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Two Time USA Memory Champion and memory training expert and memory keynote speaker Ron White shares his thoughts on memorizing Bible Scriptures.

How is it possible that some people are able to memorize scripture? Simply reading the Bible takes a lot of deep thought, and concentration. It is no easy task, no matter how smart the person is, nor how much education they have.

There are no easy memorizing tricks to learning and retaining Bible scriptures. There are tips, however, and I would be more than happy to share them with you.

1. Begin with an open heart

As with any other task, if you enjoy what you are doing it is not work. Don’t look at memorizing scripture as work, but an act of learning to be closer to the Lord.  When you begin with an open heart, you will retain what you are reading much easier.

2. Relax

Reading the Bible is not work. You are trying to learn the lessons the authors in the Bible are trying to convey, and it is not a chore that has to be done, but an act of love. Don’t attempt to read and memorize Bible passages as soon as you get home from work, or after a hard day when you are tired. Your brain will not be receptive to taking in any more information, and you will not accomplish what you are setting out to do.

Read slowly. Break down the paragraphs into small and manageable syllables. For example, take a look at this sentence.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Why don’t you read it this way?

“I – have – been – cru-si-fied – with – Christ – and – I – no – lon-ger – live, – but – Christ – lives – in – me.”

3. How does this relate you’re your life?

Learning how to memorize comes from the ability to relate what you are reading to yourself and your life. If you are not able to see any meaning in what you are trying to learn, memorizing scripture will be an insurmountable task. These two pointers will make a big difference in allowing your mind to absorb and retain what you are reading:

  • Take the time to understand what the passage is saying.
  • Meditate on the message.

4. Don’t attempt to memorize scripture when you are not inspired

If you are at a low point in your faith with God, trying to remember scripture will be impossible. It is through inspiration that you find your greatest strength, and you are emotionally and spiritually ready to take in, understand and retain each verse.

5. Retain what you read by making up silly acronyms

Much of retention comes from word association. Memory training experts have taught the use of acronyms to learn students in order for them to learn how to remember anything. Here are some popular, easy to remember acronyms:

  • FACE = acronym used for reading sheet music
  • My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas = The nine planets (Mars, Venus, Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto)
  • Roy G. Biv = The colors of the rainbow (Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet)
  • WWJD = What Would Jesus Do
  • FROG = Fully Rely On God

Bible scriptures are no exception. For example:

“And they sung a new song, saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; …” (Revelation 5:9). That is a mouthful, and the hardest part to remember is probably the last part. Scripture teacher, Kevin Jay North, used the acronym KTPN and pictured the words “Kate Pin” in his mind to the last part of the verse. “Upon recall, if I can think of “Kate Pin” and thence “KTPN”, it’s suddenly very easy to roll out “kindred, tongue, people, nation” because I’ve deliberately memorized the ordering.”

Consistency, Repetition and Patience are the key. If you are committed to memorizing scripture, then with practice and patience you will succeed.

 

Resources:

Articlesbase.com – Five Easy Tips On How to Memorize Bible Scriptures, by Paulo Anaro: http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/five-easy-tips-on-how-to-memorize-bible-scriptures-1279931.html

Paulo Anaro – http://www.supremememorybook.com

Revelife – http://www.revelife.com/663426547/christian-acronyms/

Kevin Jay North – http://www.thememorypage.net/bible2.htm