Bible Memorization can be a bit frustrating. I try to learn scripture, but to be honest, it doesn’t stick. I cram a few verses in my head and a month later they are gone. There must be a better way.
Christian meditation, for me, is also a challenge. It is easy for me, during my morning “devotional time” to open a Bible and start reading. I have a prayer list that keeps me on track praying for others. But what I have found more challenging is staying focused when I just want to be quiet and listen.
God tells Joshua (Joshua 1:8) to keep the law always on his lips, meditating on it day and night. This is God’s prescription for how to “be careful to do everything written in it.” What are the results? “Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Clearly, knowing God’s word enough to keep it “always on your lips” requires that we actually memorize it. Without that, we need to open a Bible or read a card on the refrigerator to remember it. That’s not going to work while I’m driving the kids to school.
And although we can discipline ourselves to rote memorization, I have found that to be incredibly boring. Not only that, it doesn’t stick. Six months later, that verse is a vague recollection, not a solid memory.
As I was browsing some of my favorite blogging authors, I ran across an article by Christine Hope at taketheleapblog.com. She really spoke my language as she described how our memorization gets pretty mechanical some days.
Blending Bible Memorization with Devotional Meditation
After a bit of research and prayer, I have discovered that these two problems, 1) the desire to meditate and 2) the need for Bible Memorization, actually blend together into one, holistic solution. I have begun a focused, intentional plan that allows me to meditate on scripture, and also memorize it. This creates a beautiful circle, where the verses I am learning deeply become the source of my meditation, while meditation helps me to learn deeply.
Using Our Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength
It turns out we each learn differently. The author at Arabahjoy.com describes Bible memory techniques for several different learning modes.
I agree that we have preferences in how we learn. But in fact, we all learn in all modes, even if we are strongest in one area. We need to hear. We need to see. We need to move.
I am using my visual learning when I read a verse over and over. I use audio, and even physical when I speak the verse out loud. I use the physical when I write. I even use my thinking and pondering skills, when I study.
Then finally, God uses His own Spirit to connect with mine as I pray and meditate.
So here are my steps. I hope they are helpful to you. I have been using a journal to write the verses out and keep track of these steps. If you are interested in downloadable journal pages for this check out my Etsy shop.
Select the verse or passage you wish to learn. Start with something short. If it is important enough to learn, it should be important enough to meditate on. Choose carefully.
Plan to work with this verse for 5-7 days. Record the verse in your journal at the top of a page.
Day 1
- Select the verse
- Read the verse in context. At least read the chapter around the verse, so you can understand where the author is coming from.
- Write it out at least once in your journal.
- Read it OUT LOUD 10 times. (It is amazing how powerful this is)
- Close your eyes and try to recite the verse. It is probably in short-term memory by now. Even so, keep following the pattern below, so it sticks!
- Pray for God’s help in understanding and applying it to your life. Be mentally quiet for a couple of minutes. Listen for that quiet voice that directs your focus.
- Remember, Christian meditation is NOT about emptying the mind. It is about focusing on the Word of God. Scripture starts that focus. The Holy Spirit expands it.
Day 2
- Write the verse two times at the top of the journal page.
- Explore a commentary for this passage and the surrounding chapter(s). Are there any aspects of the verse that are controversial? Are there any concepts that you hadn’t considered before?
- Repeat the verse OUT LOUD 10 times.
- Close your eyes and recite the verse. I bet you have it by now!
- Pray, and consider, asking the Spirit to show you what your next step will be with this verse.
Day 3
- Write the verse two times at the top of the journal page.
- Choose one key word in the verse that needs deeper understanding. words like “fear”, “peace”, “love” are so rich in meaning. They are worth a bit of meditation time.
- Use a Bible Dictionary to get a sense for how the word is used.
- Repeat the verse OUT LOUD 10 times.
- Close your eyes and try to recite the verse. If you succeed, attempt to write the verse from memory.
- Pray, and consider, asking the Spirit to make the word you have selected take root in your life. Repeat that word mentally several times, playing with its meaning. Let the Lord direct your thoughts.
Day 4
- Repeat day 3 for a different word.
Day 5
- If there are more key words you would like to focus on, repeat day 3 again. Otherwise, move forward to day 5.
Day 6
- If you are content that the verse is solid in your heart and mind, take a day off! Otherwise, repeat day 5 as necessary.
Day 7
- Review any verses from previous weeks, using flashcards or other memory helps.
- Don’t skip this review process. At least for a month or two, every verse should be recited at least once a week, to get it settled into your long term memory.
Some Tools that Help to Combine Meditation and Bible Memorization
Journal
I keep a simple “mini” 3 ring binder with lined paper and some tabs. My binder takes 5×7 paper, or A5. For me that is a portable size but large enough.
In that journal, I have a 2-page spread for each day that focuses on Bible Memorization and Meditation. I use that to write the scripture. I also use it to record any notes that come from my context, key word study and research. More importantly, I write anything the Lord is teaching me during that time.
I know that a lot of people take great pleasure in creating pretty pages in their prayer journals with lots of doodles and colors and pretty sayings.
Although I like pretty things as much as the next girl, I find the doodling is distracting to me. Other people find that it helps them focus. You will have to see what works best for you.
You can get the downloaded journal pages from my Etsy Shop if you are interested.
Flash cards and box
I have a pretty 3×5 box for Bible Memorization that I found at an office store. Inside the box there are 4 tabs: Future, Current, Short-Term Review, Long-Term Review.
I keep the current verse with me on a flashcard. I also have a notes app on my phone that has my current verse, so I can look at it during the day.
The box is used during my morning prayer time, when I am doing review. You might also take a look at it when you are heading to bed.
I often will recite a verse (silently) as I am drifting off to sleep. However, it is a verse I already know. It is amazing how that quiets my heart and directs my dreams. You will know which verse you need.
How does this process fit into my daily devotional?
I know that there are other aspects of your devotional life that take time. You can explore several traditional devotional practices here. This routine takes me about 20 minutes a day.
If my morning time is limited to 30 minutes, then my priority is to add intercessory prayer to the above routine. For me, the combination of meditation on the scriptures, including memorization, and praying for others is grounds for a really solid day.
If my time can expand to an hour, which it often can, then I add solid Analytical Bible Study, or the reading of a good devotional book. The Spirit will lead you on the best use of your time.
Try it!
This process is working well for me. It lets me blend my meditation and devotional time with bible memorization. Each part supports the other.
Let me know in the comments below how you memorize the Bible. What is working for you? This is such an important piece to add into your Spiritual Practices, that it is really worth sharing with each other what is working for us.
