- 1). Memorize the location of a verse. You will eventually have to memorize the verse itself, but by memorizing where it can be found in the Bible you can easily look it up for reference. Name the book, the chapter and the verse out loud to yourself until stating it is second nature. For example, say "1 Peter 2:24" out loud if you wish to memorize that particular verse. Don't worry about exactly what it says; what's important at this point is to know where to find it.
- 2). Learn the gist of the verse. Read the verse itself, and repeat it over and over again in different ways. Emphasize different words, and speak it in different rhythms. Occasionally say it along with the location of the verse. The most important thing is to repeat the words often, even if you stress different words and syllables each time. Eventually, it will get into your head, making recitation of the verse second nature.
- 3). Keep practicing and reciting Scripture. Memorization is more of a mechanical process than you may realize. As you repeat a phrase over and over again, you will simply get used to saying it until you can recite it practically without thinking about it. This is best done when there are few things that can distract you. Be careful when trying to memorize Scripture while driving or at work. Your mind is (and should be) on the task at hand in both scenarios. That kind of environment is not conducive to memorizing long passages from the Bible.
- 4). Write down the verses you want to memorize. This can easily become something of a crutch if you overuse it, but sometimes having what you wish to memorize on a piece of paper in your pocket can be a great help. If you ever need a reminder of the verse of Scripture you need to memorize, simply glance at what you have written down. Of course, you do not want to rely on this too much; knowing that you can simply read a verse can trick you into thinking that you do not need to memorize it.
previous post
next post