Bible Memory
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not
sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11
The Challenge to Bible Memory
Have you ever been arrested for reading your Bible? For carrying it with you to a church service? For witnessing to the cashier in Wal-Mart? For distributing tracts in public? If you live in America, you probably haven't. We have so much freedom to soak ourselves in the Word of God and give it out to others. We can freely own Bibles and openly read them at any time of the day wherever we are. We can have a Bible on display in every room of our houses, carry them in our pockets, and read and study them for hours. Yet many “Christians” allow entertainment, sports, recreation, and other time-zapping activities to push the Bible to the bottom of their priority list.
In parts of the world today, thousands of persecuted Christians do not have a Bible to read. They cannot open their Bibles to their favorite passage for comfort in their trials. Soon it may be our turn to sit in prison for days without the written Word of God. Or to have our houses searched and all our precious Bibles confiscated. Yet today we have the written Word of God, brothers and sisters! We are commanded to redeem the time because the days are evil. This is our chance to hide God’s words in our hearts!
Do you value the Bible as a priceless treasure? Do you rejoice over it as one who finds great riches? Are you hungering and thirsting for the Word of God? The Bible is my most-priced possession, for it is the Word of God. The Bible is my Life. It is nourishment for my soul and light for my feet. If you are born again and this is your testimony too, I challenge you to get serious about memorizing the Word of God with me. Young person, this is your chance!
My Experience With Bible Memory
I have designed this website to help those who want to memorize large portions of the Bible. For several years, I had wanted to get serious about Bible memory, but everytime I made a start, it seemed impossible to be consistent for a long period of time.
Our church was memorizing the book of James. In June 2004, when we were on chapter one, I determined with God’s help to memorize two verses a day, six days a week. I began taking two verses each day, Monday through Saturday, and using Sunday to review what I had already memorized. I finished the Book of James, using this schedule, then I took some time to review the Book of Titus and Matthew 5–7, the “Sermon on the Mount.” I had previously memorized James 1 and 3, the Book of Titus, and the Sermon on the Mount, but because I hadn’t reviewed them like I should have, I had to rememorize a lot.
Next, I began memorizing the Book of Romans. Recently, my schedule has not allowed me to keep adding new verses, so I am taking this time to review some passages I have memorized. Even though I can't memorize as much as I would like to, God, by His wonderful grace, is blessing me richly through Bible memory as I meditate on the verses I have memorized.
Getting Started With Bible Memory
Here are some things I have learned that I want to share with you as suggestions:
1. Each morning write your verses for the day on a 3 x 5 index card. I recommend that you date the card at the top and number the verses. Carry it with you during the day. Then you can memorize your verses whenever you have a few spare minutes, for example, when you are on lunch break, taking a walk, sitting in the car going to town (when you’re not driving), or waiting in the doctor’s office, etc. Depending on the type of work you do, you can even memorize while you work, but be careful not to steal time from your employer.
2. Carry some of the most recent cards with you so you can easily review the latest verses you have memorized.
3. Read the verses aloud to yourself as you are studying them. It helps to write them, read them, and say them.
4. Use memory systems. This is a very broad subject, and I cannot discuss every system that has been used in the past, but here are several that I have used:
a. Memorize verses in pairs as I mentioned above. This helps you link the verses together when you recite them.
b. Take notice of beginning words. For instance, verses 11–14 of Romans 2 each start with for. So if you remember that these 2 pairs of verses begin with for, you have something that links these verses together.
c. Notice key words and phrases that repeat themselves in multiple verses. Romans 1:23 talks about changing the glory of God and verse 25 talks about changing the truth of God. So verse 25 repeats a thought that was mentioned in the previous pair of verses.
d. Form mental pictures in your mind. This is helpful when you have a list to memorize such as in Romans 1:29–31. You can form a story in your mind and link the items together to help you remember each item in the correct order.5. Use music to help you memorize Scripture. You can go to Scripture Songs for free downloads of Scripture songs in mp3 format. A number of Psalms have been set to music using four-part harmony. It is hard to find quality music on whole chapters of the Bible. If you know of another source for Scripture songs that you recommend, please e-mail me.
6. Use a Bible memory program on your computer. You may find the Scripture Memory System software helpful. It is free to download from the software download page.
7. Review, review, review! Never forget the importance of reviewing what you have memorized. Try to find someone else you can recite your passages to.
8. Stay encouraged and motivated. Please don’t get discouraged if you can’t keep up with the schedule I suggested. It is better to memorize less and retain it, than to memorize too fast and lose it all, and in the end completely give up.
Interaction With Other Bible Memory Enthusiasts
Visit the Bible memory forums where you can find others who are interested in memorization and learn from them. You can also tell others about your memorization efforts. Maybe you have learned something that can be a blessing to someone else or spark an interest in Bible memory.
Conclusion
Please don’t let the above suggestions hinder you. What works for one person, may not work for someone else. But hopefully, you have found something here that has inspired you to become a Bible memory enthusiast!
Memorizing 2 verses a day is hard and takes a lot of effort and diligent commitment. Don’t be surprised if you have to change your lifestyle. Expect to get weary of reviewing hundreds of verses.
But brothers and sisters, the rewards are priceless! God has many blessings for you that will be discovered when you begin consistently memorizing His words. We are commanded to redeem the time, and memorizing Scripture is a great way to redeem the time. You will have something to fill your spare moments with. Your knowledge of the Bible will increase, and you will have something spiritual to meditate on continually. As you train your mind to think on God and His words, you will grow and your life will be changed.
Young people, this is our chance! Let’s take it while we are young! Generally, as we get older, responsibilities increase; let’s prepare ourselves for the responsibilities that lie ahead by eating and drinking the word of God and growing thereby.
—Lavern Gingerich
If you would like to e-mail me, please write to
What Scripture Memory Can Do For You
In his book, How to Study the Bible for Yourself, Tim LaHaye lists seven things that Scripture memory can do for you.
1. It will give you victory over sin.
2. It helps you overcome worry.
3. It will give you a confidence in sharing your faith.
4. It speeds up the transforming process.
5. It assists you in discovering God’s will for your life.
6. It helps in your other Bible studies.
7. It outfits you for unlimited service to God.
Free Psalm 1 Mailings
Now you can easily get started with Bible memory! I will help you memorize Psalm 1. Just submit your name and e-mail address through the form below and you can start getting your free daily e-mails that will take you step-by-step and teach you how to memorize Psalm 1.