The Well-Versed Family Review

Jen introduced a book to me about a year and half ago called The Well-Versed Family by Caroline Boykin.  She raved about how wonderful and PRACTICAL it is.  (If you know me very well, I'm a huge fan of practical.)  I ordered it right away and fell in love almost immediately.  Boykin gives encouragement after encouragement about WHY you should and HOW you can implement Scripture memorization into your family's everyday, busy routine.  (And, hey!  We figured out where that great verse in the baggie in the shower idea came from!  It was in this book!  :)

I love it when an author doesn't just give you a theory, but shows how it can apply to everyday life.  I have been guilty of memorizing Scripture because I know I should, but rarely applying it to my current situations in life.  I "tuck it away" for a future incident I may encounter and then if/when that event occurs, I've long since forgotten the verse.  Caroline brought it all down to my level in a way that I had never seen it before.  She uses personal triumphs and failures and even examples of how she uses it with her own girls. 


Here is an example that I will never forget:


Boykin and her family learned Proverbs 20:11 together which says, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."  


She talked to her girls about the fact that even if we don't know someone's name, we can often know something about them by their actions (the girl who shares her crayons, the boy who helps the teacher, the girl who laughs at me, the boy who pushes to be first in line, etc.)  She goes on to explain how she used the verse to encourage her daughters on a day to day basis.  She'd say things like, "If I didn't know your name, I'd call you Thoughtful.  Thanks for bringing the cups in from outside!"   or "If I didn't know your name, I'd call you Determined.  You really worked hard to learn that piano piece."


She also used it for gentle reproof.  In her book she says, "A few (less harmonious) times, I would simply whisper in their ear, 'Even a child,' and that was usually enough to convict.  If not, I would ask them, 'If I didn't know your name right now, how would you be known?'  and then I'd let Proverbs 20:11 speak to their hearts."


I LOVE that.  I know the above example wouldn't always end with children seeing the error of their ways and willingly repenting, but I love her heart behind training her girls.  Using Scripture to ENCOURAGE them and when using it to correct, using it gently rather than smacking them over the head with it.  


The example for correction is still over my boys' heads, but praising them with this verse sure isn't and I love how Isaac beams when I say, "Hey! Great job!  If I didn't know your name, I'd call you Kind or Helpful or Obedient!"


She even ends her example above with "This verse applied to my husband and me as well.  There have definitely been those times when I've had to confess, 'I think today Mom would be known as Cranky.  I'm sorry, girls.'"


This book is full of wonderful stuff like this, as well as practical ideas of things you can do with your kids to help them (and you) hide God's Word in your hearts.  It even has 5 really fun family devotions at the end of the book that you can do as you learn a specific passage.  (And I think the book is worth the money for these ideas alone, if your kids are elementary age.  They are seriously fun and meaningful!)  You can also check out her website for some more wonderful tips, ideas and encouragement.


If you'd like to purchase a copy, you can do so here or here.  We think it's the best book out there on the topic of memorizing Scripture!