18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture
Can’t remember where you put your keys? Blanked on your child’s name and the church you go to?
This isn’t a sign that you’re getting old.
Zaldy S. Tan, MD, director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, says it’s a sign of how busy we are.
“When we’re not paying good attention, the memories we form aren’t very robust, and we have a problem retrieving the information later.”
If you struggle with the simple things of life, then memorizing John 3:16 probably seems intimidating. And putting away Romans 8 sounds down right impossible.
In truth, it’s not as hard as you think. Yes, it takes effort and time. But there are some simple strategies to help you.
Why Even Memorize Scripture?
Lately I’ve seen a lot of interest in memorizing Scripture. Tim Challies hosts his own Bible memory series. And Ryan Ferguson awes audiences with his dramatic recitation of Scripture.
But one of the most compelling reasons for memorizing Scripture I found in John Piper’s sermon If My Words Abide in You: memorizing Scripture shapes the way I view the world by conforming to God’s viewpoint.
So, whether you want to memorize one verse or an entire book, try these strategies to help you remember more.
1. Read it repeatedly. Did you know you can memorize Scripture during your morning devotion? Instead of zipping through your reading for the day, pause and camp on one verse for a long time. You won’t regret it.
2. Pay attention. Sounds obvious, but often ignored. Simply forcing yourself to be aware of what you are reading can help you internalize the words. Repetition will make the mind wander. What you have to do is bring it back.
3. Visualize what you are reading. Take Psalm 1:1 for example. “Blessed is the man who does not walk with the wicked nor stand in the way of the sinner nor sit in the seat of the mocker.” Your first tasks is to see the three actions here: walking, standing and sitting. If you can see the three main actions, then you can start to memorize the surrounding words.
4. Create anchor words. In the above example, your anchor words are “walking,” “standing” and “seating.” In Colossians 1:15, my anchor words are image, invisible and firstborn. Whenever I get lost while reciting a passage I look for my anchor words to orient myself.
5. Recognize patterns. In Psalm 1:1, after the first line, the next three sentences follow this pattern: a verb, a noun and a modifier. Think of each of these as a bucket you drop the appropriate word into.
6. Start with the easy. Now, some passages are easier to remember than others. Psalm 1, easy. A page from Romans, hard. On your first effort at memorizing large chunks of Scriptures, don’t tackle Romans. Build some confidence first by memorizing Psalm 1 or the Sermon on the Mount.
7. Stagger. Sorry, not like you were drunk. What I mean is memorize an easy passage then a hard passage then an easy. Give your brain a break. This way you’ll avoid burnout.
8. Build memorable associations. If you want to remember difficult section of scripture like Romans 1:18-20, it helps to imagine God hovering like a brooding mountain over the world to represent all three verses. This is a robust picture hard to forget.
9. Anchor memorable associations in chapters. These rich word pictures can also help you when you’re trying to memorize entire chapters of the Bible. They orient you on a larger scale.
10. Cheat a little. Once you’ve absorbed a hunk of Scripture, don’t be afraid to keep a sheet of paper nearby with keywords or section headings to help you out when you need a reminder.
11. Narrate. Sometimes it helps to describe in your own words what you are trying to memorize. This will also help you build memorable associations, spot keywords and develop anchor words.
12. Stick to a ritual. I find it easier to memorize Scripture in my car–I have a long commute–and before I sleep. Especially early on in the process of memorizing, I can’t remember my passage as easily anywhere else except these places. So, until I gain more confidence, I stick to this ritual.
13. Sing it. Try opera. Or a musical. The point is to be dramatic. As if you were in a play. [This is my favorite trick, by the way.]
14. Try mnemonic devices. Many of us learned ROY G BIV to remember the colors of the rainbow. Make up your own device to memorize anchor words or more. In Psalm 1:1, your device would be WSS, or walk, stand and sit.
