Disciple Together

“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” ~Psalm 1:2-3

Over the years, I’ve tried a few systems for memorizing scripture. I recall going for long lunch walks up and down the steep hills near work, repeating Isaiah 61:1-3. It seemed to take forever to commit any portion to memory. 

I downloaded apps that promised to help… but I didn’t use them for very long. Consistency eluded me.

It really wasn’t until I had my children and started to teach them scripture (or rather, review with them the scripture that they were learning in their Wee College bible class) that I was  able to latch on to something that worked for me. 

I regularly reviewed the short passages with them, using many of the tools we’ve explored in my Memorizing scripture with Kids post. 

And after the 8 months of that program, I was able to see what small, consistent efforts yield! I had also – inadvertently, accidentally! – memorized scripture! It was so encouraging to me. 

The next transformation came when I stumbled upon this Youtube video detailing Charlotte Mason’s scripture memory system.

It gave me a clear, simple, QUICK method for reviewing scripture daily. We began filling out our box in 2023 and have about 50 scriptures there now. 

While reviewing is great, the actual process of committing these verses to memory is also important. Nothing beats repetition, but here are some other strategies that I use regularly when learning a new verse:

1. Start with what you know. Bring to mind any scripture you already know, and start there.  There are many passages that are familiar within greater society, and these can be a great place to start. Here are a few:
   1. John 3:16
   2. Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd…)
   3. Genesis 1:1
   4. Matthew 22:39
   5. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer)
   6. Luke 6:31
   7. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
2. Look for patterns: Are there words that repeat? Or even beginning letters? 
3. Notice rhythm: If I can attach a rhythm – or better yet even a melody – to a scripture, it becomes a lot more ‘sticky’
4. Try a different translation. Sometimes slightly different wording helps
5. Practice and correction. When I practice and use the wrong word, I will commit that one word to memory. This process does feel a little like hard work. It’s intentional. It’s concentration. It goes something like this:
   1. For God so loved the world, that He gave his only son (I forgot the ‘one and only’)
   2. For God so loved the earth, that He gave his one and only son (I said ‘earth’ instead of world)
   3. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son. (completed without errors this time)

It feels kind of like I’m laying new tracks in my brain, picking up the ones I laid wrong, laying them again. And in a sense, I suppose that’s what I really am doing. 

6. Imagine a story or picture to go along with the scripture. If there are details that you forget in the scripture, be sure to take some time to imagine them, visually. For instance:
   1. Matthew 5:23: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar…” I’m not just offering the gift, but I am offering it ‘there at the altar’ so I imagine an altar in front of me. This can be especially effective for memorizing things that don’t seem to go together, like the titles of the books of the bible. For instance, there is a great little video about memorizing the books of the New Testament here:

7. Listen, Speak, Write. Use all of the techniques available to you to repeat the verse. Find a song that includes the verse and listen to it.
   1. Did you know there’s even a musical version of the Bible in the Bible app? Switch your version to ESV, and then switch narrator to ESV Music Project. 
   2. Some people find a wholly different experience when they write out lines using pen and paper (and for some, this might just invoke childhood memories of detentions spent writing lines on the board – do what works for you!)
8. Remain faithful. There’s no way around it; building memory requires small, consistent effort. Which is great news if you are a busy person! You don’t have to commit to 30 minutes per day, or even 10. Scripture memory can take as little as 1-2 minutes per day. To form and keep a strong habit,
   1. Use a cue: Attach your scripture memory time to an already-existing habit in your day. When do you have the time and attention to spend a few minutes on scripture memory?
   2. Acknowledge your success along the way! If you don’t see how you are progressing, you’re far less likely to keep going. Celebrate when you memorize your first passage. Or when you can do 10 verses without looking. Create a chart, get gold stars. You’re an adult, you can buy **gold stars** and give them to yourself (and others, if you want) You can even buy yourself a cake – or a steak. Or a trophy! Nobody checks. 
9. Lastly, yet crucially, you must see yourself as someone who can memorize scripture. Too many people fail because they don’t believe they can succeed and so they don’t persevere. That’s not God’s truth for you. If you struggle to believe you are capable, start with these scriptures:
   1. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ~James 1:5 
   2. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
   3. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” psalm 119:11

“Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” ~Proverbs 7:2-3

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” ~Colossians 3:16

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” ~Joshua 1:8

“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” ~Psalm 1:2-3

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” ~‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭7‬

Why this matters

We will be led in our lives by what we read, and what we meditate on. The world is continually feeding us its ‘truth’ and if we are not continually feeding on God’s truth, we are more and more likely to believe lies. The word of God is our sword to combat these lies, and we need to practice using it, and have it always at the ready for any battle.