the entire church building. And if the parents tire of waiting for their enthusiastic young memorizers, who knows but that candy grandma might just end up taking home more sticky fingers than she bargained on.