Scripture Power

As a family we are trying to do better reading our scriptures daily. We now put it first in the day instead of shunting it to "whenever we have time", which is never.

To enlist the aid of my children we have instituted Scripture Power Hour. There is a children's song we sing in church, written by Clive Romney, that goes:

Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can,
I’m reading His instructions, I’m following His plan.
Because I want the power His word will give to me,
I’m changing how I live, I’m changing what I’ll be.

Scripture power keeps me safe from sin.
Scripture power is the power to win.
Scripture power! Ev’ryday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

I’ll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.
I’ll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.
I’ll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord,
And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward.

Scripture power keeps me safe from sin.
Scripture power is the power to win.
Scripture power! Ev’ryday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

My children love this song and are excited every day to get their very own Scripture Power. We start with a family prayer, then we read from one of the books which explains various topics of our religion (Gospel Essentials). Then we read from the scriptures together and discuss it. After that the two older boys read their own scriptures individually. I read some illustrated scriptures to my 6 and 3 year old. Then I dismiss the 3-yr-old and have my 6-yr-old read to me.

I've made a special program for him since he's not a fluent reader yet. I take the verses we are going to read that day and put them into a Word document. I enlarge the font to 16 or so and then color-code the words. If the words are BLUE he reads the words to me. They are words he knows, sight words or words that are easy to sound out. Words in RED are words that we will be learning together. For example, if the word "things" appears 5 or 6 times on a page I'll turn it red and tell him "This word is 'things'". After reading it a few times on that page he's got it. Words in BLACK are words that I read to him.

It's been amazing to see his confidence grow and to see how quickly he's learning new words. I only create a few pages ahead at a time, because he picks up new words all the time so what was once red or black, soon becomes blue.

You can view a sample here.

After I read with him, all the kids are dismissed to do whatever they want while I have my own study time. The rule is they can't interrupt me. I have explained that when I have Scripture Power I am a better mom and they are learning to respect the need for a parent to have time to themselves. I'm hoping that since it is a sacrifice for them to not bug me it will teach them the importance of feasting in the Word.

Thus far it's been a wonderful way to start our day.