15. Enlist your body. If mnemonic devices aren’t your cup of tea, use body parts. Classic example of this is Ephesians 6:10-18, the armor of God. Waist, chest, feet, forearm and head complete the armor and can help you navigate through this lengthy passage.
16. Repeat the alphabet. Say you just can’t remember that big word in 1 John 2:2. Run through your ABCs. When you get to P, it should trigger the word escaping you: propitiation.
17. Type it. One way to memorize something like John 1:1-3 is to type it into your computer. Not once. Not twice. But ten times. Maybe more. Your call.
18. Hear it. After you’ve typed it, next, read it aloud and record it. Then listen to the recording several times.
Don’t forget: As you work on memorizing, turn off the TV, unplug your iPod and shut down your computer. You’ll retain more.
Your Turn
So, how do you memorize large chunks of information…whether it’s a chapter from the Bible, a poem or a speech? Got any tricks that I didn’t mention? Wanna share them? I look forward to hearing from you.
Related posts:
75 Comments to 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture
I appreciate this list! #13 is close to my heart as my husband helps record and produce the fighter verse songs that our church does to help facilitate memorizing Scripture.
An add-on to #2 is that if you allow the text to convict you or apply to a particular area of your life, (or your apt word “internalize”) it will be much easier to memorize.
If you’re interested I posted a week or so ago on some good and not-so-good reasons to memorize Scripture.
March 20, 2009
Thanks for the kind words, Abigail. I’d love to see your post. I’ll go check it out.
Very helpful post!
I’ve always had trouble doing this. You know what I mean, Ralph, er, Pete, um, no, Demian!
March 20, 2009
ABC – Accurate Building Concepts have devised a system of mnemonics and have a wide variety of mnemonics of over 100 to assist with a doctrine of a certain subject.
We have found that if you memorise the mnemonic then you can teach the subject without notes even if it is impromptu.
Marlon: Thanks for the tip on ABC! I’ll have to look into it.
March 20, 2009
OK Let me re-phrase that you will not find it online. ABC perhaps but it is not in that curricular; the mnemonics are still in project phase.
Example:We are created in God’s likeness and IMAGE
I – Inteligent likeness – I have the mind of Christ
M – Moral likeness – I have all his moral character traits; righteouseness; etc.
A – Authoratative likeness – I can cast out demons and heal sick; etc.
G – Glorious likeness – Christ in me the hope of glory
E – Ethereal (Spiritual) likeness – I am a spiritual being like Christ; sested in heavenly places and now I need to know how to bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
How to bring sight to those who are blinded to truth and revelation:
BLEPO greek for Blind
B – Breaking of bread – minister the word Acts 2:42
L – Leave inaccurate location – Blind man in John 9 who had to leave his town and not go back there again if not he would go blind again; blind leading the blind syndrome.
E – Expel your garment – like Bartimaeus who got rid of his cloak that indicated he was blind.
We need to shed our thinking patterns.
P – Pool of Siloam John Man had to wash at the pool of SILOAM means sent or sent one – apostolic dimension of apostolos
O – Revelation 3 talks of the eye salve OINTMENT for your eyes
Hope the above makes sense it is just a outline that we use to minister or teach others.
March 22, 2009
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture | Fallen and Flawed. [...]
I just did a post on this on my blog (www.paintingtheword.com) and shared a great scripture memory method that has worked GREAT for me – and I have the worst memory ever!
March 22, 2009
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture [...]
Thanks for this helpful post! One thing that has helped me with both the mechanics of memorization and the comprehension of meditation is to read/quote the verse, emphasizing a different word each time. I usually start with the first word and work my way through each word to the end. After each run-through, I think about the implications of the verse in light of the emphasized word.
Another tip someone shared with me once for fast memorization is to write down the first letter of each word in the verse. Try to “read” the verse, using only those first letters to trigger the memory of each word. After several times through, you can usually do it without even using the first letters.
