Memorizing Scripture

Last week, I had the pleasure of working as an examiner for a national test of EMT candidates, where my duty was to provide a scenario, victim, and equipment and observe the candidate's skills.

In order to ensure that all candidates are treated equally and fairly, a scripted introduction to the skills station is read for each candidate, and a standardized checklist of procedures are used for each exam.

Reading the script, at first, was a bit daunting as I became more familiar with each sentence.  But after reading it over for the first three or four candidates enabled me to internalize the paragraph.  Shortly after, I was reading the script with little effort and even finding that I could make eye contact with the candidate as I recited my lines.  

After the exam, I realized that there were some helpful hints to use in my own quest for memorizing Scripture.

Let's use the example of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Tip #1:  Forget the excuses.

"I'm just not good at memorization" is a common excuse for not trying.  God made our brains, so we most certainly can memorize!

Tip #2:  Divide the verses into digestible parts

With a little thought, one can break an entire passage into smaller parts.  Try this with the example above:

All Scripture is breathed out by God

and profitable for teaching,

for reproof,

for correction,

and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

equipped for every good work.

Tip #3:  Read out loud

The more senses one uses when attempting to memorize any content, the faster and easier it is to remember it.  When we read aloud, we're seeing (reading text), hearing (hearing ourselves recite), and speaking (not really tasting, but using the mouth).  If we read silently, we're only using one of our senses.  *Bonus tip:  If you write the passage on a notebook several times, you also engage the sense of touch.

Tip #4:  Think about it

As you read, engage your mind, concentrating on what is being said as you read aloud.  Thinking about the text while engaging as many senses as possible helps develop pathways between neurons in the brain, as well as causing synapses (tiny electrical impulses) that, simply put, help make sense of connected bits of information.

Tip #5:  Repetition

One of the main factors for memorizing the script at the exam was the many times (19 in all) I read and re-read the content.  19 readings plus performing the exam took about 3.5 hours.  If we're serious about memorizing Scripture, start with reading and concentrating for 5 minutes a day for one week on a verse that means something to you.  The following week, increase your effort to 10 minutes and so on until the verse is memorized.