Memorizing Scripture

Okie dokie!  So.  Memorizing Scripture can sound SUPER boring.  It can often feel like studying for a test, but I would like to offer some suggestions in making it a little funner experience for you (the teacher inside of me).

10 Scripture Memory Tips

1- Make flash cards (I've made some and actally put them in a small treasure chest I got from Hobby Lobby for $3.99.  It always make me think of how God's Word is something I treasure (instead of earthly possessions)).  You can do all kinds of games and different learning stuff with flash cards.  You can even bring one with you and put it on your dashboard in your car to read while driving somewhere.

2- Sing it.  Make up a tune to the verse you're trying to memorize.  OR download some songs that are strictly verses of the Bible.  "Seeds Family Worship" is awesome at making up songs like this.  I have a few on my phone I listen to when heading to work.

3- Sign language/make up moves to it.  I do this ALL the time.  I used to do this with vocabulary quizes in high school, and it still helps me to use motions to help remember the next word or phrase I'm trying to memorize.

4- Draw/Paint it! (Bonus points if you give it to a friend!

5- Work on it with a friend!  Let you're friend know and keep you accountable of memorizing a certain verse by a certain time.  Let them have a reward set aside for you if/when you prove to them that you know it.  If your friend wants, make a friendly competition out of it!

6-  Pray it.  Praying verses to God (even if you have to look it up just to make sure you're getting the words right) is AWESOME and something I'm sure God loves to hear.

7- Find pretty images of a verse you're trying to learn, and save it as your lock screen on your phone, iPad, or laptop so that you're constantly looking at it and reminded of it.

8- Use the "Memorize" app on your iPhone.  This app records you saying a verse, then will repeat it over and over without you having to "rewind" it.  You get to hear yourself saying it with your own inflections.  It can be a little weird doing it at first, but it's super cool and really helpful.

9-  Teach it.  In my experience, teaching a verse (especially to younger kids) is beneficial for me because I have to learn it well enough to teach it.

10- MOST IMPORTANT - Read the whole passage around the verse you are trying to memorize so that you can understand context!  A verse by itself can be wrongly used if you don't understand why it was said in the first place.

*Use verses that mean something to you and that will come up in YOUR day to day life and when you need them.  If you struggle with anger, find verses about patience.  If you struggle or are often tempted of pride (like I am), learn verses on being humble.  Use verses you're more likely to actually use. 

Also, use YOUR learning style when memorizing Scripture.  I mentioned a few ways that different learning styles could use to memorize Scripture, but if you have a different way that you learn, USE THAT! People are different and that's okay (honestly, it's a good thing)!