Scripture Memory

Why Memorize Scripture? 

1. It is commanded by God.

Deut. 6:6 – And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.

Josh. 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

John 8:31-2 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 2. We are called to know God – God has chosen to reveal himself to man by and through his Word.

Hosea 6:3 – Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

3. The memorized Word will help us direct our daily lives.

Ps. 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

4. It provides spiritual nourishment.

Jer. 15: 16 – Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: fro I am called by thy name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Job 23:12 – Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I Pet. 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Acts 20:32 – And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

5. It can provide confidence in the Word, God, and ourselves.

Isa. 55:10-11 – For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

6. Helps us achieve victory over sin.

Ps. 119:9, 11 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to they word…Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Ps. 37:31 – The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

7. Helps us achieve victory over Satan.

Eph. 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Mat. 4:4, 7, 10 – But he answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”…Jesus said unto him, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”…Then saith Jesus unto him, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

8. It helps you see yourself as you really are.

Heb. 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

9. Helps you meditate on God’s word.

Ps. 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

10. It will help you share Christ.

1 Pet. 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hears: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

How to Memorize a Verse or Passage from the Bible

1. Choose a verse or a passage.

1. from your quiet time

2. from sermons, bible studies, etc.

3. from pre-prepared packets (e.g., Topical Memory System)

4. from key verses related to evangelism, doctrine, themes of Bible books, etc.

5. from assigned verses

2. Understand a verse in its context. BEFORE you memorize a verse, make sure you understand its meaning in context.

3. Develop a system or plan.

1. verse pack

2. note cards and card file

3. computer

4. Divide the verse into natural, meaningful phrases. Learn the verse word for word, phrase by phrase, sentence by sentence.

1. advantages of learning word perfect

   1. it gets set in your memory

   2. makes it easier to review

   3. gives boldness when tempted

   4. gives confidence in sharing

2. When memorizing cite: topic, reference, verse reference.

5. Memorization helps:

1. use a tape recorder/walkman: verse, pause, verse, pause, verse pause, another verse, etc.

2. Display verse in prominent places. (mirror, etc.)

3. Carry cards or portable verse packs to review in spare time.

4. Get an accountability partner.

5. Stick with one translation.

6. Sing, pray, and do the verse.

6. REVIEW…review…review

Develop a plan. Any kind of plan, but have some plan of review.

1. e.g., new verses every day for 2 months, then 1X a week for 2 months, then once a month for a year or two.

2. You may review chronologically, topically, or randomly.

Cautions in Scripture Memory

1. There is a danger in losing your purpose/perspective. Memorizing Scripture is religious…not necessarily Christian.

John 5:39-40 – “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye may have eternal life.”

2. There is always a danger or spiritual pride. Proper meditation on you memorized verses can protect against this.

3. There is the danger of the ‘Peter Principal.” The more verses you know, the harder it gets in terms of review. (Set your review goals in terms of time . . . . not verses. Anything more than 15 minutes/day is too much in my book.)

2 Cor. 11:3 – And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4. There is a danger in starting too big.

5. The biggest danger is not starting at all!