Last Saturday we made a 12 hour drive from our new home in Cincinnati to my in-laws place here in Texas. On long road trips like that we let the kids watch DVDs in the car, mostly because it gives me and Dana a break from constantly digging out new snacks, picking dropped toys off the floor, and having to deal with general fussiness.

While driving, I noticed that Hannah, our two year old, was reciting almost every Dora episode word for word. I thought, “Wow, if she can do that, she’s definitely ready to start memorizing scripture.” But then I thought, “But where do I start with a two year old?”

When I was growing up, my parents made me and my siblings memorize a sheet of scripture verses every Friday before lunch. Although I hated it at the time, both my personal walk with the Lord and my ministry benefit more from all the scripture I memorized than almost anything else. I still use it almost every day, and I’d love for my children to grow up with the same spiritual foundation of memorizing the Word of God.

But honestly, I don’t know where to start. My parents took a topical approach with us, which was fine for us at the time because we were around 10 to 12 years old, but most of the words in those verses are words that my daughter wouldn’t even understand, let along comprehend what she was saying. Or is it even necessary that she understands it? She certainly doesn’t understand everything Dora is saying, especially in Spanish.

QUESTION: Where’s the best place to start with a 2-year-old in memorizing scripture?