March 22, 2009
Related to #12: Both Scripture memory and exercise became more consistent when I began combining them, i.e. while walking or stepping. On days when my workouts aren’t amenable to memory work, I don’t look at the computer until I’ve reviewed my current passages or topics. Since review seems more challenging than initial memorization to me, I have three sets going at a time: the newest, the most recently learned, and a third that cycles through my whole inventory, changing each week.
March 22, 2009
I enjoyed your list of 18 tips but was surprised to see that the single most important tip that helps me didn’t make it. Whether attempting to memorize a single verse or a lengthy passage such as Ps. 119, I always begin by writing the entire passage out on note cards. I think there is something inherently beneficial to memorization when you write it in your own handwriting and not just type it. I know they didn’t have typewriters back then, but the kings in the OT were instructed to write out their own copy of the law. A king was certainly wealthy enough to pay a scribe for a copy of the law, but again, he was specifically instructed to write it out for himself –
Deut. 17:18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law…”
I then do the majority of my memorization work from these note cards. These are especially convenient because I can put them in my pocket or book bag and always have them with me. Then, if I find a few extra minutes at the doctor’s office or wherever, I can pull them out and work on my verses. For me, repetition is key. I also find it helpful to not only recite the verses in my mind but to do so audibly as well. This involves my sense of sound too, which aids in memorization. Thanks again for the list!
That is very helpful, I will be sharing it with others!
Thank you for sharing on memorization! For myself, the first thing I have done is pray and ask the Lord for the grace to memorize. He is faithful to enable me to do much more than I thought I could.
After memorizing scripture, I have found reciting and meditating on what I’m reciting, leads me into praying the scriptures. What a rich time in prayer I have had!
Pastor / Song writer Mark Altrogge has put together a series of CD’s that are nothing but scripture put to music…most of it is very good and catchy. This can be a great help for your commute, work out, falling asleep, etc…
The first couple CD’s were NIV, but once hte ESV came out they switched and have never gone back (of course).
The site is: http://www.forevergratefulmusic.com/
There’s an awesome technique I discovered somewhere online that’s been enormously helpful in memorizing any block of text verbatim. It makes memorizing whole chapters quite possible.
You write or type out the passage. Read it a couple of times, then on a separate window/sheet write it out again, but only the first letter of each word. Then try to read off the initials. If you stumble, go back to the original and check, and then try again. Keep going until you can flawlessly read off the initials of the words. And then start trying to do it without any prompt at all. If you stumble, check the initials.
http://www.downes.ca/memorization.htm is a tool to help with this. Paste the text to memorize in the top box, and the initials appear in the bottom.
March 22, 2009
I also memorize best while driving on long commutes. I never listen to the radio or anything else. In the last 4 months or so I have memorized 2 Timothy, half of 1 Timothy and Isaiah 53. I do use some of what you have listed but following is something possibly unique. I have my Ipod open to the chapter I want to memorize and work on the portions I can. Once I have a chapter down then I will time myself saying it outloud (with the stopwatch on my ipod). Then I try to beat that time. This gives me a goal plus burns it into my mind. I will do this with the whole book trying to beat my best record (don’t worry I also meditate on the scripture slowly once it’s burned in there). I am just thrilled my Lord has given me the energy to memorize his word!
March 22, 2009
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture [...]
March 23, 2009
[...] March 23, 2009 by strengthenedbygrace 18 tips to help you memorize more Bible. [...]
March 23, 2009
I have to say I have really never used any tricks to memorize the scriptures until recently where I read a passage for 10 times and recite it for 10 times without looking. By the grace of GOD, I don’t really find it very hard to memorize partly because I am coming from a country where our way of studying (regular school) was mostly memorization of answers. I have memorized books (not the Bible) by chapters for school work. Needless to say, my mind had developed a hatred to memorization, but is being renewed for a fresh appreciation lately. Currently I am following Dr. John MacArthur’s suggested Bible Reading Plan, where I read 5-6 chapters repeatedly for 30 days. I have been reading Romans 1-6 for 15 days now, but probably read it about 20-25 times and I was surprised that parts of it has become part of my memory. I have to admit, what I really struggle is with meditation because I suffer so much from wandering of my mind. I am praying to the LORD for HIS huge blessing in this area as I know meditation is the key to life and without it memorization amounts really to nothing.
