This post is a follow up to one we did called 10 Reasons to Memorize Scripture and features ideas, practical tips and  suggestions and to get the Word of God in both your head and heart.

Remember, information is not transformation.  Our attitude in memorization should be prayerful and humble, seeking to examine our lives and gaze deeply into the character of God.  If our thoughts, actions, and lives do not change after memorizing Scripture, we have done something wrong!

Here are 10 Suggestions and Tricks on how to Memorize Scripture:

1.  Memorize the Word of God in community.

With a small group or with the larger congregation, memorizing scripture as a community is a powerful way to learn the Bible together through purusing mutual goals with accountability.  Push each other to memorize and treasure the Word of God more.  This is one way to live out Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

2.  Memorize along with your family.

Memory verses are not just for kids!  If your children participate in programs like Awana that memorize Bible verses, inviting the whole family to memorize together is a great way to teach the whole family the truth of the Bible.

3.  Note Cards.

When you encounter a Bible verse you want to put to memory, make verse cards and place them in areas of your house or workplace that you will notice: on the bathroom mirror, in your living room, on your refrigerator, etc.  Some people even memorize Scripture in the shower!

Making the desktop background of your computer something with scripture on it is another powerful way to always keep God’s Word on your mind.  Unlocking the Bible offers many Christian Wallpaper & Desktop Backgrounds free for download!

Deuteronomy 6:8-9 says we are to bind God’s commands on our hands, on the doorposts of our houses and on our gates so that they be constantly reminding us of God and His commands.  When we post verses all around our house we are able to more frequently mediate on God’s word, which helps us renew our minds.

Blog: Just How Important is Renewing Your Mind? Research Study Results

4.  Listen to an audio Bible.

A good way to redeem the time is to listen to Scripture while in the car, at the gym, or cooking.  This is ideal for memorizing longer passages of Scripture.  This is a good way to delight yourself in the law of the Lord as Psalm 1 teaches.

A good sermon can ingrain the truth of the Scriptures in your head as well.  By downloading the Unlocking the Bible Podcast or listening to the Unlocking the Bible Radio Program, you are taught God’s Word in an encouraging and refreshing way.  Another way to digest the Word of God audibly is through Spoken Word Scripture Reading by Colin and Karen Smith.

Faith does come by hearing, right?

5.  Pray.

God is the one who commands that we know Scripture and let it dwell in us, would he not answer a prayer to see his will done?  Pray to God for help, pray to God for guidance, pray to God for understanding, pray to God for a deeper love for His Word.

Psalm 119:33, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.”

Psalm 119:35, “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.”

John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

Pray for illumination, God will answer!

6.  Have a plan with goals.

Good intentions without a proper plan is often a recipe for failure.  To know the Bible better through scripture memorization, it is good to have a defined plan and goals.  Make a list for yourself of verses or themes you want to memorize and then set a date you would like them memorized by.  Somethings never get done unless you plan out each step!

Free Resource: Printable Bible Reading Guide

7.  Find Software to help.

Scripture Memory?  There’s an App for that!  There are many websites and programs that can help you memorize Scriptures by providing plans and tools for your aid.  Popular ones include MemVerse, RememberMe, and MobilizeFaith.

8.  Put it to song.

Chances are you know your ABC’s because of the Alphabet song, or you know the major music scale (Do-Re-Mi…) because of The Sound of Music.   Getting a song stuck in your head is another proof that music is a powerful tool to help memorization.   That is why putting the Bible to song or listening to music filled with Biblical lyrics is a useful way to internalize the Word of God.

9.  Always be on the lookout.

During your normal study of Scripture or while you are listening to a sermon, be on the lookout for good verses and passages to memorize, and write them down!

10.  Read out loud/Write it Out.

Reading out loud is a common tip on how to best memorize.  It is one of the methods for memorization that works the best because it combines two learning styles (visual and auditory).  Writing out the Scriptures is another great way to memorize verses because it targets to learning styles as well (visual and tactile).

Other Tips:

• Before you set to memorize a verse, go to the verse in context to make sure you know what it is actually saying.
• Don’t forget to memorize the reference!  This helps in your own personal study and while sharing with others.
• Think about how you can apply the verse to your life and then pray for God’s help in applying it.
• Use it or lose it!  If you don’t keep Scripture fresh in your mind, it may be easy to lose!  Plan to review what you memorize from time to time to keep God’s Word fresh in your life.

Author: Kevin Halloran – Kevin blogs for Unlocking the Bible, loves reading, baseball, and coffee, and can be found on Twitter @Kp_Halloran or at KevinHalloran.net.

What helps you with verse memorization?  What are the ways of memorizing that help you the most?

Photo Credits: joybot, tedsblog, Connor Tarter, the US Army, Big C harvey