There can be several reasons why you might commit yourself to memorize several verses from the Bible. One of the most beneficial reasons would be that when you are faithful to His Word, you learn to draw closer to Him because you start learning more about Him, but it’s handy to have verses ready for sharing with others.
Scripture advises us to always be ready to answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope you have and share the gospel (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:2). 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!
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness,”
Keeping memorized verses in your head can be difficult, though. What’s important to know is that it is possible, and there are several ways to help you with memorization. Here are 10 ways to help you prepare your brain and keep verses in your mind for easy recollection.
1. 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.
2. 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 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!
3. Set 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.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” – unknown
4. 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 occasionally, 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.
Using a creative Bible helps as well, some people are more visual than others and love to use color to aid in memorizing a verse, check out Pinterest for any journaling Bibles. Ooh I would love to include one in my products! Or some scripture memorization tracker! How about that?!
5. 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 flashcards! Hearing someone else say the verse or being forced to recall it and recite it out loud will help your brain retain the information.
6. Use all your senses
If you 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 your senses and increase the chances of you retaining the information. It can also speed up the process considerably.
It also helps to light a scented candle or make a cup of coffee to go with your memorization sessions, which helps you with involving taste and smell.
7. 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
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.
8. 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.
Also teaching others what you are learning in scripture is obeying a common task Jesus gave to His disciples in Mark 16:15, which is like killing two birds with one stone.
9. 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 your office 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.
Leave yourself visual reminders. Here at Worthy Expressions, our throw blankets are visual reminders of God’s word, so if you would like to have your favorite verse printed on a lovely blanket, suggestions are welcome for our next products. Reach out to us or leave it in your comments at the end of the article.
10. Prayer
I like to know by heart some of the scriptures that I can pray back to God. Psalms is full of verses to help you shape your prayers like Psalm 19:14. Prayer is powerful and is a way to draw closer to God. By praying Scripture, we are aligning with His heart and praying according to His will. More about prayer here.
The writer of Psalm 119 would agree that it is important to gain understanding of God’s word. When you truly seek Him, He will come through and give you supernatural understanding. He will help and guide you in sharing what you have memorized even to the point of guarding you and giving you wisdom.
“Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” – Psalm 119:34
Check out the prayer blankets in our shopping section to add flavor to your prayer or any room at home.
Colossians 3:16 “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.”
What’s your favorite Bible verse? Do you have it memorized? Leave a comment below with your best memorization tips!