In January, I renewed an old commitment to hide God’s Word in my heart. Scripture memory does not come easy for me. I’ve started, stopped, and restarted this discipline multiple times over the years. I stop because it’s hard and it takes time. I restart because the effort and time is more than worth it.
Do you memorize Scripture? I can think of several really logical reasons to NOT to do it. For instance, I have dozens of full translations at my fingertips all the time with the handy Bible app for my phone. And it never forgets. Plus, life is busy and Scripture memory takes time and effort. I can quickly search for and find any passage or verse I need. You’ve probably thought along the same lines.
But don’t stop reading! Hear me out!
Before you stop reading, give me a chance to convince you that Scripture memory is not only worth it, but that also, it can be done. In this post, I’ll give you 6 benefits of Scripture memory and some practical help.
If I can memorize Scripture, anyone can. My memory is not what it used to be and even when it was its strongest, it wasn’t great. But with a few helps and some discipline, I am doing it!
A Few Benefits of Memorize Scripture
My favorite psalm – which I have committed to memory – paints a beautiful picture of the benefits to a person who internalizes God’s Word.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sits in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Everything he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3, NIV
There’s a drastic difference between having easy access to Scripture and making it a permanent part of us. Memorizing God’s Word solidly entrenches His truth in our hearts and minds in a way that simply reading it or searching for a specific verse cannot. When His truth is firmly planted in us, its roots can stretch out everywhere. Then God can use its presence to minister to us in very powerful and personal ways.
Here are six ways – and these are just the beginning – God can work in our lives through His implanted Word:
- Provide comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Col 3:15-16; Ps 1:1-3; 119:28)
- Give guidance and wisdom (Psalm 37:31; Psalm 119:24, 98, 105)
- Transform us spiritually (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 2:2)
- Equip for evangelism (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 18:28)
- Fill us with joy (Psalm 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:21-25)
- Strengthen us against temptation (Psalm 119:11)
A Few Practical Tips & Resources for Scripture Memory
What do you think? Willing to give it a try?
My Scripture memory method is fairly old school. I write the verses out on 5×8 index cards to memorize and review. A new thing for me too is that I’m working on larger chunks of Scripture rather than just 1 or 2 verses at a time. That helps me keep God’s truths in context. I work on about a verse a day until I have it solid and then add the next verse.
Sometimes I carry the cards with me. But I’ve also taken photos of each card and sorted them in my phone photos into a Scripture memory folder. That way, if I’m out and have a few minutes to review and I get stuck, I simply look on my phone.
- Bible Memory App – there are quite a few apps available to help you memorize Scripture, but this one has the most and highest ratings. If apps are your thing, check it out!
- His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope – I read this book in January and it fueled my desire to recommit to Scripture memory. This best advice I got from this book was to take advantage of my “free brain time.” For instance, while I’m vacuuming, driving, washing dishes, or exercising, my body is busy but my thoughts are free to review my Bible passages. A good time for me is during wakeful periods in the night!
- 7 Activities to Help You Memorize Scripture – Since learning styles vary, what works for me, may not work for you. But, chances are, one of these activities will work for you.
- 7 Scripture Memory Tips – Again, not all of these will help you, but at least some of them will!
- Scripture Memory Plans – Not sure what verse or passage to memorize? Visit my Free Resources page and browse the plans there!
Which of these six ways encourages you most to want to memorize Scripture? Why?
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Kathy, thank you for these resources. This is an area I’m working on in my own spiritual walk. I think my brain is made of teflon because it is so hard to get things to stick in there! These tips and resources will be so helpful. And for me, #2 is the biggest motivator. If I allow God’s wisdom to guide me, I will make much wiser choices and have his perspective when it comes to all the other areas listed. Thanks!
And by the way, I am LOVING your new study, Embraced by Holiness! Just finished studying Week 4 and it is powerful!!!
Hi Laura, I have “Teflon brain” too! The older I get, the slicker my brain gets! Lately, I’ve been working to review passages I’ve learned in the past so they don’t slip away for good. It is work, but it is doable and so worth it!