by A few weeks ago, I wrote an article encouraging people to memorize Bible verses.
Ps. 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
After talking with a few people, I realized it would be nice to put a list of ideas to help people with memorization. Below is a list of ideas to fit any lifestyle and any age.
- Get past the idea that you have to follow another person’s memory plan. Create your own. Something that works for you.
- Take as long as you need. If it takes two weeks or a month to remember one verse, that is fine. If you remember one verse a month, you will have remembered twelve verses a year.
- It is important when memorizing to affect as many senses as possible. So, writing and speaking verses out-loud helps with memorization.
- Writing can be accomplished in fun, unique ways. Write in color, write each word in a different color, or use different color combinations per verse. Get a pack of colored pencils and use them all if necessary to write a verse. Some people are visual learners and need to “see” things written down and writing in color helps this kind of learner.
- Sing, yes, sing. Some people are auditory learners and need to “hear” things to help them remember. You do not have to sing the verse to someone else to quote it, but sing it to learn the verse.
- Make fun hand-motions for certain words. Example, if a verse has the word “by” in it, I wave my hand in a good-bye motion. I know this sounds funny, but it helps. Another example, for the word “through” I make a circle motion with my finger. These are just a few ideas. You may think of other fun hand-motions to make with certain words. Sign language motions would be great.
- Write the verse out and cover up one, two, three, or more words at a time. Then remove the cover-up papers and see if you remembered it correctly. Keep covering up words until you have them all covered up and have the whole verse memorize.
- Do not worry if weeks later, or months later you cannot remember the verses you learned. Trust me, they are hidden in your heart. The Lord will help you remember them when you least expect it.
Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity of working with a group of children. They were of various ages, from various families, and with much worldly influence. One Bible study, they started firing questions at me from all directions. They were so excited about the things they were learning; but the things they were learning were opposite of what they had been taught by the world. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed, but I took a breath and went on with the class. I was astonished at the various Bible verses I remembered to refute their worldly ideas. Sometimes, I could not remember the whole verse or even the reference, but I remembered parts of Bible verses and it was enough to satisfy their curious minds and questions.
So, no need to worry if you cannot remember verses after you supposedly memorize them. I believe this is a tactic of Satan. He has God’s children think that since they cannot remember verses they learned a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, then Satan has them convinced they cannot memorize Bible verses at all. However, our God has overcome evil. He has overcome Satan. Trust God. He will bring memorized verses back to your mind when you least expect it. Go ahead, have faith, and try him. Memorize verses and see what happens.
Eph. 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
If someone has other ideas for memorizing Bible verses, please feel free to leave a comment for others to enjoy.
