Q & A: Memorizing Scripture

Madeleine wrote:
And you wrote about memorizing scripture. I have heard so often how
important it is to memorize verses. But although I usually learn quickly
memorizing scripture is very difficult for me. Can you recommend some
technique?

The fruit of memorizing Scripture is that you are always prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you. You are ready with the Sword of the Spirit to fight back at each of the devil’s darts of temptation, doubt, worry, and every evil foe. It will conform you into Christ’s image, grant you triumph over sin, and strengthen your communion with God. You heart is in tuned to the very words of God, preparing you to walk according to His will and in His footsteps. What better place for you to be?

“Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization.” (Dallas Willard)

For more on why we should memorize Scripture read here.

Memorizing Scripture has been a difficult challenge for me over the years, especially during this new season of mothering, as I have gone through periods of time that I have been very faithful, only to enter another season where nothing seems to work. Here are a few key things that I have found to be helpful:

1. ACCOUNTABILITY

There is no doubt that accountability is very important! If you have someone working with you on Scripture memory, you can keep each other going, encouraging one another in this all essential discipline. When I was in my teens, it was through a girlfriend of mine. We would memorize short passages and quote them to each other during our times together. When entering into my courtship with Aaron, we worked together to memorize the book of James and 1 Peter throughout our courtship. We would memorize one verse each day and quote them to each other during our times together or over the phone.

Now that we are married we are striving to memorize further verses together. We have not been faithful up to this point, but this question and a recent sermon has brought back into our hearts a burden to re-institute this habit. After Karis was born, I started posting Scripture on my bulletin board above the changing table and also above the kitchen sink. I would memorize and meditate upon these verses during those frequent times I was there. This was hard to maintain without my husband’s accountability though. Find someone to help you in this area, whether spouse, sibling, friend, etc.

2. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH VERSE TO MEMORIZE?

– Choose a book of the Bible to work through – we have found this to work well in digesting the whole context of the passage, put it is a very challenging system to establish a good review method.

– Use Fighter Verses (see below) - this is the system we are using as a couple this year

– Memorize the verse that sticks out to your from your devotion time – This has been a source of great encouragement and facilitating further meditation for me in the past.

3. MEMORY & REVIEW SUGGESTIONS

Finding a system for review is essential to successful Scripture memory! Without review, the Scripture will be forgotten. One way that seems to work well for us is to memorize a verse by reading it ten times and then closing your eyes or covering the verse and repeating it ten times. Repetition is the key. Repeat it ten times for three days and then review once a day for a period of time (some recommend 50 days, others 100 days). When you want to add another verse, do the same thing, repeat the first verse ten times before adding the next verse and then join them together and repeat. I was amazed at how well verses are digging deep into our heart and minds. Decide whether you would like to memorize a verse a day or one a week.

Write it on a 3 x 5 card to carry with you throughout the day (or use the Fighter Verses, which are already printed out on little cards). I like to carry it with me in the car and review at stop signs, or place it on my bulletin board or above my kitchen sink. This year we are going to work on our memorization by having our verses at the table to review at our meal times together. You can memorize a lot of Scripture by just taking as little as five minutes of your devotion time in the morning to memorize and review Scripture. Memorize selected verses, or memorize larger passages. Find the system that works best for you!

May God supply you with strength as you seek to store up the Word of God in your hearts! Be encouraged that whatever season you are in…God supplies the grace. Just do your best with the time you have. It may be simpler at this season to memorize one verse a week. Do what you can!

RESOURCES:

Fighter Verses – this resource put out by Desiring God Ministries is so helpful! It has verses on small cards that are powerful for the fight of faith! You can take them out put them in a card protector (that comes with it!) and carry it with you throughout the day. Fighter Verses are strategically chosen Bible verses (English Standard Version or New International Version) that equip believers for the fight of faith. The system is designed for preschool children through adults and allows you to choose your own speed for memorizing and review and contains five sets of memory verses (one passage per week for five years). Foundation Verses are for children preschool through age five.

Our goal is to memorize two passages a week (one card front and back). What to help keep us accountable and join us in this challenge?

John Piper answers the question: How do you memorize Scripture? He gives two keys: pray for discipline and set aside time.

Do you have a system of memorizing to recommend?