10 Tips for Memorizing Bible Verses

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There are so many reasons why you should want to memorize several Bible verses.

A few great reasons to memorize God’s Word include:

Gaining thorough knowledge of God’s Word brings you closer to Him. (Psalm 40:8) (Deuteronomy. 11:18)
It’s purifying. (Psalm 119:9)
It’s helpful to have verses ready to share with others. (Colossians 3:16)
It helps us avoid sinful temptations. (Psalm 119:11) (Psalm 37:31) (Ephesians 6:11)
It builds our faith. (Romans 10:17)
It’s comforting and helpful for you and those around you. (Psalm 119:50)
It sends Satan running. (Jesus quoted Scripture in time of temptation, Matthew 4:1-11)

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) says,

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Memorizing Bible verses can be a challenge, but what’s important to know is that it is indeed possible, and there are a number of ways to help you with memorization.

Here are some ways to help you prepare your brain and keep verses in your mind for easy recollection…

1. Set a time to memorize.

To memorize efficiently, you must set aside devoted time to learn and recite Bible verses. This can be as much or as little time as you have, but devoting the time solely to this task is important. Clear your mind and forget multitasking for a bit.

Use some of your regular Bible Study time, or work on it when you first wake up or before going to bed at night. Try to create a HABIT of memorizing a verse at your chosen set time.

2. Give yourself a goal.

Setting specific goals means you’ll have a much better chance at accomplishing them. Set a time frame for memorizing a Bible verse. Do you want to memorize one verse per week? Or, a passage of several verses in a month? Maybe you just want a few for a specific topic.

Whatever your objective may be, set your goal, and stick to it. Setting a deadline helps your brain prioritize the information you’re giving it, and you’ll be more likely to retain the verses in this manner.

TIP: Use your phone to assist you with reminders, alarms, or tracking apps. This will help you develop more consistency.

3. Clear your mind.

Before starting, it’s best to start with a clear head. A clear head helps you to focus and take in what you need. Exercise is wonderful for clearing your head and focusing, though any particular activity can be helpful. Sometimes knitting or crocheting, coloring, doodling, doing a household chore, a short walk outside, or any other calming, repetitive activity will get you into that relaxed focal state.

4. Write it down.

Visual and physical learners will retain information best by writing it down, over and over again. Pick one verse to start with, and write it down.

Take 15 minutes (or whatever may be your allotted time) and just write it over and over. Feel free to stop every once in a while, flip the page over, and try to recall it. Odds are you’ll be able to recite more and more each time.

TIP: It is also important to note that you’ll have better retention if you write with pen and paper. Typing it out a million times won’t be as effective.

5. Speak it, Sing it, Hear it.

Auditory and verbal learners learn best when speaking and hearing, so put your phone to good use. Pick out a Bible verse and speak it aloud while recording it on your phone. Not all of us love the sound of our recorded voices, but you’ll get used to it after a while.

Recite the verse several times. Then, go back to listen to it a few times. Repeat the process until you can recite it from memory.

In addition, you can always make Bible verse flash cards! Hearing someone else say the verse (hint: you can look for audio Bible verses online) or being forced to recall it and recite it out loud will help your brain retain the information.

6. Use all of your senses.

Not sure of your learning style, or want to make extra sure that Bible verse will stick? Some people like extra variety.

Combine several methods to memorize your verses. Speak the verse, while recording and writing it down. This will engage all of your senses and increase the chances of you retaining the information. It can also speed up the process considerably.

7. Make it memorable.

It’s usually easy to relate Bible verses to any topic. Associating verses with specific moments can help you remember them better. If you are a visual learner, you can attach a specific verse to a specific visual image as you practice it.

When you go to recall the verse, bring that image to mind and it will help you remember the verse. You can set special “triggers” for remembering different parts of the verses visually, physically (example: tapping a specific finger), or auditorily (with a specific phrase or song).

Some ideas for triggers might not be practical, depending on how much you want to memorize, but they can help with special verses you want to learn or a set of them for a specific theme.

TIP: Doodling out the words or putting a tune to the words can be helpful depending on the type of learner you are.

8. Teach other people what you’ve learned.

One of the best ways to learn is by teaching. Take some time with your Bible study group to discuss a certain verse you all wish to memorize. Or, you can challenge your children to do it with you, and make it a fun game. There are so many ways to pass on your knowledge, even if you’re still learning it yourself.

9. Leave Yourself Reminders

Write the verses you’re trying to remember on sticky notes or index cards. Leave these little notes in places where you’ll see them often. Your bedside table, the sun visor in your car, the refrigerator, bathroom, or at your desk are all common places you’ll see them often and be able to read these Bible verses multiple times a day.

TIP: Another hack is to use expo markers on your bathroom mirrors! Jot down the verse of the day or week and recite it every time you are in the bathroom.

10. Repeat, Repeat.

Repetition is the key to putting those Bible verses into long term memory. Work on creating a system in which you can review your memory verses (current and past ones) to keep them fresh into your memory.

Colossians 3:16 (kjv) says,

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”