Everybody learns differently. I will gladly share with you what has worked for
me and would encourage you to find what works best for you. While I have never
pursued such a huge undertaking as this one, I have memorized a few passages in
the past and know what has worked well.
1. Desire and Persistence. I
believe that if you're going to have success memorizing Scripture, you have to
first want to do it! It is much easier to learn anything when
you are motivated and have a positive attitude. (Thankfully, God not only gives
us the ability, He also gives us the desire! Phil. 2:13 "for it is God
who works in you to will and to act according to His good
purpose.")
2. An Overview and Understanding. I first read through the
passage several times and try to understand its meaning. I often look up verses
in a commentary (I use John MacArthur's) or do a word study on important
phrases. This helps me to connect with what I'm learning and it becomes much
more personal and real to me. When I'm meditating on the meaning of what I'm
memorizing, there is a much greater chance that I will have the ability to
recall it in an applicable situation.
3. Read and Re-Read. I read the
passage over and over and over again. I try to read it in the morning (after I
have taken a shower and am feeling awake and attentive) and again in the evening
before I go to bed.
4. Rote Memorization. After I'm very familiar with
the passage or group of verses, I begin to memorize the old-fashioned 'rote'
way. I close my eyes or cover up the words and say as much as I can. I peek
back down when I can't remember, then start over. And over, and
over.
5. Constant Reminders. I often write the verse(s) out on index
cards and post them around in various places. Above the kitchen sink, on my
dresser, on the fridge, on the treadmill, next to the computer, and (my
favorite) in the bathroom. I do NOT suggest posting a Bible verse on your
steering wheel.
6. Including Senses. I learn best by seeing and
hearing. I really look hard and study the words until I can see them in my mind
without looking. I even know where the words are on the lines and the
appearance of the page. I also say the words aloud so I can hear my voice.
Speaking it aloud is a good test because often I feel like I know it well but
when I try to recite it, I realize I'm not as confident as I thought. I'm not
in the car a lot, but a good suggestion is to record your voice and listen to it
while you drive to and from work.
7. Constant Review. The times that I
have had the most success memorizing have been when I've reviewed the verses
several times throughout the day. I start with going over the passage in the
morning. Then I keep a copy in my pocket and pull it out at odd times during
the day. Even as busy as we think we are, there are often brief moments of free
time. (Waiting in line, during a meal, while the kids are playing) If we learn
how to recognize these moments and seize the opportunity, we can quickly
multiply the amount of time we spend practicing.
8. Routine. I am a
very organized and routine-oriented person. Once I choose to work something
into my schedule, it gets done. I do my Quiet Time at a specific time each day
and incorporate the bulk of my memorizing at that time. If something comes up
and I miss a day or two, I am resolved to get back on track and continue when my
schedule goes back to normal.
There are so many wonderful resources out
there. Below are a few that you may find helpful as well. Regardless of our
method or how we go about memorizing, the important thing to remember is that
God is on our side! He wants us to do this! If we are in His word, we can know
with 100% certainty that we are in accordance with His will. And when we keep
our focus on Him, we can enjoy His most abundant blessings on our lives as we
reap the fruit that has been rooted in our hearts.
Extra resources for
tips on memorizing:
Click here for tips from Pastor John Piper. I
find it encouraging because he assures us that significant amounts can be
learned if we are just consistent in investing only a few minutes a
day.
This article from The Navigators and is nice
because it emphasizes connecting with the verse on a deeper level of
understanding through prayer.
This blog suggests a lot of the same ideas I
stated above.
To read a very exciting and encouraging blog from someone
who already memorized the book of John, click here!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Why Memorize Scripture
Pastor John Piper gave an amazing sermon in 2009 explaining the importance of
memorizing Scripture. I strongly encourage you to watch the sermon or read the notes for
it.
If you are too lazy to click, here are some of his powerful points as to why we need to put the Word of God into our hearts.
If you are too lazy to click, here are some of his powerful points as to why we need to put the Word of God into our hearts.
- Memorizing Scripture makes meditation possible at times when I can’t be reading the Bible, and meditation is the pathway of deeper understanding.
