10 Ways to Memorize Scripture

For All Learning Styles

Do you ever feel a little less than confident about where you’re going spiritually? Memorizing scripture is a method of “getting behind the wheel” and seeing that the Biblical route will really get you to where you want to go – closer to God. The more scripture you memorize, the more confident you will be about the direction you are headed.

Of course, having been a teacher, I realize that not all people learn things in the same way.  So below are eight different ways to help you memorize scripture.  Read through the different ways and try one or two that resonate with your learning style (read more about learning styles here).  Oh, and if you’re not sure where to start memorizing – ask around!  You’ll definitely know what you need more of (security, peace, direction, comfort, courage…), so ask around for where you can find some of that in the Bible!

1.  Write it out.  Copying the text is great for the kinetic learning style (the one who uses movement to learn) and the visual learning style.  Use all caps for the key words, or underline the parts of the verse that are important to you.  Write it out at least five times.  Another variant on this idea is to use different colors for the verbs.
2. Doodle.  Thinking about how to represent the main ideas in the verse via pictures helps the meaning of the verse sink even deeper into our brains, even if you have the artistic talent of a donkey.  So dust off your Pictionary skills for this strategy!
3. Make up motions. Put your left hand in, put your left hand out… Well, you aren’t going to do the Hokey Pokey, but you can help yourself memorize scripture by making up motions. Spend some time with your friends coming up with some memorable motions that go along with the Bible verse you’re trying to memorize.
4. Put it to music. Think of a song with a catchy tune. Apply the tune to the words for the verses you are memorizing. If you have a brain block, it’s always easy to put words to the theme songs of TV shows or kids songs!
5. Paraphrase the verse. Deeply understanding scripture can help you remember it more. Help yourself memorize it by writing it in your own words.  It will probably be longer than the actual verse in the Bible, but then memorizing the actual Bible verse will seem like a snap!
6. Hide and seek. Write your scripture out in large letters. Take a piece of scrap paper and tear it up into several small pieces. Read the scripture aloud several times (this is especially helpful for those who learn through hearing). Cover a main word with a small piece of paper and read the scripture aloud again. When you can remember the verse with the missing word, cover another word. Repeat, covering one more word at a time. Do this until all the main words are covered, but you still remember what they are.
7. Bring it up in conversation. Scripture is so important to our daily lives, and a good way to memorize scripture is to find ways that it applies to your day. Find opportunities to bring up your scripture in a relevant way (this is fantastic for the social learner, who likes to learn by discussing things in groups).  Think of it like a scavenger hunt and keep a record the approximate time of day and then how your scripture came up in conversation or applied to your day.
8. Repeat it out loud. A lot. Repetition is the key to memorizing, but it doesn’t have to be boring. When you read your scripture out loud, use different voices. Here are some ideas: Low | Opera | Pick an accent (British, Southern, other) | Slow | High
9. Reward yourself. Seriously! Pick an incentive for memorizing scripture (especially if you have memorized a good chunk), and reward yourself!  You reward yourself for other accomplishments in life (like finishing a term paper, completing a big project, or reaching a fitness goal), and scripture is so vital to a healthy life!  So place an appropriate value on it and pick a reward!
10. Post it EVERYWHERE! This is probably the most popular strategy for memorizing scripture.  Copy the verse on post-it paper or index cards and place it in plain sight everywhere you may linger.  For example, put it on the bathroom mirror and read it over and over while you brush your teeth (that’s a good way to make sure you’re spending two minutes brushing your teeth and you’ll get to multi-task for your soul!).  Or put the post-it note on your dashboard of your car.  Stick it in your lunch box.  Stash them inside different pairs of your shoes.  Stick them on the risers of your stairs.  You’ll come up with even more ideas, I’m sure!