In our previous Habits of Grace blog, we discussed the benefits of Scripture memorization in the life of the Christian. Using an article written by John Piper, the blog walked through six reasons why Scripture memorization is an essential part of the Christian life. These six reasons were conformity to Christ, daily triumph over sin, daily triumph over Satan, comfort and counsel for people you love, communicating the gospel to unbelievers, and communion with God in the enjoyment of his person and ways. In many cases, it is easier to understand why we should do something but much harder to know how to do it. For Christians working in sports, the long hours make Scripture memorization a challenging spiritual discipline to practice. In this blog, we’ll discuss some practical ‘tricks of the trade’ regarding Scripture memorization.
Pray for God’s Help
In Colossians 3:16, Paul writes, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” It is God’s command to us that we would let His Word dwell in us; therefore, we must assume that He would be more than willing to help us as we study and memorize His Word. As you begin to practice Scripture memorization in your walk with Christ, ask God for His help in memorizing His Word. This is always the most important and practical place to start as you begin memorizing Scripture on a regular basis.
Flashcards Can Help
Flashcards can give us flashbacks to our days as students, but they are proven to be effective! As you begin to memorize certain passages of the Bible, it can be super helpful to use flashcards as a learning tool. Placing the flashcards in your bathroom mirror, in your kitchen, or by your bedside is another great way to remind yourself to check in on the verses you are memorizing consistently!
Try an Audio Bible
The busy schedule that comes with working in sports can make reading God’s Word daily a challenge! A great substitute on busy days is to listen to an audio Bible. This is a great way to hear Scripture consistently and even listen to the same passages on repeat to help you along in your Scripture memorization. In Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Listening to God’s Word is one way to keep our minds fixated on the Lord and the things above!
Study Scripture Thoroughly
It can be so easy to read through God’s Word quickly without taking time to meditate on it and study the context around it. One way to make Scripture memorization much easier is to meditate over that passage. Reading the same passage or verse over and over again can help you naturally memorize it and even better understand it. It’s true that slow and steady wins the race, especially when it comes to reading God’s Word.
Sing the Scriptures
Singing has been a memorization tool for ages! We learned our ABCs through song, and we know how easy it can be to get a commercial jingle stuck in your head. The same result can come from turning a verse or passage of Scripture into song. Whether you use a pre-existing song to help you memorize a particular passage or make up your own, this is a powerful memorization technique!
Write It Down
There’s a reason professors encourage you to take notes during class. Whether you look back on them or not, writing things down helps you remember the material better! When we are memorizing Scripture, it can be helpful to write down a verse or passage repeatedly.
Memorize with a Purpose
The hardest part of this spiritual discipline is knowing which verses to memorize. While there are no right or wrong Bible verses to memorize, it is important to have a purpose behind the Scripture you choose to memorize. Maybe it’s a verse that resonates with the season of life you are in or a promise from the Lord that you want to remember. If you are struggling with finding verses to memorize, Fighter Verses is a tremendous resource to use. The website is updated daily with a new verse to memorize, as well as providing beginners with tools on how to go about memorizing Scripture.
Conclusion
While it can seem challenging to memorize Scripture, it is not as difficult as it seems! The most important part of any spiritual discipline is the heart behind why you are doing it, and if that heart condition is in the right place, the challenges that come with practicing those disciplines will work themselves out. Scripture memorization is a powerful tool for connecting with the Lord, and we hope this blog will help you to grow closer to Jesus by letting His Word dwell richly in your heart and mind.
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