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There are so many reasons why you might want to memorize Bible verses. Not only does a thorough knowledge of God’s word bring you closer to Him, but it’s handy to have verses ready for sharing with others.
Knowing specific verses off hand that are relevant to certain situations can be comforting and helpful for you and those around you. Part of being strong in your faith is being able to guide others in the right direction. Having Bible verses handy always helps!
How to Memorize Bible Verses
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Keeping memorized verses in your head can be difficult, though. What’s important to know is that it is possible, and there are a number of ways to help you with memorization. Here are some ways to help you prepare your brain and keep verses in your mind for easy recollection.
Clear your mind.
First things first, it’s best to start with a clear head. A clear head helps you to focus and take in what you need. Exercise is wonderful for clearing the head and focusing, though any physical activity can help. Sometimes knitting or crocheting, coloring, meditating, or any other calming and repetitive activity will get you into that meditative state.
Make some time.
To memorize something, you must take some devoted time to memorize it. This can be as much or as little time as you have, but devoting the time solely to this task is important. Clear your mind and forget multitasking for a bit.
Use some of your regular Bible Study time or each night before bed or make reading a Bible verse when you wake up a habit in the morning. If you need more ideas for making more time for prayer and study, I highly recommend browsing Pinterest. I always find fun stuff there!
Give yourself a goal.
Set a time frame for memorizing a verse. Do you want to memorize one verse per day? One per week? Maybe you just want a few for a specific event. Either way, set your goal and stick to it. Having a deadline helps your brain prioritize the information you’re giving it, and you’ll be more likely to retain the verses that way. Use your phone to keep you consistent with reminders, alarms, or tracking apps.
Write it down.
Visual and physical learners will best retain information by writing it down, over and over (and over) again. Pick one verse to start with and write it down. Take 15 minutes and just write it over and over. Feel free to stop every once in a while, flip the page over, and try to recall it. Odds are if you can, it’s in there!
It is also important to note that it’s better retained if you write with pen and paper. Typing it out a million times won’t be as effective.
Speak it, hear it.
Aural and verbal learners learn best when speaking and hearing, so put your phone to good use. Pick out a verse and speak it aloud while recording it on your phone. Not all of us love the sound of our recorded voices, but you’ll get used to it after a bit.
Feel free to recite the verse several times. Then go back and listen to it a few times. Repeat the process until you can recite it from memory. In addition, you can always make Bible verse flash cards! Hearing someone else say the verse or being forced to recall it and recite it out loud will help your brain retain the information.
Use all of your senses.
Don’t know your learning style, or just really want that verse to stick? Combine the above methods all at once. Speak the verse, while recording and writing it down. This will engage all of your senses and increase the chances of you retaining the information. It can also speed up the process considerably.
Make it memorable.
It is usually quite easy to relate Bible verses to any topic. Associating verses with specific moments can help you remember them better. If you are a visual learner, you can attach a specific verse to a specific visual image and as you practice it, keep it in mind.
When you go to recall the verse, bring that image to mind and it will help you remember the verse. You can set special “triggers” for remembering different verses visually, physically (i.e. tapping a specific finger), or auditorily (with a specific phrase or song).
Some ideas for triggers might not be practical depending on how much you want to memorize, but they can help with special verses you want or a set of them for a specific event. Doodling out the words or putting a tune to the words can be helpful depending on the type of learner you are.
Teach other people what you’ve learned.
One of the best ways to learn is by teaching. Take some time with your Bible study group to discuss a certain verse you all wish to memorize. Or, you can get your children in on it and make it a fun game. There are so many ways to pass on your knowledge, even if you’re still learning it yourself.
Leave yourself reminders.
Write the verses you’re trying to remember on sticky notes or index cards. Leave these little notes in places you’ll see them often. Your bedside table, the sun visor in your car, the refrigerator, and in your office space are all common places you’ll see and be able to read these notes multiple times a day.
Another hack is to use expo markers on your bathroom mirrors! Jot down the verse of the day or week and recite it every time you are in the bathroom.
“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)
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What’s your favorite Bible verse? Do you have it memorized? Leave a comment below with your best memorization tips!
