I’ve always known memorizing scripture was right up there on the list of what good Christians should do.
Go to church.
Read the Bible.
Pray.
Memorize scripture.
It was part of the top four for sure.
And for me, going to church was no problem. Consistent Bible reading and prayer were more of a challenge. But memorizing scripture was just plain hard, if not next to impossible for me. In fact, scripture memory seemed like something only super-Christians did.
I remember my college years, how I used to study for hours and then finally take the test, only to promptly forget almost all of it as fast as one could turn a light off.
And this is the challenge whenever we try to memorize anything: How do we remember? How do we get it to stick?
Two years ago I began a large memory project to memorize the sermon on the mount. I learned verses and wrote about what I’d been learning. But then half way through that project I fell behind. I got discouraged. And I quit.
But failure is never final unless you quit trying. So the next year I joined a group of in-real-life friends who committed to memorize three chapters in the book of Romans over the course of the next year. It was called The Romans Project.
And just over two months ago, we completed and recited that project.
And I must say, memorizing God’s Word one week at a time has changed me, much more than I’d anticipated.
It’s refocused me.
Grounded me in truth.
And brought my heart much comfort on many hard days.
It’s a habit that’s only a few years old to me. One I would have never believed was even possible for me. But one that finds me with God’s Word wherever I go, in whatever situation I face.
What you know by heart, is what your heart really knows. ~Ann Voskamp
As I consider abiding and growing in Christ, I want my heart to know what matters most.
And I want that for you too.
Scripture memory is not just for a super Christian, it gives Christians a super strength. [Tweet that]
Memorizing is simply us, planting God’s Word in our hearts one verse at a time.
It’s us, learning to capture idle time and use it for something eternal.
It’s us, choosing to fix our minds on things above and internalize His Word.
Scripture memory is our answer for every situation. Our strength for any storm. [Tweet that]
And this year I’ll be doing memory work each week in James, with my local memory group, and in #theJesusproject (Part 1 and Part 2) with Ann Voskamp and her community.
And I’d love if you’d consider joining us.
I made a video with five tips for you. May you be encouraged today!
Five Tips to Make Memorizing Scripture Doable
{View this video HERE}
Five Tips to Memorize Scripture
1. Decide that it matters.
2. Remove distractions.
3. Make a plan.
4. Practice daily.
5. Find accountability.
Resources: Scripturetyper James Memory Printables The Jesus Project Printables The Value of Memorizing Scripture, by John Piper Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the strength and determination to spend time hiding your Word in our hearts, that we might be strengthened and encouraged by the power of your Word working in and through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Is memorization hard for you too?
What scripture have you memorized before?
Any tips?
Jacque Watkins is a mercy lover, and champion of second chances, who knows God’s mercy can find you too.
I wanted my kids to have a way to easily memorize verses so I created “Keeplets” which are bracelets (we even have ones boys would wear!) that allow you to insert a scripture card and see the word all day. Memorization is easy and they have God’s word with them everywhere. I have a Giveaway going on now at http://www.biblekeeplets.net/keep-in-touch/ where you can win two Keeplets of your choice. Check it out! God Bless!
What a great idea Jennifer!
To this day, the verses I remember most clearly are ones I memorized as a child. So I wanted to really instill many of those verses in the hearts and brains. I realized that doing one verse a week wasn’t “sticking” in their elementary school brains, so now we do one verse each month and by the end of the month they know that verse and know it forever (seemingly). Much of our practice time happens in the car and we say the verses, or parts of them, together aloud. I love how it really sticks!
We practice so much in the car too, and it’s amazing how much sticks. The kids really get into quizzing each other too, and it makes it fun to do it together as a family!
[…] We need our Lord and Savior. We need to bathe ourselves in His Word and Truth. We need to commit His Word to memory and call upon it in times of desperation. There is no greater need then this. His Word is our […]
I’ve been memorizing since 1983. What works for me, and what I’ve taught other to do, is in three parts. 1) Do an entire book. Nuts to individual verses. They’re tough out of context. I’ve done every new testament book including Mark but not the other three gospels. 2)Go through the book at least 4 times. First, do one verse at a time, then two verses, then three, then four–by then, you might have it all. 3) Put the book aside and go after another. I started with Philippians, then to Hebrews, then first John. I’m re-doing ! Jno currently. Then, I worked throughout Psalms. You can do this!!!!!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! Your story and tips are so inspiring. May we commit to this with our whole hearts, to know and love His Word. Because it really is life changing!
[…] We need our Lord and Savior. We need to prepare ourselves with His Word and Truth. We need to commit His Word to memory and call upon it in times of desperation. There is no greater need than this. His Word is our […]