March 23, 2009
[...] Posted by radicallybiblical under General, Life and Living Here’s a link to a good post for help in memorizing Scripture. [...]
March 23, 2009
Marlon, Sandy, Natalie, Nancy, Greg, Karen, Nathan, Paul and Henry: Thank you for the comments! And the additional tips. I’m very grateful to you for taking the time to reply and help me build a stronger list. I love reading about the unique and personal ways that people use to memorize scripture. It’s so interesting. And encouraging. I’m walking away with a tip or two, for sure! And Mr. Greg Dull, you are right…why did I forget handwriting? So used to the keyboard. Thank you again!
March 23, 2009
[...] Gospel Lens To run everything through the lens of the gospel, given through the Bible alone, so that we may be accurate in handling the word of truth and Biblical in how we live our lives. « A lesson from a sinking disciple Scripture Memorization Tricks March 23, 2009 I am lousy at memorization and as a result I far too little of God’s word memorized. I found this article by Demian Farnworth helpful. http://www.fallenandflawed.com/tricks-memorize-scripture/ [...]
In Ecclesiastes it states: Cast your bread upon the waters…
Subsequent scriptures state sow to 7 or 8 places; for we will not know which one will propser:
SEEDLING
Sow to STRANGERS
Sow to the EKKLESIA (CHURCH)
A bit more difficult for most people to do but I have done this before:
Sow to your ENEMIES
Sow to your DESCENDANTS and Ascendants (to your parents – not much of a western culture practise and to your children – a wise man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.)
Sow to the LOST; widows; orphans; etc.
Sow to an INDIVIDUAL
Sow to a NATION
Sow to a GRACE CARRIER – a leader or pastor.
Thanks for this list Demian. So very helpful! I’ve linked to it on my blog (http://pilgriminconflict.blogspot.com/2009/03/memorize-more-bible.html) and shared a tip that helps me memorize… or maybe it just helps me meditate on what I’m memorizing, which makes it easier in the long run for me to remember verses and makes the memorization very fruitful!
March 23, 2009
[...] Tricks to Memorize More Scripture’ March 23, 2009 Demian Farnworth (HT: Abraham Piper, [...]
March 23, 2009
[...] - 18 tricks to memorize Scripture [...]
March 23, 2009
[...] A very practical note on memorising scripture by Demian Farnworth. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – Pslam [...]
March 23, 2009
I have always done the following:
1. Underline the verse in my bible
2. write the verse on a small flash card
3. list the reference at the beginning and end
4. Say the reference before & after so my memory recall notes where it is in the bible.
5. Review it daily for 8 weeks
6. after 8 weeks review it weekly for 4 weeks.
7. Then review it monthly
8. Write the date I begin on the reverse of the card so I know when the 8 weeks are up (for long term memory recall)
9. Write all of the verse references in a notebook in case I lose my cards (again) I have a record of which verses to review.
10. Say the verse out loud when possible to help my memory
11. Pray over the verse & meditate on the verse
12. Remind myself some of the purposes – Psalm 119:10-11, Luke 4, Ephesians 6:17
13. Meet with an accountability partner to help me practice my recall saying the verse.
14. My goal is that God may shape my heart, not to impress or puff up.
based upon the Navigators Topical memory system & Max Barnett director emeritus Baptist Student Union – Oklahoma University
March 23, 2009
Jim: I really like your list. I think one of the things you emphasize which I didn’t was the repetition of the repetition. Going back and reviewing it keeps the scriptures alive…cause I know in my own experience, after a month learning a chapter, I can hardly remember it a month later unless I review it. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Here is a method I learned recently and have used it to memorize Romans 8. I’m on v. 23. It doesn’t make sense how it works but it does. You get a green ink pen, blue ink pen, and a red ink pen. Then you write out the verse you want to memorize in each color 5 times. It is weird, but I can remember the reference and even get the punctuation ingrained in my brain.
