Do you think Scripture memory is hard? Boring? Well, I agree that it can be hard, but there are so many ways that you can make it easier and more enjoyable. Instead of viewing it as a chore, we want to take delight in soaking up God’s Word, right? I think that using multiple memorization techniques can make it easier to learn and help to make it a pleasure and not just a duty. In this post, we are going to look at 6 simple tips to memorize Scripture!
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11
1. Pray
With every new habit you want to form, the first place to start is prayer. And of course, Scripture memory is no exception! Out of all the tips to memorize Scripture, the most important one is to start with prayer.
Without Jesus’ help, we can do nothing. We need to ask Him to help us be able to remember the verses and be consistent in working on our Scripture memory. Otherwise, it will probably fall by the wayside. Ask the Lord to help you make it a habit. That is a request that He will delight in answering!
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
2. Listen to Audio Bible
This is probably my favorite way to memorize Scripture. I have a Bible app on my phone that allows me to download dramatized Bible chapters. You can set it to play a whole chapter on repeat or just narrow it down to a verse or a few verses. The same dramatized version is available on this website. Turn this on and while you are taking a shower, getting dressed for the day, or doing a lot of ordinary tasks, you can also be listening to the Bible and taking it in.
Sometimes it is helpful to recite it along with the audio. I like to work on a short section sometimes, playing several verses on repeat, but longer tasks like showers are good for listening to the whole chapter multiple times.
After a while of working on a chapter, it’s easy to start feeling stuck. When you reach that point, try starting at the beginning of the chapter and putting the first 2 verses on repeat. The next day, put the next 2 verses on repeat. And so on. Doing this helps you have a different perspective on the chapter, and it can make it easier to learn the order in which the verses fall.
3. Put it on a Sticky Note
This is a trick that I included on another topic in one of the Ruby stories. Put up a sticky note with a verse of two. Place it in a prominent location where you will see it often. You might want to put it on your bathroom mirror, on the front of your refrigerator, on the dash of your car, or somewhere in your bedroom. If you want to, you could actually put it in multiple locations.
When you see the sticky note throughout the day, read it out loud to yourself. I have used this method to build a new habit, and I would love to try it for Scripture memory. You would be surprised by the difference it can make to see something continuously and repeat it to yourself.
4. Find a Scripture Memory Buddy
Are you lacking in motivation and need some accountability to help you be consistent? Find a Scripture memory buddy! Maybe you can find someone in your home whom you can study with. If not, you could probably find a friend who would be willing to hold you accountable.
Who knows? They might even join you in memorizing Bible verses. That way you could share the tips to memorize Scripture that you learn and help encourage each other to keep going. Not only would they be helping you, but you would be helping them at the same time!
5. Read a Verse Before Bed
There is a lot of power in what you think about before you go to sleep. A lot of times your mind continues to dwell on what you were thinking about, even after you drop off to sleep. Why not put your sleep time to good use?
Before you crawl into your cozy bed, look at the verse you are memorizing. If it’s long, you might just need to take a phrase or two to focus on. Continue repeating that verse to yourself as you fall asleep. After you are asleep, your mind will probably continue working on it, and the next morning you should be much closer to knowing a new verse!
6. Have a Reason for Memorizing
This is really good for you to think about before you start memorizing. It’s also important to think about when you are struggling with motivation. Why do you want to memorize Scripture? There are many good reasons why we should memorize Bible verses. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 said that he hid God’s Word in his heart so that he wouldn’t sin against Him.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He answered those attacks with words of Scripture. The three times He was tempted Jesus responded with, “It is written,” “It is written again,” and “For it is written.” Jesus quoted Scripture to the enemy. That means that He memorized Scripture while He was here on earth!
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:3-4
We need to have God’s Word in our hearts to help us resist temptation, refute Satan’s lies with truth, and provide us with comfort and encouragement. It’s also a blessing to be able to pray back God’s Words when we talk to Him. Another thing to think about is that there have been many times when people were denied access to God’s Word through persecution, blindness, and other circumstances.
If this happened to you, how much of the Bible would you still have with you? How much would I still have? It’s a question we should all think about!
Simple Takeaway
- Ask God to help you remember His Word and to help you be consistent in meditating on it!
- Listen to the Bible as you are working. Keep it in front of you on a sticky note. Find someone who can memorize with you.
- Know why you are memorizing. If you want to, write down the reasons you have for memorizing Scripture. When you find yourself slacking, look at the list and remind yourself why you started. Don’t quit!
Interested in more? I have 6 more simple Scripture memory tips for you if you are interested!
Let’s Chat!
Which of these tips to memorize Scripture resonated the most with you? Do you have one to add?
Until next time, hide God’s Word in your heart!
In Christ,
Bethany
