Suggestions for Hiding Scripture in Your Heart - Handout
Suggestions for Memorizing Scripture in Your Heart
1 Make sure you know the context of the verse you are memorizing (the Luke 4:7 example)
2 Consider memorizing a passage, rather than just isolated verses (advantages?)
3 Set reasonable daily goals (5 minutes a day even to start)
4 Repetition and Review is key (you can write out or print out flash cards to keep where you can review)
5 Take heart and don’t be discouraged if your mind is not currently that efficient at remembering verses --Dear Timothy, p. 95-96; Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian life, p. 41
Resources:
The Bible on Audio CD (or the poor student version I used for awhile, recording my own voice reading on tape)
The MacArthur Scripture Memory System (NKJV – 1 year, 1 verse per week, with flash cards, screen savers,
audio CDs of verses and devotionals for each by John MacArthur).
Fighter Verses (ESV – 5 year program, 1 verse per week, from Bethlehem Baptist Church, learn more or order
at http://www.hopeingod.org/VerseOfTheWeek.aspx - links to additional helpful articles there)
Hide ‘em in Your Heart (Steve Green, CD verses set to music) – there are other resources like this
Click on Gold Country Baptist Church website version of these notes for link to AWANA verses set to music
Memorizing the Word is Possible – by Sally Michael (from HopeInGod.org site):
Basic Principles -Below are a few basic principles which will help make memorizing possible. Included with each principle are practical suggestions to start you dreaming and scheming about how you can effectively memorize the Word of God. You may want to try one or more of the suggestions. As you discover other methods that work, share your ideas with others.
1. Take Advantage of Already Established Routines.
The easiest way to find time to memorize is to incorporate memorizing into your
already established daily routine. For example:
� Use meal times as a time to memorize.
� Memorize while exercising--i.e. while riding a stationary bike, running, walking on a treadmill,
etc.
� While washing dishes, folding clothes, dusting, snow shoveling, mowing the lawn, or performing various other household chores, you can be memorizing.
� Memorize while walking the dog.
� How about memorizing while showering? Use the plastic pocket, or write the verses on a slip of
paper which can be thrown away when it gets soggy. Better yet, write the verses on a piece of
plastic (an old tablecloth, or clear plastic from the hardware store) using a permanent marker. If
people can sing in the shower, why not say verses aloud in the shower?
• Work memorizing into your profession. For example: -We know a person who puts up sheetrock for his profession. He tapes the verses on the wall and memorizes as he works. -A painter can put the verse card by his paint tray. Every time he puts paint on his roller, he can say the verse. -A mail carrier can carry the verses in a pocket or attach them to the mail bag and memorize
while walking. -_______________ (Fill in the blank. How will it work in your profession?)
� Memorize while driving--using the review tape / CD, etc.
� If you ride the bus to work, memorize on the bus.
� Memorize each morning while you shave or brush your teeth.
� Use your break times or lunch time to memorize at work.
� Memorize in your small group, class, etc. …
2. Keep the Verses Handy. If your verses "travel with you", you will discover all kinds of opportunities to memorize. One of the easiest ways to memorize is to say the verses repeatedly aloud. For example:
� Families can use time spent in the car to memorize. Keep a verse set in your car so it is always available.
� We all spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom --have a set of verses handy.
� Keep your verses with you (in your purse, briefcase, pocket, etc.) so that you can take advantage of unexpected moments such as: waiting for an appointment, sitting at a red light, waiting in a store checkout line, pumping gas, waiting for the bus, etc.
3. Post the Verses in a Prominent Location. Part of the battle in memorizing is remembering to memorize. If the verses are displayed where we will frequently see them, we will remember to memorize. It is easy to memorize by simply saying the verses ALOUD a few times during the day. For example:
� Put the verses on your bathroom mirror, on the phone, above the sink, on your computer screen saver, or any place you frequently look during the day. Every time you notice it, say the verses aloud a few times.
� If you are in a profession in which you use a tool box, tape it to the lid or inside the lid and repeat it a few times every time you reach for a tool.
4. Retaining Verses.
� You will increase your chances of remembering new verses the next day, if you review your
verses right before you go to bed at night.
� Playing the review tape and trying to say the verse along with the person on the tape is also a
helpful way to review memory verses.
� The key to retaining verses you have memorized is REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW
The same website summarizes another article by Andy Davis as follows:
What To Do Each Day
Sunday: Read this week's memory passage with surrounding verses so you can see it in context. Ask the Lord to help you commit this passage to memory, apply it to your life, and use it to bless others. Monday: Read this week's passage (with the reference) aloud ten times. Cover the passage and try to say it aloud (with its reference) ten more times, peeking if necessary. Say each memorized passages from previous weeks one time (aloud with references). Tuesday: Cover this week's passage and try to say the verse aloud (with its reference) ten more times, peeking if necessary. Say each memorized passage from previous weeks one time (aloud with references). Wednesday-Saturday: Say this week's passage and each memorized passage from previous weeks one time (aloud with references).
Other Suggestions:
Repeat memorized passages once daily for at least 50 days; after that once every week or two.
Pray daily asking the Lord to help his word remain in you, using it to feed your soul and minister to others.
Take advantage of passing "idle" moments during the day to call this week's passage to mind.
Don Whitney would also add the importance of a method of accountability (many memorize with friend or
family). He adds: ‘Have a Plan. There are several good prepackaged Scripture memory plans available in
Christian bookstores. But you might prefer selecting verses on a particular topic where the Lord is working in
your life right now … find verses that would help you … One man told Dawson Trotman that he was afraid that
following his example would make him prideful. Trotman’s reply: “Then make your first ten verses on
humility!” Another option is to memorize a section of Scripture, such as a psalm [or key chapter].’ – Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life, Bible Intake, Part 2 (highly recommended book to own)