How to Memorize Scripture

Memorizing Bible verses or passages is a great way to help you put them into practice. Also, having meaningful verses memorized means you can easily take advantage of opportunities to encourage or share your faith with others, even if you don't have your Bible with you. It is sometimes difficult, however, to fit scripture memory into your already busy schedule. Here are some ideas that can help you memorize scripture successfully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make it personal.It's much easier to commit something to memory if it has value and meaning to you. Choose verses or passages to memorize that have significance for you personally. When you read a verse you would like to memorize, try writing a journal entry about how it applies to your life. You will gain a richer understanding of the verse, which will help to cement it in your mind.

2. Include the scripture reference.It's frustrating to know a Bible verse, but not know where it's found. When working on your passage, include the reference at the beginning and the end when reading or speaking it so that it is included in your memorization.

3. Write it on an index card – or several index cards.This time-honored aid to memorizing scripture makes the verse portable so you can reference it throughout the day and review the wording. Once you have the verse memorized, you can also file the index card in a card file with other verses you have memorized. This makes it easy to review a few verses during your daily personal Bible study time.

4. Memorize a phrase at a time.This is especially helpful on longer verses or passages. Break the verse down into logical phrases to make it easier to remember. Once you have one phrase memorized, add the next one. That way, you're reinforcing what you've already learned while adding something new.

5. Post your verse where you will see it throughout the day.This lets you take the "top of mind" approach. Put the verse front and center where you will encounter it often. Drop an index card in your purse so you'll have it while running errands. Clip it to your page marker in your planner. Tape it to your steering wheel. Post it above your sink in the kitchen. Add it to your mirror in the bathroom where you brush your teeth. Email it to your Blackberry. Type it into a "stickie" on your desktop.

6. Take advantage of multi-tasking opportunities.Multi-tasking has become a way of life for most people. Why not add scripture memory to the list? Since a large portion of your day is probably spent in habitual tasks where your mind is not really engaged, use those times to read your memory verse or say it out loud. Here are some suggestions: waiting at a stop light, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, riding the train, or waiting for an appointment.

7. Make it a family project.Let your family share in the task of memorizing your verse. You can use time at the supper table for the next week as practice sessions. Talk to your family about what the verse means. Let each person give input on how they would apply the verse. Say it all together. Go around the table with each family member saying one word until you've said the whole verse. The accountability will help you all memorize it more quickly. Plus, you'll be talking to each other and sharing the importance of scripture with those most important to you.

8. Share it with someone.Think of someone in your life who would benefit from hearing the verse you're memorizing. Make a goal to share the verse from memory with that person during the next week. You'll have extra incentive to finish memorizing, and you'll provide some encouragement where it may be needed.