What comes to your mind when you hear “Scripture Memory?” Do you roll your eyes and groan? Maybe the last thing you need is one more item to add to your “Good Bible Study Girl” to-do list. I don’t mean to take a flippant attitude toward the Bible, but sometimes we have thoughts like this, don’t we?
When it comes to memorizing Scripture, many of us have been there and done that. We remember reciting our verses in Sunday school to get the candy. Some of us gave up on Scripture memorization a long time ago because we can’t remember our phone number, much less memorize a Bible verse.
Yet memorizing God’s Word is one of the most important things we can do to grow our faith, so I’m starting the New Year with a new commitment to memorize Scripture. I usually don’t get around to making New Year’s resolutions until February, but I already know I want to make memorizing God’s Word a priority in 2019.
Why I Desperately Need to Memorize Scripture
To be honest, most days I could use something better to think about than my own whining thoughts. I need a way to take God’s Word with me when I go out into the world. I want to strengthen myself to overcome the lies and discouragement Satan throws my way. That’s why I’m going back to Scripture memory.
How Memorizing Scripture Changes Your Life
Memorization is a practical way to store God’s Word in our hearts and keep it close. His Word grows our faith and strengthens us in the battle against sin and unbelief. It comforts us in sorrow and discouragement.
Committing God’s Word to memory brings rich rewards:
- It helps transform our thoughts and renew our minds.
- We grow closer to God as we treasure His Word.
- God’s word empowers us and gives us wisdom.
- Scripture is our weapon against the lies and attacks of the enemy.
- It gives us encouragement and hope to share with others.
How to Get Started:
Keep a running list of encouraging, helpful, or challenging verses as you find them in your daily Bible reading or hear them in church. Then you’ll have a list to choose from when you want to start memorizing. (Note: some readers are joining me in a Scripture Memorization plan for the year. See more details below.)
Decide how you want to record your memory verses so you can refer back to them. The note-taking app on your phone may work for you. Personally, I love humble, low-tech, index cards that I can easily slip into my pocket. I also keep my verses in a little handy notebook that fits in my purse. Use something small and portable, so you can take your verse out and read it during the day.
Then just start with one verse:
- Read your verse 5 times out loud.
- Write it down.
- Try to say it 5 times from memory. (No shame in having to look back and check.)
- The next day, read it 5 times, and say it from memory 5 times.
- Go back to the same verse every day for a week.
- When you start a new verse, review the last one several times a week.
What better way to treasure God’s words than to memorize them? What if we start this week with just one verse? Even one verse is a powerful deposit of treasure into our hearts and minds.
I may not know my phone number, but I’m not going to let that stop me from memorizing this gem from Scripture:
Would you consider joining me? Each year I prepare a Scripture Memory Guide for subscribers. It’s never too late to get yours. Subscribe to FaithSpillingOver and hit reply when you get your Welcome Letter to let me know you’d like your copy of the guide.
You may also want to read this post on how to memorize longer passages.
Now it’s your turn: Does the thought of memorizing scripture overwhelm you or encourage you?
Mmmm….Scripture does help us focus on what’s right and praiseworthy versus our own whiny thoughts. So true! Hand raised here, my friend. Glad you’re starting this year in His word and are encouraging others as well.
You’ve been a great example for me, Kristi!
Great post, Betsy! Memorising Scripture is something I’ve found really helpful. It helps me understand it on a deeper level rather than just skimming over it. Lamentations 3:21-26 is actually the last passage I memorised as part of a challenge back in the autumn and it is a great one to know!
Wow, that’s awesome that you have that one memorized, Lesley! It is a great one. I memorized it last fall too, but want to return to it! <3
As a Lutheran schoolgirl, I had to memorize hundreds of verses. They are now securely anchored in my heart. I’m writing verses every day to meditate on them and help me memorize new ones. Great tips, Betsy–sharing on Pinterest and Twitter.
Wow, hundreds of verses! What a rich deposit you carry around in your heart, friend. What a gift.
I love this encouragement to memorize Scripture, Betsy. Memorized verses shape my thinking and my words. So thankful for the ones that are hidden in my heart.
Thank you, Crystal! Yes, memorized verses can renew our thoughts AND influence our speech (and writing!) So true!
Made me so happy to see you also don’t get around to resolutions until February. I so appreciate the points about memorizing God’s Word too…especially that we could use something better to think about. When it comes to obeying “think on these things” it’s helpful to remember Scripture is pure, lovely, true….
Thank you, Bethany! And I’m SO glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t get myself organized for a new year until February. 🙂
Betsy … All those sacred words planted in my heart decades ago are as alive and fresh as the day I memorized them. And with a meaning and impact deeper than ever.
Praise God for the power of His Word …
And bless you for encouraging us to continue hiding it deep within.
What a beautiful thought that is, Linda! It’s true! The Word is always fresh and alive.
Love this, Betsy. I’m not super good at memorizing Scripture, but I have seen it so helpful. Especially when I’m in a situation that calls for God’s Word, but I don’t have my Bible handy and looking it up online would ruin the moment. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! XOXO
I know what you mean, Liz. I’m not that great at it either, but when I put my mind to it, I can do it. (A phone number, I can never memorize!)
Love this call to memorize His Word girl! I am like a squirrel when it comes to memorizing Scripture, so I keep it visible throughout my day to remind me of His Word and over time it gets more deeply woven into my heart. 🙂
I’m like you, Nicki. If I can, I like to keep it visible throughout the day to remember it again!
Thank you for pointing us to God’s word and providing the tools to get started. Your list of rewards fro memorizing scripture are perfect. Knowing God’s word will aide us in combating the enemy is reason enough for me. You are your words are a blessing.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Mary! Yes, His Word helps me combat the enemy for sure. Blessings to you. You are a light!
Sorry I missed this post last week! I just scheduled to share it on Thursday in our Hide His Word facebook group. Scripture memory is one of my critical spiritual disciplines to help me focus my crazy brain. 🙂 We’re about to start memorizing Philippians 1 together at Do Not Depart so this will be great encouragement for all of us!
Oh wow, that is so cool that you’re memorizing Philippians 1 with a group. I’m not sure what Do Not Depart is, but it sounds good! At church a group of us are memorizing Psalm 1. It has been so good!
Can I get a copy of “12 Scriptures to Build Faith in 2019” I would love to work on memorizing verses with you.
Sure thing, Amanda! I’m sending it your way now. <3