Memorizing Scripture: You Can!

A couple of years ago, I was leading a bible study group for young girls. I assigned them a Bible verse each week to memorize. We wrote them on index cards, recited them together, and learned the meaning. Without fail, every week the girls would return and say they just couldn’t remember it. It was too hard!

One evening, the girls arrived and I told them we were going to play a game. We all sat in a circle and each girl thought of a favorite song, and said just the first line. Anyone who knew it started singing along. Song after song, the girls chimed in. They knew them all! We laughed and sang, and remembered “old” songs from when they were younger.

Once everyone settled down, I kindly pointed out that they had memorized those songs without even trying. Why? Well, they answered, because they liked them and heard them all the time. Hmmn. Why is it you say it is impossible to memorize scripture, I asked. As they began to get what I was saying, one by one they began to bite their lips, avoid my eyes and thumb through their Bibles.

I didn’t mean to lay a guilt trip on them, yet that’s exactly what I had done. But you know what? It worked. We brainstormed ways to memorize scripture and I encouraged the girls to recite their verse at least once a day.

The next week, every single one of them had memorized a verse.

I cried, of course. But that’s beside the point.

The funny thing is, I had been in similar groups with some of these girl’s moms and many of them said the same thing about memorizing Bible verses. It’s just too hard! I have heard so many women say this, and I myself have been lax at times out of laziness.

There are so many reasons to practice memorizing God’s Word. I will share just a few today. But first, abolish all excuses.

Memorizing scripture is not hard.

Think about all we’ve memorized in our lifetime:
• Songs
• Speeches from history
• Poems
• Excerpts from plays
• Funny lines from movies
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Bank account numbers
• Social security and driver’s license numbers
• Important dates
• …and so on.

Now that we’re biting our lips and looking shiftily around the room, read on for some reasons to inspire you.

God says so

Yep. Just look:

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Who can argue with that? God commands us in this, as in all things, for our own good! He knew what He was doing. Read on for more benefits.

Memorizing Scripture Keeps you From Sinning

Psalm 119:11: I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus quoted scripture to Satan when he was tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Satan was actually distorting the scriptures and Jesus set Him straight with God’s word.

Don’t you want to make sure you can stand against the devil’s schemes? I know I do!

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:17, when he is talking about standing firm against the devil that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. Use it!

Memorizing Scripture Helps you Encourage Others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Jesus said that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matt. 12:34)

How awesome is it when you are sharing a problem with a friend and they give you the perfect scripture? I know God has used many women to speak His Word to me when I needed it, and I strive to be that kind of friend to others.

What kind of friend will you be? Will you give flippant advice based on feelings, or reach out to others with God’s healing words?

Memorizing Scripture Trains Your Mind

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

How do we renew our mind?

Philippians 4:8 gives us a clue: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

How do we know what is true, noble, and right? There is only one source that tells us for sure. The Bible!

I hope you’re convinced! What is your all time favorite memory verse? Share it with us and inspire someone today.