Spiritual Disciplines Part 2:
How to Memorize Scripture

by Rebecca Livermore

If you’d like to memorize scripture, but aren’t sure how to go about it, try some of these suggestions to see what works for you.

1. Ask God to give you a driving desire to memorize His Word. It’s difficult to be motivated to do anything you don’t really want to do.

2. Do a Bible study that stresses the benefits of knowing God’s Word.

3. Decide what to memorize. There are many good programs on the market to help you with this. I have used the Topical Memory System (published by NavPress) successfully and have also benefited from LaVonne Master’s book, Memorize and Meditate. If you’d prefer to customize your scripture memory program, you can select individual verses (or chapters) that stand out to you during your quiet time, or choose a topic (such as purity), and either use a concordance or topical Bible to find verses relating to that particular topic.

4. Start small. Many people find it easier to initially memorize individual verses. If you do decide to memorize entire chapters (or even books), break the project down into manageable parts. Remember, every verse, chapter and book begins with a single word.

5. Set realistic goals. Rather than comparing yourself with others, determine what you are capable of and what God is asking you to do. Trying to go too fast can cause discouragement.

6. Before you begin to memorize a verse, read the verse in several different translations to aid your understanding. You might want to try writing your very own paraphrase of the verse. Then, write out a practical application. This will help you avoid memorizing for the sake of memorizing.

7. Repetition is probably the most productive method used in scripture memory. This can be done in the following ways:

a. Read (preferably out loud) the first phrase of the verse. Close your eyes and see if you can remember the phrase. Check the verse, noting any errors. Repeat as often as necessary. Don’t go on to the next phrase until you can easily (and accurately) quote the first phrase.

b. Record the verse repeatedly onto a cassette tape. Play the tape throughout the day. If it bothers you to listen to your own voice, have a friend or family member make the recording for you. For longer passages of scripture, you can listen to professionally recorded Bible tapes.

c. Write the verse out on index cards, one word per card. Each time you say the verse, remove an additional card until no words are left. In a short period of time, you can have the entire verse memorized.

d. Write (or type) the verse out several times. This method makes checking your own work easy.

e. Use mental pictures. An example of a verse that works well with this method is Deut. 6:7, “TaIk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Picture yourself sitting in a chair, walking along a road, going to bed, getting out of bed in the morning, etc.

8. Find an accountability partner. A good partner will encourage you when you become discouraged and can also help you review your verses.

9. Say the reference each time you say the verse, both at the beginning and the end. This helps you avoid being someone who says, “Somewhere in the Bible it says...”

10. It’s helpful to review previously learned verses on a daily basis for six weeks. After six weeks, move the verse cards into a weekly review box. Six weeks later, move those same verses into a monthly review box, etc. I find it helpful to spend one month out of every year doing nothing but reviewing each of the verses I learned that year.

When I consistently memorize scripture, I find myself drawn closer to the heart of Jesus and experience greater victory over sin. It’s not always easy, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.

REBECCA LIVERMORE is a free-lance writer from San Angelo, Texas.