Three Ways To Memorize Scripture

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 CSB

Ironically, this is the very first scripture that I memorized! I needed to know why I should memorize scripture, and here it is: If you don’t want to sin all the time, memorize scripture so that you know right from wrong.

It doesn’t get much easier than that, y’all. 

Obviously, there’s more to it, but this verse helped me realize the importance of memorizing the scripture versus just knowing that it exists in some way shape or form.

I used to be known for my Mel-Versions, quoting the Bible in a way that got the point across, but wasn’t completely right. And don’t even get me started on the references (the book, chapter, and verse).  But, over the time I have spent trying to memorize scripture, I can usually pull the address out as well as the verses when I’m talking to people about what the Bible says.

And that’s a pretty neat goal, right?

These ways aren’t the end all be all, but they are two ways that I have tried and really enjoyed learning/memorizing scripture.

Write It Out

All you need for this technique is a notebook and some pens (or pencils). I personally like pretty notebooks and pens, because they make me want to use them more often, but anything with paper works. 

Pick your scripture, whether it’s one verse or a few, and read it in whatever version you want to memorize it in.

Read it a couple of times, out loud.

Then, I want you to write it out. Write it ten times a day. The repetition, as well as use of multiple learning techniques (reading, writing, and saying it aloud), helps us retain the information.

When I started to memorize the beatitudes, I would do one verse for a couple of days, and then add the next one to it. By the end of it all, I definitely had “blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs,” (Matthew 5:3 CSB) memorized. 

By the time I memorized it all (it took an embarrassingly long amount of time. This is not my gift) I had taken up quite a bit of my notebook.

There’s no trick of the trade with how long it takes, just take your time and remember why you’re doing it! 

Another fun thing to do that falls under this category is Verse Mapping. Writing out the verse and dissecting it in a way that helps you remember it. Writing the definitions of the words, finding cross-references in other places in the Bible, making it into a prayer. All of these things create a time of really studying the scripture, forcing us to really focus on what it says versus just reading it for the sake of reading it.

Memorize the first letter

I learned this one specifically from an app called “VerseLocker” (which I recommend 100000%) and it works so well!

Start with reading the Bible verse out loud (this really is so much better than just reading it in your head), and then take your notebook out and write it out once.

Or you can just download VerseLocker!! Which is completely free!!

Underneath the verse, write out the first letter of each word. 

For Psalm 119:11, I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you, it would be “IHTYWIMHSTIMNSAY.”

Now, I usually pretty it up a bit. A blank piece of paper with a pretty design of treasures and pirates and a heart, and this jumble of letters written on it.

It might take a few times, but eventually, just seeing the letters in order will help you remember the verse and the way it goes.

In my Mel-Version, I would say “so that I will not sin against you,” which isn’t correct. But, by following this method, I corrected myself naturally. Now, I’m not saying that learning the paraphrased version of a verse is less impactful than memorizing the verse as it is in the Bible, it’s just my own preference! Find yours, and stick to it!

Then, you just write the letters out and work your way through them. Your brain will start to connect the letter to the word, and it’ll be second nature!

The next step is to test yourself without the letters, which is different for each person. I personally have a bit of a problem the first few times, but it’s almost like you’re memorizing the letters instead of the words at first, so it isn’t as overwhelming.

Accountability!!!

While both of the previously mentioned ways are great, this one is my personal favorite. 

I need incentives, and I am not afraid to admit that that also includes in my faith, too. 

Grab a friend, and quiz each other. Text each other daily and remind one another about the goal to memorize the scripture. Give yourself some treats! 

I have a stash of twix in my room that I get to eat if I memorize my scripture verse! (It’s surprisingly effective AND it tests my self-control).

You could easily start a club where you send each other voice memos (on the iphone) or just call and say the scripture verse.

I wasn’t a part of Awana, but my husband makes it sound like it’s similar to this. You want to earn the badges, so you memorize and then say it in front of everyone. There’s no stronger reason to succeed than wanting to avoid embarrassment. It’s embarrassing to be wrong in front of people, so start a group! Accountability!

DeeDee, our resident teacher (did y’all know she taught for half a million years?) pointed out that there are several other ways to learn and memorize, other than these three tactics. Visual learners may be able to learn the scripture by just reading it over and over again, while an auditory learner may need to create a song or chant. (I will be of no help to this, but if you’re interested, we can find some resources together!)

Memorizing scripture can be difficult, because it’s overwhelming. But, just like with anything worthwhile in life, it takes perseverance and repetition. By having Scripture memorized, you can rely on God's Words to flood your heart and mind with the Spirit's guidance. Imagine if a catastrophe hit and you no longer had your Bible to reference... how many verses/ words/ stories would you be able to remember?