March 23, 2009
[...] Tricks to Memorize More Scripture Demian Farnworth offers 18 tips to help you memorize more Bible. This is something I need to do more [...]
[...] Here’s one of the “tricks:” 2. Pay attention. Sounds obvious, but often ignored. Simply forcing yourself to be aware of what you… [...]
March 24, 2009
[...] great day with a little reflection. The following is an excerpt from Paul Beasley-Murray’s The Message of the Resurrection from the Bible Speaks Today Commentary Series (as a side note, if lay people are looking into [...]
March 24, 2009
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture | Fallen and Flawed [...]
March 24, 2009
March 24, 2009
[...] Tips to Memorize More Scripture Check out Demian Farnworth’s blog. He recently posted 18 tips to memorize God’s [...]
I love putting verses to music, especially in psalms where there is repeating meter. I also try to find tips like alpha order of exhortations: ADMONISH the unruly, ENCOURAGE the fainthearted, HELP the weak, be PATIENT with everyone. (I Thess 5:14) I write my verses of the week on an index card and review them during my morning quiet time. The part that is difficult to me is remembering some of the “middle” verses of the year – the first ones I’ve got and the recent ones I remember, but those in the middle get lost sometimes!
There’s a slick new site (http://www.memverse.com) that helps you memorize bible verses. It’s all online and allows you to stagger the revisions so that you can memorize more verses at a time. It’s free too which is always good
March 24, 2009
Kyrriana, thanks for the tip!
great suggestions
but I don’t I will try signing it
lol
Phill
[twitter: http://twitter.com/phillipgibb ]
[blog: http://synapticlight.com/ ]
March 25, 2009
[...] Bible Memory. Demian Farnworth offers 18 practical tips to help you memorize more Scripture. [...]
I took a memory course years ago and they stressed the visual aspect of memory and the “glue” effect of linking the visual with action. For example 1 cor 2:14-But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
My picture for 1 cor is always the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard; it has a 01 on the side. In my mind it pulls up to an abrupt stop and a hippie (a natural man) jumps out flashing the “peace sign” (2 of 2:14). In his arms is a huge candy box shaped like a heart. Why? My picture for the #14 is always a heart because Feb 14th is ……yep, valentine’s. Someone comes up and hits him (more “glue” like action) with the bible. He still clutches his heart; he can’t “accept” the things of God.
In fact he laughs and points and then his head falls off (crazy action works best). His hands clutch and grab at the bible but he can’t see it, so his struggle is useless. See, the course advised we put word pictures togather using action. Another useful tool they taught was to come up with pictures for numbers and consistanly use them. You’ve seen some of that above. I do the same with books of the bible. Proverbs is a big round block of Provalone cheese. Psalms in a cartoon like man dancing and singing with a harp. Romans is a Roman guard swinging a sword. Matthew is a door mat. On and on. You get the point. Hey, thanks for this list. I’m going to post about it on my blog.
March 27, 2009
Eric, thanks for the helpful–and very entertaining!–word pictures. Helpful stuff. I’m glad you liked the post.
Great ideas! Here are a few more:
March 30, 2009
[...] Eighteen Bible Memorization Tips (HT: May He [...]
March 30, 2009
April 1, 2009
[...] saw another blog post this morning that offered “18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture“. Whether you call them “tricks”, “hints”, “helps”, or [...]
April 1, 2009
[...] Read entire list here [...]
[...] http://www.fallenandflawed.com/tricks-memorize-scripture/ [...]
April 4, 2009
[...] talked briefly of Scripture memory recently. This blog post from Fallen and Flawed has been particularly helpful to me this week. Bottom line: do what [...]
April 21, 2009
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize Scripture [...]
April 24, 2009
[...] Tricks/Tips for Memorizing [...]
