More on Memorization

This is Part 2 to the article included in my last post.

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Memorization, to some people, seems like a frightful and looming task-- and there is the problem! “Task”! Memorizing shouldn’t be a task or a checklist, but something we eagerly go for, so that God’s Word isn’t just part of our morning, but the center of our whole day. It seems difficult, though, to remember so many words. Don’t let it beat you down! Ask God for strength and ability. He will honor His Word!

Some people find it easier to memorize a big chunk of a passage all at once while others would rather memorize shorter passages, consisting of just one or two verses. Either way is fine, as long as you are hiding it in your heart and not your head. Various people use different methods to memorize. There are many that I could suggest, but I would like to share with you just one very helpful method that I learned from a Bible study I went through (Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg).

Let’s take Psalm 119:9 as a practice verse. First, write out the verse.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Now, on a different paper-- preferably a 3 X 5 card that you can carry with you-- write the first initials of each word, keeping all punctuation and capitalization the same.

“W s a y m c h w? b t h t a t t w.”

Looking at the card with the initials will help to trigger your mind about what the word is, without you just reading the words mindlessly and repeatedly. This helps for quick reference throughout the day as you work it down into your heart and head as well.

One thing I have been doing recently as I have been memorizing is an in-depth study of each verse and writing it out in a notebook. This is helpful for me because it helps me to think about what the verse is really saying, and when I remember the content of the verse, I remember the words of the verse as well!

These are some random suggestions to make memorization more practical and helpful and long-lasting. Of course, it does not matter what method you use, but that you are truly engraining it in your heart. What a wonderful privilege it is to hold God’s Word not only in our hands, but also in our hearts!

Below are a few practical verses and passages to work on, if you have not been memorizing lately and would like something to memorize.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Psalm 101
Proverbs 4:20-27
Matthew 5:3-12
Romans 12
Ephesians 4:25-32
Philippians 4:8
Colossians 3:1-17