Have you ever wondered how many scriptures you have memorized? I have lots of pieces running through my head. I can be heard saying things like “There’s a verse that says something like…….. And I think it’s in the book of…….” But If I’m honest I don’t have many complete verses and references memorized. I actually want to sit down and write them out and keep a log of them, but I haven’t done that yet.
Towards the end of last year I had this renewed nudging to memorize more scripture. Like many things in my life, scripture memorization has ebbed and flowed. In January I decided my family would learn one scripture a month and I would learn two. I was trying to make reasonable goals that could be accomplished, but goals nonetheless. And here it is the beginning of February and we haven’t fully memorized one piece of scripture. Oh we’re at the point where we can help each other out and together we can piecemeal it together, but it’s not fluid. And so, I write this for motivation for myself and I hope it will be for you too.
Why Should I Memorize Scripture?
We may think we don’t have any need to memorize. Most of us have multiple Bibles sitting around our homes and in various translations. We have Bible apps on our phones. We have Google for goodness sake! Scripture is always at our fingertips.
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
Having His word in our hearts and minds (not just buried in the Bible) will help us keep His statutes and commands at the forefront of our minds so that we do not sin.
“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19
This one convicts me. Are His words impressed on my heart and soul? Can I teach them to my children when sitting around my house or when I’m walking (driving) down the road? If His word is in my heart and mind I’m much more apt to be ready and able to share it in the midst of our everyday conversations.
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16-17
We gain so much when the word is within us!
What Should I Memorize?
Pretty much anything!
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us all scripture is inspired by God.
During different seasons of our life, we may cling to different verses.
Are you going through a trial? James 1:2-5
Do you need Hope? Romans 8:18
We should always be praising Him and giving thanks. Psalm 100
Do you want to be more prepared to share the gospel? Memorize the “Roman Road” (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13)
There are over 23,000 verses in the Bible, so really, it’s almost endless.
How Do I Memorize Scripture?
I learned one of my favorite ways from my mom. She taught “Children’s Church” when I was young and often used this method. (Raise your hand if you went to “Children’s Church” while adults went to “Big Church”). My mom would write the verse out on a chalkboard (I like to use a whiteboard). She would point to each word as we all read it aloud. Then she would erase one or two words and we would read it again with the missing words. Repeat over and over until the board is completely erased and you can still say the scripture. This is very quick and works so well with children.
Kay Arthur of Precepts International suggests writing scripture on a note card and reading it every time you eat a meal. By the end of the week you should have it memorized!
Make your verses beautiful and hang them on your walls. Looking at them, and reading them, every day will commit them to memory.
For a bigger portion of scripture, read it every day for 30 days. By doing this you’ll also discover new truths you may have missed the first time.
Singing scripture is one of the most effective for me. So many can be found online in song form. The only problem? If you ask me to repeat it to you I may have to sing it back to you. This is also how I know the books of the Bible in order.
A Word of Caution
Scripture can easily be misquoted.. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a scripture on Pinterest or Instagram and thought to myself “hmmmm…..that doesn’t sound quite right.” I look it up in my Bible and find out that words may have been eliminated or added. If you’re going to memorize scripture, make sure you’re learning the accurate words.
Scripture can be taken out of context. I bet many of you know Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This one is often used to encourage people to take on something big or go for the gold because you can “do all things.” However, when we look at it in context we see that Paul is speaking about being able to be CONTENT in every circumstance because Christ strengthens him. Taken out of context it means something very different.
Use reputable translations. This goes for all of your Bible studies. Do your due diligence and research the translation you wish to memorize from. Use one that is close to direct translation from the original Greek and Hebrew in order to be true to the Word of God.
One More Thing
I seem to be able to memorize, but have difficulty in retaining. This is one reason I want to write down memorized scripture so that I can be diligent in reading them over and keeping them committed to my memory. My daughter, Anna, made scripture cards to help with this process. Consider memorizing these, then printing them, cutting them out, and putting them anywhere and everywhere that will help you retain them! Click on the image below, or download the file here.
I would love to hear from you. What scriptures have you committed to memory? Which ones do you pull up in times of need or times of rejoicing?
About the Author: Lee Ann DeRoos – Arise Ministries Collective Board Member and Treasurer
“I’m a simple girl. I love jeans and sweatshirts, decaf coffee and dark chocolate. I am a servant. Learner. Worshiper. Gluten-free baker. Hobby Farmer.
I am a wife, mom of two, and daughter of the King, always striving to get out from under my bushel to let His light shine.”
Love this! Want to memorize Hew 13:8!
Love this LeeAnn!! I admit, I have not made memorizing scripture a priority in my life recently but this is great encouragement to do that!! When I have memorized scripture in the past, it is usually something I ‘need’ in that season. So much more for us to hide in our hearts!! The Roman Road that you suggested is first! Thanks.
Thank you for sharing. My children attend Awanas at BPBC. It melts my heart and fills me with pride to know my children are having fun every Thursday while carefully and repeatedly tucking Gods words into their hearts and minds. At Awards night, recently, the kids who completed their books are called up on stage to receive an award. This year several adult parents and leaders were called up. They had been memorizing and completing the same books as my children! I was inspired and filled with a desire to regularly memorize scripture myself. I’ll admit this post has been open on an internet tab on my computer for weeks! I opened it to read “later” and did not read it until just now…. after Awana Award night. Funny how God lines things up. Looks like I might need to order a book for myself as well as my kids in the fall.
Also, I really like using temporary tattoos to memorize scripture. I’m not committed to getting a real tattoo but the scripture temporary tattoos I get from Armed with Truths website are beautiful and small. I started putting them on the inside of my arm. They last about a week and i’m able to read it repeatedly throughout the days. I found they actually attract a lot of attention and it’s a wonderful way to share with people.
I love this, Heather! Awana has always been a catalyst in scripture memorization for children, but how much more powerful that the adults are involved, too! Why do we think it should stop when we grow older? The Arise team praises your efforts to model this for your kids and learn the verses for yourself.
And the tattoos! Thanks for letting us know about these. We’d never heard of them before. Great idea!