Don’t forget to wear scriptures! I carried a copy in my handbag, had a copy of the verse on the mirror, framed it…and was so busy taking care of my autism child, I STILL couldn’t remember the sciptures. Finally, I designed a bracelet with the words on it, and now I remember Deuteronomy 6:5.
After doing this, I read futher into the scriptures and saw Deuteronomy 11:18, so I created my business based upon this verse.
April 24, 2009
Way to go Christine! I love it.
May 10, 2009
[...] I found this blog on 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture at FallenandFlawed.com which offers reasons why I can’t memorize (i.e. I’m too busy) [...]
May 11, 2009
My husband uses trick #16 to remember people’s names. He thinks of their face, then imagines the letters over their head. A letter will stick and so he’ll run through names until he gets it! It really works! Thanks for this!
May 11, 2009
You’re welcome Jessica!
[...] From Demian Farnworth via Abraham Piper at Desiring God Blog [...]
[...] 22, 2009 by dwphoto20d Resource: 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture, by Demian Farnworth. Farnworth gives not only the reasoning behind the importance of Bible memory, [...]
Here’s a web page with a free software program that will help you memorize scripture more effectively:
http://www.biblemelody.com has a growing list of scriptures put to music. If you listen to one over & over for about twenty minutes every day for a week, & try to sing along with it as best you can, you’ll have it memorized very well in a week. Give it two weeks and you’ll remember it for the rest of your life. Blessings!
September 12, 2009
we can remember any thing from past to present by using our visualization and imagination.we can predict future also by using them.etc .read a page from any book .take a deep look at the page and try to make a image of it in your mind.then close the book and use you imagination and take a image of that page with your minds eye .i 100% guarantee that you will have at least 80% of that material in your mind.you can also remember texts by creating texts as a story like images in your mind.for example you have to memorize a history of any thing.just read the passage and try to make a story with images in your mind.then close the book and try to remember or write it on a page.you will not forget any thing.you can apply these techniques on subjects like mathematics also.i hope it helps.
September 30, 2009
The idea of using body parts for remembering is interesting. Akin to tieing a knot in your finger for something but you need to remember to look at your finger and still be able to associate/recall what it stands for and how it came there in the first place.
BibleGizmoLite: an Iphone App that help people to memorize scripture. It has an intelligent testing system where it ask you more often if you don’t remember the verse and less often if you already remember the verse. See http://www.algizmo.com or App store for detail
November 10, 2009
I’m trying to memorize Scripture in another language, and these tips are useful, with enough variety to help us all. The website to cut and paste the passage and then it prints out the first letter of each word is incredibly helpful. Probably the reason typing or handwritten copies of the passage are helpful is because it uses kinetic learning.
[...] 18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture, by Demian Farnworth. Farnworth gives not only the reasoning behind the importance of Bible memory, [...]
January 5, 2010
[...] on the net-18 Tricks to Memorize More Scripture – A helpful blog post that provides some good tips on getting [...]
Interesting. I found this linked at desiringgod.org. Ha!
January 27, 2010
Yeah, way cool, right! I’ve got A. Piper to thank for that.
[...] Finally, I come to the end of this long, long post. I am working diligently on this Sermon on the Mount: Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will inherit the kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Again, the bold indicates the parts I couldn’t remember. Maybe I should employ these suggestions. [...]
March 18, 2010
[...] love pictures! I believe we all do! Pictures are everywhere, all the time! Champions and masters in memorizing recommend us to visualize in pictures to be able to memorize strange combinations of numbers and [...]
April 2, 2010
A convenient way of memorizing Scripture is the app ‘Remember Me’ for Android smartphones. It is available on the Android Market for free.
An Android app for memorizing Scripture? Could life get any better?
Thank you Peter!
May 4, 2010
Here’s a new audio product that has all of the words of Christ from the Book of Matthew set to rock music–great for memorizing the sermon on the mount: http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/details.php?isbn=978-1-4143-1729-8


March 20, 2009