How to Memorize Scripture

 

Dear _________,

Our founders were so familiar with the Bible, it was a natural part of their conversations.  I recently heard David Barton speak, and he gave examples of elementary school curriculum that included memorizing an entire chapter of the bible each week!  That in-depth knowledge of God’s word flavored their outlook on every topic.  We would have called their way of thinking a “biblical worldview.”

Does God’s word flavor every aspect of your life?  What you say and how you say it?  What policy positions you hold and why? We, too, can influence others as well as public policy by bringing a biblical worldview perspective to matters of life important to all  Americans as God’s ambassadors.

Do you have a biblical worldview?  

This week, I want to challenge us to consider memorizing Scripture to achieve that goal. I was challenged by a spiritual mentor to begin memorizing entire chapters many years ago, and it has deepened my understanding of who God is and my knowledge of his character.  Even when I do not have a Bible handy, He speaks to me through his word and grants me His peace.

God tells his people that . . .

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways . . .” Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s ways are “higher.”  He told us in Hebrews 10:16 that he would be able to “write his word on the hearts” of his people. Memorizing scripture is the practice which God uses to write his word on our hearts. Why our hearts? Because it influences our thoughts, words, and actions (Mark 7:21-22).  It changes the way we think and allows us to bring a biblical perspective to all our conversations . . . even political ones.

God told Joshua that his word was not to depart from his mouth, and that he was to meditate on it day and night, putting feet to what he learned.

I would like to share with you a simple yet effective way anyone can memorize scripture!  I know someone who started memorizing books of the Bible in their 70s!

So, what do you say, shall we give it a try together? 

Choose a version of the Bible you are familiar with.  Many people today use New International Version, New American Standard Bible, or New King James Version.

Next, choose how you will access your verses throughout the day.  Carrying your Bible around isn’t practical for most of us. Putting your verses on index cards makes it handy to refer to them throughout the day.  You could also download them from the internet and print them out to carry with you.  I used index cards bound in a spiral.  Then, I could either print verses on mailing labels to put on the index cards, or I could hand write the verses.  I’m including some photos, below, so you can see the idea.  Mine was a gift from my Community Bible Study (CBS) core leader, who made one for each member of our core group as we memorized Ephesians 1 together. I then used it to memorize Psalm 139. I would take it with me when I drove my son to gymnastics, reading the verses at stop lights and then repeating it as I drove.

So, let’s look at how to do this one day at a time.

DAY 1

IMPORTANT: Memorizing a chapter at a time keeps the verses in context and helps you glean the intended meanings. We will start with Psalm 139, written and prayed to God by King David, a king of Israel who went through much tribulation and one of my favorite passages.  It consists of four stanzas, six verses each. The first verse of the first stanza is: 

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”

    • Say each phrase aloud several times
    • Put all the phrases together, saying them out loud.  Try without looking.
    • Continue reciting them aloud throughout the day (about 10 times).  I would do this while driving carpool!
    • It should take you about six seconds to say this one verse!   And you just discovered how well God knows each of his people! If you are visual, try writing them out a few times.

DAY 2 

      • Start by reviewing verse one.  Can you say it without looking?  If not, repeat method from Day 1.
      • Next, follow the same pattern for verse two.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” 

      • Now combine verses one and two and practice these aloud 10 times throughout the day. It takes only 14 seconds to say both verses. Does this give you comfort to know God understands everything about us?

DAY 3 – DAY 6 

      • Continue this same pattern each day, reviewing the verses you learned previously and adding a new verse each day.
      • Once you’ve memorized the first stanza, it should only take you 40 seconds to say all six verses.

DAY 7 

      • Continue reviewing your verses and follow the same pattern to add more verses to what you have memorized until you get to the end.  Go at your own pace and keep practicing it all as one unit.  You can do it!
      • Meditate on how God knows us intimately, is ever present in our lives, purposefully created us, and how this knowledge helps us trust him.

So, how can you use Bible memory in political discussions?  Psalm 139 is very applicable to discussions of the right to life . . .  When does it begin?  Who’s is the creator?   Verses13-14 tells us God is the Creator of life, and each life was created wonderfully!

This perspective can give understanding that God has created every human being for a reason, and as their Creator, has a plan for each one to prosper.

I hope this challenge takes you on a new journey with your Creator and lays the groundwork for civil discourse.

Will you take us up on the challenge to memorize more of God’s word? Let us know!  

For our future,

Debbie

Debbie Wuthnow
President, iVoterGuide

P.S.  The chapters that I’ve memorized include Psalm 139, Psalm 19, Ephesians 1, Philippians 1-4, Hebrews 12, 1 Corinthians 13, Psalm 23. Below are some suggestions for you.