Tips for Memorizing Scripture
I will admit that I am not very good at memorizing scripture. More specifically, I might have the words down pat, but the book, chapter and verse are not easy for me to remember. And I admit that it has not been a priority. However, I find myself looking more and more at spiritual disciplines and spiritual goals.
With the new year, new resolutions – do you do that? I generally don’t. But have been challenged by having annual spiritual goals. And no, I hadn’t really considered spiritual goals on an annual basis. In relation to Bible study and the blog, certainly. But as I look at this it is limited in scope – reading only. There are many other disciplines that I should be working on and through.
Train up in godly ways
Since we are to be training up in godly ways (1 Tim 4:7-8), I find spiritual goals to be gaining in importance for me. Now to sort through and prioritize something(s) for the year… memorizing scripture will be one of the things that gets put on the list. More on spiritual goals next week.
Since I’ll be memorizing this year, I jumped in to see what I could do to make things stick better than ever. Here’s what is generally recommended.
1. Choose currently relevant verses to memorize. On motivation, we will be more likely to stick to something if it is readily related to our current circumstances. Struggling with less-than-enthusiastic feelings in this locked-down time? Maybe start with Colossians 3:23. Feeling attacked from all sides? Psalm 121:1-2 might be just for you right now. Or choose a verse from Matthew that strikes you as you are studying.
2. Start small. Our objectives need to be realistic for our own situations and abilities. I might start with some verses I also ready know (like most of the ones in this little article) and tie the book, chapter, and verse to them. You might need to start with just five words per week and build up to a verse or two per month. Do what works for you. I, for one, will not be memorizing a verse a day!
3. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I bet we all remember having to memorize the multiplication tables, and how we just kept repeating (until someone mercifully showed us shortcuts!). Flashcards, saying it aloud, and writing it out (again and again) all have a place in memorization. Post it in an oft-seen place. Write it out in calligraphy with a pretty border or illustration that you draw or color while meditating on it. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Some flashcards and pretty border paper are included in the download at the end of this article and available on the free resources page.
4. Incorporate the verse into your prayers. I guess this might fall under the repeat heading above, but it adds the spiritual dimension and not only the rote or creative sides of the brain. ‘Lord, just as psalmist says in psalm 121, I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. You know Lord that I need your help with controlling my anger over this situation at work with Mr. X. You are my help Lord.’ Including scripture in our prayers is powerful and memorizing it will bring them to mind all the more easily. I like the idea of applying it, practicing as I memorize.
5. Study 1 or 2 key words in the original language. I always remember Matthew 5:5 because the word ‘meek’ in Greek is super fascinating and easily misconstrued.
6. Get creative with the verse. Set the verse to music or find a song out there that already incudes the target verse and listen to it often. Make hand signs to go with the words. Involve the whole family in memorizing and develop quizzes or have family quiz you. After several verses, review by playing charades with the verses or make yourself a star chart (or a star-bucks chart?).
I’ve put together a downloadable pdf with flashcards and a few pretty border pages so we can get started without excuses (that’s me – set up everything then start, but the setup sometimes takes waaaaay too long!). If you aren’t sure where to start, there are also some downloadable verse cards on the free resources page.
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