By Allison 

[This is the second article in a series that we will be posting this month, focusing on the importance of Scripture memory.]

“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.”*

Memorization is definitely an important discipline, but how do we memorize? When we think of memorization, what usually comes to mind is what we call rote memorization, which is just repeating a verse over and over until it is stuck in your brain.

There are several disadvantages to this method, including the fact that it is not very effective, nor very fun. Contrary to popular belief, memorization can actually be fun, especially using some of the methods that I will outline for you here. There are a few basic things you need to know for any memorization, no matter what method you choose to use. First of all, you need to pray. We should pray before completing any activity, but especially memorization because of its difficulty. It is only by the Holy Spirit’s power that memorization is possible for any of us.

Before you begin memorizing, make sure you have a plan. I find that if I do not outline some goals for what I hope to accomplish, and include due dates, it usually does not happen. Maybe your goal could be to memorize the book of Ephesians in a month. Then you would want to break down that goal into smaller more manageable parts like five verses a day, or something like that. As the saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

I find that without a proper understanding of what I am trying to memorize, I will never get it. Even before I begin to memorize a passage, I will study it. It is helpful for me to print out the verse/passage on a piece of paper and read it over several times, noting what it says and the key words. Then I go through it and highlight key words with symbols. This helps me to understand what the verse is about. It is also important to note the context of the passage, who said it, when they said it, where they said it, why they said it, and how they said it.

Now to the fun part, the actual memorization.

1. One of my favorite methods of memorization is to draw pictures for each word, or phrase to help them stick in my memory. A word picture, or rebus, is very simple to make, it just take a little creativity. For example, in John 3:16 you could use the number four to represent the word for. For God, you could use a picture of God. For so, you could use a picture of someone sewing, and for love, you could use a heart. You get the idea. Once you have the whole verse in pictures (the little words like “an” and “in” you can just write), read the verse out loud from that card several times, then try to picture the illustrations in your head as you recite it from memory.
2. Another method that’s a lot of fun (and good exercise) is to put hand and body motions to the words. The more you get your whole body active in this memorization process, the easier it will be to memorize. To illustrate, Psalm 119:11 would go something like this: “Thy [point up toward heaven] word [hold hands like an open book] have I [point to self] hid [cup your hands as if you had something hidden in them] in mine heart [form a heart with your hands and place it where your heart is in your body], that I [point to self] might not [do the sign for “no”] sin [slap your hand] against thee [point to heaven]. Do the hand motions several times while looking at the verse, and then see if you can repeat it from memory. Make sure you really have it solidified in your head before you move on.
3. A fun way to memorize while doing chores or other tasks is by listening to the verses you are memorizing. There are several ways to do this. You can record yourself reading the verse, and then listen to that recording whenever you would normally listen to music. You can also listen to an audio Bible (many are available on the internet for free).
4. Even more effective than that is listening to the verse put into song. Many musicians have put verses to song, if you can get your hands on some of their music. One great online resources is freebiblemusic(dot)com, which offers many verses put to song for free. If you can find no songs for the passage you are memorizing, make something up. You can use a favorite tune, or make up your own. As long as it sticks in your head, it does not matter how bad the tune sounds.
5. During your memorization sessions, try reading the verse out-loud emphasizing different words. To illustrate, Deuteronomy 11:18^a says, “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart.” You could say, “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart,” and then, “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart,” etc. When combining this with some of the other methods I have mentioned, you will have the verse down in no time.

Remember to persevere. You will most certainly face trials from the devil who does not wish you to memorize, because he knows how beneficial it will be to your life. Memorization takes a lot of diligence, a lot of repetition, and a lot of prayer. Include all of these things daily to your memorization life.

Memorization takes a lot of diligence, a lot of repetition, and a lot of prayer.

How are you doing? What is the Lord teaching you about memorization? How has memorization benefited you? What are your favorite methods of memorization? I would love to hear from you! I plan to include your stories in my fourth article, so if you would like to share, email me at theindwellingwordministries[at]gmail[dot]com. I look forward to hearing what God is doing in your life through the memorization of His Word!

~Ashley (15)
{Guest Writer}

 

*Dallas Willard, in Vocatio

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