I'm so busy! How can I memorize scripture?
That's what I used to say. But this past summer God really started speaking to me in many different ways about the importance of memorizing scripture. This was culminated at She Speaks on Sunday morning when my dear friend Karen Ehman spoke. Her message about memorizing the book of James by this Christmas morning was the final boom.
Somehow, I had to stop offering up excuses and get intentional about committing verses to memory.
So I did what I've learned to do. I started where I was. I don't feel called yet to memorize an entire book, but I am sure that will come. For right now, I've just committed to memorize verses that speak to me about where I am. You know the ones... they leap off the page shimmering with meaning and speaking to your exact situation. They might be verses that come up in several different ways-- your pastor refers to them, your quiet time is on them, you read them on the blogs you frequent and then a friend refers to them.
Surely I am not the only person this happens to!
So now I've started keeping a package of index cards in my nightstand, right beside where I do my quiet time. When one of those verses jumps out at me, it goes on an index card. Now understand, I am not writing a verse a day-- not even a verse a week necessarily. But I am slowly adding to my repertoire. I keep all the verses on top of my Bible and, before I start my quiet time for the day, I practice saying them without looking, then go over them to make sure I said it correctly.
It's not rocket science, but it's working for me. If the thought of memorizing whole books or passages intimidates you, then just start with one verse. Memorize it. Then add another. But keep the other one in front of you daily. Over time, as I've found, you'll build and build. And before you know it, you'll know more scripture than you did six months ago.
Try it! It's not as hard as you think!
7 comments:
Hi Marybeth,
That is what I do.. the idea came to me (to get index cards), in one of your blogs several weeks ago about memorizing verses. I write the verse on one side and then I put the book/chapter & verse number on the back.. That way I can check to see if I got it right:) and I am steadily adding to it!!!
p.s. I bought the pastel color index cards:) just to give it some color, rainbow!! God's promise to never flood the earth again.. Oh.... and one more thing.. I made your chicken pie Monday night and it was delicious (even my picky 7 yr old ate it!!!!)
With Love,
Kim
Hi!
My pastor had us kids in his Catachism class memorize the Bible. Most didn't do it (even though they had to recite it anyway), but I loved it. (We also had to memorize Luther's Small Catachism and Explanation.) Not only does it help you with the Bible, but it also makes your memory sharper. My German teacher has us memorize Bible passages in German. That helps us know it better, since we have to understand what it means in English or it sounds completely like gibberish.
Kate
I do the 'index card' thing too. When a verse really speaks to me, I write in on the card. Then I prop it on the kitchen windowsill...where I see it...all. the. time! LOL
Great ideas! I use index cards to EVERYTHING, including my to-do lists.
I'm addicted.
That's a good idea. Yeah, memorizing is slightly intimidating. I can memorize the meaning of the scripture, but saying it word for word or what chapter is difficult.
I love this! I find that I remember the verse but don't remember the address. I say, "God's Word says it! ARG! But where is my concordance?" LOL!
I will totally use the index card with the tip from "annonymous" who writes the address on the back of the card.
I have been praying about this and depending on my concordance way too much. So, thanks for the challenge & the encouragement, sister. I'm pulling out my notecards as soon as I'm done posting this comment!
BTW, I love your voice!
Thank you for this nudge! I know scripture memorization is important and I desire for it to be a habit for my children as well, but I can't say they have seen me put it into practice on a regular basis. I agree, my excuses need to be laid aside and I need to just get busy doing it! His Word is powerful and how much more so when it is in my heart and mind and not sitting on a page waiting to be absorbed. I will dig out my index cards today!
I am reading through the Bible this year, my first time after being a Christain for many years...I am enjoying writing verses that speak to me as I go on index cards. What a blessing this has been!!
Last year I started to memorize chapters of scripture and what a difference it has made in my life. THE LORD IS GOOD!
Keep encouraging others to memorize scripture. Life changing!!
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