Psalm 119, James 3, Psalm 1—these are not verses I’ve memorized, but just some of the verses I have (unsuccessfully) attempted to memorize!
I’ve tried the whole memorization thing for years. Each attempt I dove head first, setting aside time every day to read, memorize and review my verses. Each time, I didn’t make it past 5 verses.
After distancing myself from the sting of what I felt was failure, and then doing a bit of research, I have established a four-pronged attack which I have found (finally!) successful in the area of Scripture memorization. (The following is a shortened excerpt from Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time by Lara Williams and myself.)
Hear it.
We need to hear His Word. In order to have that passage stick into our minds and bury into our hearts, our ears need to hear it over and over again.
I keep the audio version of my current memorization passage on my computer and on my phone. When my hands are busy but my mind is free to listen, I play the track. I listen while I drive. I listen while I clean toilets. I listen while I fold towels. I hear it.
Write it.
Something happens in my brain when my pen hits the paper. Writing things down helps me remember. It helps me remember what I need from the grocery store, and it helps me remember the Scripture I want to memorize.
Each week I take non-‐fancy, white 4×6 index cards and write out my verse or passage. I typically write it four times on four different cards so I can keep them in four different places.
I also like to write out the verse or passage in my journal every morning. Beneath my prayers of repentance and my words of thanksgiving, I write His Word.
Repetition causes remembrance.
See it.
I take those index cards and post them on my fridge, computer, shower door, and car dashboard. They serve as constant reminders of the truths for which my soul desperately thirsts. Seeing the verses imprints His Word upon my mind.
Speak it.
There is power in the spoken word. When we speak our verses out-loud they embed deeper into our hearts. This aspect is absolutely vital to successful memorization.
As I “hear” my verses while I fold the never-ending laundry, I talk with the recording. If it’s a new verse, I say it a half second behind the track. If I know the verse, I say it alongside the audio.
Speaking my verses solidifies the words in my mind and shows where I need to review. Speaking them enables me to remember.
If you find yourself stuck in your scripture memory efforts, try adding a few of these approaches to your routine and see if it helps!
Are you memorizing Scripture? Have you tried hearing it, writing it, and speaking it? What has worked for you? Share your struggles and tips below in the comments!
Written a post this month about scripture memory? Link it up below. We hope you’ll visit some other blogs, be encouraged, and leave some comments along the way!
For more tips and encouragement on how to connect with God through Scripture memory, journalling and personal Bible study, Savoring Living Water is available for immediate download to your computer, Kindle, and Nook. Second edition paperback copies are also available for pre-order, and will be shipped mid-January.
What great advice! I plan to memorize more scripture this year, including the book of James as I lead a group through Beth Moore’s new study. I will definitely use these suggestions, I like the idea of playing it on audio – probably when I’m in the car instead of just listening to music. thanks!
Awesome, Tammy! We’d love to have you join us in the #HideHisWord stream. It is for anyone memorizing Scripture. We tweet updates, share tips, and what we are learning through it all.
Thanks for the encouragement, Katie. Your four-pronged approach definitely makes it easier for me. I had been forgetting to listen, so last week I picked that back up again, and it did make a difference.
I think it is really helpful for FUTURE verses, too. If I listen to the chapter over and over again, then when I get to the later verses, they are not so foreign; instead they are “familiar faces.”
I still have a bit of catching up to do, thanks to Christmas chaos!
I just downloaded a free scripture memory app called “Remember Me” …it has a lot of really great tools–flashcards, scramble, obfuscation, puzzles, audio, etc. I’m adding verses now, can’t wait to give it a try!
Most of the scripture I memorized in 2011 came from listening to scripture set to music…Seeds Family Worship in particular, and also Philippians & Galatians (I believe I found linked to on this blog): http://www.covlife.org/ministries/music_and_worship/scripture_memory_projects
I love the Covenant Life songs! They were KEY to me memorizing Philippians. Wish I was talented enough to set Romans 8 to music…(NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!)
The kids and I love Seeds Worship!!
I have heard of the Remember Me app, but haven’t checked it out yet…thanks for sharing!
Ooo, slightly off topic, but if you like Seeds you might like this! Childrens catechism set to music, I put the kids to bed at night listening to one track on repeat.
http://askmewhooo.com
Fun! I have wanted to introduce catechisms, this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
I think your kids ages/genders are very similar to mine, another great catechism teaching resource is Starr Meades book, Training Hearts, Teaching Minds–it’s just the right age for my oldest and the younger ones catch some of it. It covers one question/answer a week with a daily reading that helps unpack and explain so the truth can marinate in their little noggins all week long (her book ‘Grandpa’s Box’ is a big favorite in our house too)
I love that app!!! It has been such a great help to test myself on the verses when there’s no one around to test me. =p
Great tips Katie!! I’m going to try to write the verses out this month. I can’t believe we are almost halfway through and I am actually getting it…mostly. =)
Press on, friends!
I am trying to make myself upload a video of our son-but it kind of freaks me out. Perhaps I will just blog about it when we finish next week the whole thing (Psalm 1). I am cool with me being on a video, maybe I will do that. Thinking…
Just do what you think is best! Looking forward to it!
Thank you — that’s very helpful.
Great tips! The hardest part for me is always the reference numbers. Also, when saying it out loud to teach my kids a verse, I’ve made motions for key words that begin new phrases and it actually helped me a ton as well.