- Memorizing Scripture strengthens my faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ, and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.
- Memorizing Scripture shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint.
- Memorizing Scripture makes God’s word more readily accessible for overcoming temptation to sin, because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful promises of sin.
- Memorizing Scripture guards my mind by making it easier to detect error—and the world is filled with error, since the god of this world is a liar.
- Memorizing Scripture enables me to hit the devil in the face with a force he cannot resist, and so protect myself and my family from his assaults.
- Memorizing Scripture provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need.
- Memorizing Scripture provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because he talks to me through his word, and I talk to him in prayer.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
How it All Began
It was 5:00am and I was running on the treadmill. I put on some Praise and
Worship Music and the Lord began speaking to me. "Not now, God - I'm running,"
I thought. But thankfully, He didn't listen to me (and why should He?)
"Heidi," He lovingly said, "you spend all this time faithfully training your body. When are you going to get serious about making time for me?"
I'll be quite honest and admit that my initial thought was, "Lord, it's hard enough getting up this early to work out and now you're going to add spiritual conviction on top of that?" However, as I continued to plod on for a few miles and listen to the music that played sweetly in the background, I knew He was right. It was time for me to obey.
I don't know where the thought came from, but it certainly hit me hard and it was something that I instantly knew I needed to do. I needed to memorize the book of John. In those first moments, I felt a closeness to God - an intimacy with Him that I had been missing. ....Missing for a long time. His presence surrounding me was more real than the sound of my feet pounding on the treadmill. He was there. I spent the next several minutes thanking God for the challenge as well as for the desire and strength to do it.
Fifteen minutes later, I was in the shower. The beauty of 'the moment' had faded away and my mind was filled with the schedule of the day and all that I had to accomplish. Then, right there between the shampoo and conditioner, my second realization: "What on earth was I thinking?!" I rationalized and reasoned in an attempt to let myself off the hook. He couldn't really expect me to do that, could He? How on earth would I even begin doing such a thing? Who has that kind of time? Certainly not a mother of 4! ...Who just recently decided to start homeschooling!
Over the next few days, I couldn't get the idea out of my head. I calculated how many chapters and verses there are and tried to realistically think how much time it would take to accomplish such a monumental task. I realized that the task was indeed great. However, I also noticed that my motivation was great - giving me a sense that this desire was not coming from me, but was truly a divine inspiration from God.
"Yes, Lord, I will obey."
"Heidi," He lovingly said, "you spend all this time faithfully training your body. When are you going to get serious about making time for me?"
I'll be quite honest and admit that my initial thought was, "Lord, it's hard enough getting up this early to work out and now you're going to add spiritual conviction on top of that?" However, as I continued to plod on for a few miles and listen to the music that played sweetly in the background, I knew He was right. It was time for me to obey.
I don't know where the thought came from, but it certainly hit me hard and it was something that I instantly knew I needed to do. I needed to memorize the book of John. In those first moments, I felt a closeness to God - an intimacy with Him that I had been missing. ....Missing for a long time. His presence surrounding me was more real than the sound of my feet pounding on the treadmill. He was there. I spent the next several minutes thanking God for the challenge as well as for the desire and strength to do it.
Fifteen minutes later, I was in the shower. The beauty of 'the moment' had faded away and my mind was filled with the schedule of the day and all that I had to accomplish. Then, right there between the shampoo and conditioner, my second realization: "What on earth was I thinking?!" I rationalized and reasoned in an attempt to let myself off the hook. He couldn't really expect me to do that, could He? How on earth would I even begin doing such a thing? Who has that kind of time? Certainly not a mother of 4! ...Who just recently decided to start homeschooling!
Over the next few days, I couldn't get the idea out of my head. I calculated how many chapters and verses there are and tried to realistically think how much time it would take to accomplish such a monumental task. I realized that the task was indeed great. However, I also noticed that my motivation was great - giving me a sense that this desire was not coming from me, but was truly a divine inspiration from God.
"Yes, Lord, I will obey."
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