Saturday, March 6, 2010

Memorizing Scripture: How should I memorize?

I want to finish this short series on Scripture memory by offering a few more helps on how to memorize Scripture.

Word-for-word or general idea?
Should we memorize word-for word, or just focus on the general idea of the verse(s) we are memorizing? I have to go with word-for-word here. To just get the general idea could be more hurtful in the long run. For example, if you misunderstand the general idea, how can that truth be helpful? Memorizing word-for-word allows us to reflect more on what the author is saying so that we can better understand the idea being conveyed.

Verse Numbers
One common question when attempting to memorize scripture is should I memorize the verse number? Really, I believe it's up to you. Chapters and verses were added by men, not by God. I would however advise that you definitely know the book and at least the chapter that your verses come from. Memorizing it all is good, but I don't think it's essential.

Suggested Methods/Helps
1. Write your verses on an index card and carry it around with you. This way you can review throughout the day.
2. Involve all your senses. Read it out loud. Look as if you're photographing the words. Move when you read it. Use gestures when reciting verses. Get your whole body involved. This reinforces what you are memorizing even more.
3. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!! Even when you have a verse "down," don't forget to review it often. The best time to review is when you are struggling. This does two things - it encourages you to keep going, and it trains you to turn to God's word and to God himself when you are struggling. Review in the shower, in the car, lying awake at 3 AM. I cannot stress this enough. You lose what you do not use!

Links
An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture - A good booklet by Dr. Andrew Davis about memorizing lengthy passages of Scripture. He gives the reason as well as a method for engaging in Scripture memory.
Scripture Memory System for Windows - A program that lets you enter verses of your choosing from a translation of your choosing. It also has various drills, practices and tests to help you memorize. It also allows you to create verse cards that can be printed out. My pocket holds some of the ones I have done now.
Mobilize Faith - for iPhone users - memorize scripture with the aid of your iPhone!

I hope this brief series has been helpful to you, and I pray that God would challenge you and lead you to memorize his Word. Let me know if I can be of any help to you in this journey.

4 comments:

  1. Hey Charles,

    Thanks for this great series on Scripture Memory! I've been challenged by the Lord to to really commit to this in 2010. I put up a website in January, http://scripturetyper.com, to help myself and others quickly memorize the word. I hope you find it helpful!

    Blessings,

    Brett

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  2. Hey Brett,
    I'm glad you've found my blog and have read my series on memorizing! Thanks for the link to your website; I'll definitely check it out. God bless you as you commit to memorizing Scripture this year!
    Charles

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  3. Hey there! Found and checked out your blog. Thanks for all the great info on memorizing scripture. It was one of my goals this year. Jerry has memorized the ENTIRE book of James so he sparked me on to try to do some memorization myself. Last year I mostly spent my time reading through the New Testament. This year I want to take it a step further. Miss you. Love ya.

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  4. Hey Randa!
    You're welcome on the scripture memory stuff - it's something that I myself have been challenged to do recently. Kudos to Jer for memorizing the whole book of James - that is awesome! I am going to memorize an entire book sometime, though I haven't quite decided when. I'm working on a big memory project now, but not a whole book yet. I miss you too and love you too!

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