Scripture Memorization

[ElijahSK]

I started this topic to explore the methods we use and reason we have for memorizing scripture.

First, my reason. I'm all for memorizing chapters. I started with Hebrews 11, then James 1, 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 6, and 1 John 3. All of these chapters are jam packed with good stuff. I memorize chapters of verses I would normally use if I wanted to talk about scripture. Or chapters I should normally keep in mind no matter what the conversation. Memorization is good to me because you can always be meditating on God's word. Even if it's time to sleep, you don't need a light, you can just quote it off the top of your head. I find chapters or big chucks are the best way to memorize because you not only have the verse to think about but also the context. Maybe people go through life with incomplete understanding of this or that verse because they've forgotten the context it was written in. There are many reasons for memorizing so I will leave some for you guys to use.

Now my method. To use my method, allot about 2 hours of time for about 20 verses (+/-5). Now that you have time to spare, begin by find a good chapter to start. No matter how long or short, don't worry about it just get started. Now that you have a chapter, here is how I memorize. Read the first verse, then without looking recite it aloud. You want to hear your voice to be able to identify when something doesn't quite sound right. Then open up notepad/wordpad (I don't use word because it tries to correct me too much), and type it out. Anytime you make a mistake start over. Read it, recite it, type it out. Once you're able to do the last two without looking, go to the next verse. Read it, then recrite the verse before it and it (you want to develop connection between verses), then type it out until you can do both verses without mistake. When I read the next verse, I make sure not to look back (this makes me do it by memory). When I recite them from here on out, I'll start reciting at least 2 verse before it. When I type it out, same thing. Every ten verses, I'll go over the past ten and make sure I do it perfectly before I go on.

At least once a day from then on (wouldn't recommend less than a couple times a week), I recite, type out, or write out all chapters memorized. One's I learned earlier I recite so that I'll get quicker saying them out loud and recalling them to memory. One's I've more recently learned I'll type out because they don't come out as smooth, and typing them will keep me from having to pause and lose my place. Usually when I'm going to sleep I'll pick a chapter and recite it giving different intonations and emphasises to particular verses. I find it allows you to understand the many different ways it may have been read to them. At any rate, it solidifies it into your mind yet again.

So that's my method. I found it to be very rewarding, even though I do it by myself. I guess that may be because Hebrews 11 says God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And even though I don't see it, faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. I don't physically see my old man crucified with Christ either, but by faith I know it to be so because Romans 6. And because I know that, and see I am blessed when I endure temptation it's not hard to count it all joy when I fall into divers temptations. (James 1) And trust me the reason I post this topic isn't to vaunt myself. But rather to let you know you can do it as well. Love never faileth, though prophecy may, and tongues will, and knowledge will vanish away, love will not. (1 Cor 13) And by my love for you I know that I have passed from death unto life. (1 John 3) So now with the word hid in my heart, I'm going to get started on my next chapter.

To restate the original intention of the post. What are some methods to scripture memorization? What are the reasons you have to memorize?

[EricH]

I started out memorization using a system put out by the Navigators call the Topical Memory System. I now memorize larger peices of scripture. I memorize because it is a good way to hide God's word in my heart

[Elihu's Girl]

Cool! Thanks for the advice... I'm going to try this... I usually just buy little bibles so I can carry them around with me.

[ElijahSK]

Here's one more thing I do that you guys may find helpful in your own endevours.

Once you finish a chapter, make flash cards or use any number of scripture memory programs to help you remember the verse numbers. That way, not only do you know the context, and you can quote the verse, but you can also give someone a specific reference when you spend them away with a verse.

Learning the verses helps when if you're like me and have what I call a "tape recorder" mind. In other words, you have to start at the beginning and fast foward to get to what your trying to use. Having multiple reference points (I do flash cards with the same # verses from the different chapters), helps you be able to start at any point throughout the chapter.

At any rate, it all comes together into a routine. For me I learn a verse well enough to write/type it out first. Then go back and repeatedly recite the ending phrase of the verses with the beginning of the next. This really helps me make it to that point where I can recall it quickly enough to recite it from memory. Because once I get to that last phrase, I already have the beginning of the next verse in mind. And once I say the beginning of the next verse, I know the verse. By the 4th day or so I can recite them from memory without much pausing.

Just an interesting note. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament with 7,957 verses in them. To memorize the New Testament in a year you'd have to memorize about 21 verses a day. To do it in 2 years just 11 verses a day. There are 929 chapters in the Old Testament with 23,145 verses in them. You could memorize the Old Testament in 3 years doing about 21 verses a day.

Be hard to keep all that memorized. I use Sundays to go over and recite everything I memorize. Couldn't exactly quote the Bible over the weekend. I'll let you know how I deal with that problem when I get a little closer to having it.

[branchesofHim]

I must mention one more very important thing in relation to memorizing God's Word.

We have the Author living inside of us and He will bring it to our rememberance.

John 14

"26": But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace.

[ElijahSK]

I completely agree. Even the words of our mouths are from the Lord. The Lord is the only good teacher, and he will give you remembrance of those things you've read/memorized many times.

More along the topic of this post though is why we memorize and how.

Here's a short clip from Psalms 119:5-18.

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

You'll find many reasons to memorize and meditate on scriptures in this passage.