Why Memorize Scripture?

Some of the reasons to memorize Scripture include: communion with God (to know and enjoy God), to renew our minds, to be able to meditate on God’s word day and night, to fight against sin, to overcome the devil’s temptations, to aid in counseling, teaching, and evangelism, to enhance our prayer life, and more. If Jesus didn’t think he could handle life without knowing the Scripture inside and out, what makes you think you can? (Matt. 4:1-11; Psalm 1; Psalm 119:9,11; Col. 3:16; Josh. 1:8; Eph. 6:17; 2 Cor. 3:18; Prov. 25:11; 1 Pet. 3:15)

A Method for Bible Memorization

Sunday: Read the week’s passage to be memorized with surrounding verses so you can see it in its context. Ask the Lord to help you commit the passage to memory, apply it to your life, and use it to bless others.

Monday: Read the passage with the reference 10 times aloud. Then cover the passage and say it aloud with the reference 10 more times, looking if you need to. Say each memorized passage from previous weeks one time aloud with references.

Tuesday: Cover the passage of the week and try to say the verse(s) aloud with its reference 10 times, looking if necessary. Say each memorized passage from previous weeks one time aloud with references.

Wednesday-Saturday: Recite this week’s passage and each memorized passage from previous weeks one time aloud with references.

Pray, Review, Repeat: Ask the Lord to help you retain what you memorize and use it to minister to others and feed your own soul. Steward idle moments during the day to call this week’s passage to mind. Repeat passages from prior weeks once daily for at least 50 days. After that, once every week or two.

Suggestions inspired by An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture by Andrew Davis, scripturememory.com. See also, fighterverses.com.