Bible Memorization

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Thoughts on Memorizing Scripture

Memorizing passages of the Bible is work: mental work that requires mental energy and concentration. Therefore, discipline is the main ingredient for Scripture memorization. A few are naturally endowed with sharp memories, but generally, the degree to which we realize our intentions to memorize Scripture is directly proportional to the degree of discipline developed in our lives.

In light of the fact that memorizing the Bible is hard work, why set out on doing it in the first place? Well, . . . reading good books and listening to good sermons, and sitting in on discussions about the Christian life are all good. In fact, you are not reading the Bible right now, and yet I encourage you to read on. Books, sermons, meditations and fellowship are all tools in the hands of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. But, . . . all of these things in my life do not compare to the use the Holy Spirit gets out of the raw Scripture I am exposed to and even more so from the passages I have personally memorized. "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee!"

Some argue that Scripture memorization is vain and unnecessary; that just knowing the principles is enough. Well, . . . what principles? and where do we get them? The answer for me is that whatever principles we live by must ultimately derive from and agree 100% with Scripture. It is really good to know the Source. That is why God gave His Written Word to us. Surely, we do not have a personal relationship with a book BUT, we are led to our Redeemer in His Holy Word, and we get to know our Master better and better as we absorb the record of the way He thinks in Scripture, listening to His explanations through His revelations in our hearts. We honor our King when we heed His Word!

We are servants to Jesus Christ. We could spend our time and our resources doing an infinite number of "good" things. The question we must ask is whether memorizing His Written Word is something our Lord wants us to do. If we determine in prayer this is something that our Master would be leading us into at this time, we will be blessed if we are obedient.

We should note that God is not a slave driver. Our eyes must be fixed on Him as our loving, heavenly Father, our attitude molded by His Grace working in our lives. May we put His Word to memory as a love letter He wrote to us. This is not a legalistic, harsh rigor in memorizing Bible passages. We need to be careful not to be hardened with ungodly arrogance in our success or driven into guilt through failure. Rather, may this be a process of growth and maturity as we patiently, faithfully exercise ourselves in this wholesome pursuit. It is not good to try to memorize too much at one time. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

There are many strategies for memorizing the Bible. We will make one suggestion: in our normal meditations and study of the Bible*, when the Lord "quickens" a verse to us, then write it on a note card or small slip of paper and begin reading and quoting it throughout the day (waiting at stoplights, while using the restroom, riding the elevator, walking into a business or going from our car to the mall, etc.). Again, the key here is the process of developing the discipline to do it!

We can illustrate discipline as an empty glass into which the Lord pours skills, gifts, intelligence, worthy traits (like empathy, compassion, generosity, common sense, discernment, wisdom, understanding), material blessings, finances, training of all sorts, education, Biblical knowledge (including memorization), parental guidance, wise counsel . . . and on and on. The discipline (the glass) is what holds all these for proper application and usefulness. If we have no discipline, they all fall thru our life, wasted, like water would thru a sieve. Another good illustration of discipline is that of a muscle . . . if we do not use them we will surely loose them!

From wherever we start on our journey to put Scripture to memory, we should always ask God to help us. The bigger picture here is submitting to life in the Spirit. One of the fruits of abiding in the Spirit is "self-control" and another is "patience" (perseverance) and another is "long-suffering." Each of these contribute directly or indirectly to the development of discipline in one's life. We are frail, fallen souls who have been given the priceless gift of faith to believe we are redeemed from eternal damnation by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Based on this fact, there is a very good question we need to ask ourselves: Does discipline have anything to do with the passage in James: "Faith without works is dead"?

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us toward good works in the light of His Word for His honor and glory!

Love in Christ,

Jerry Johnson

* I am assuming here that you do meditate on and study the Bible regularly. Certainly, if you have developed the discipline to do so, you will more readily see the obvious benefit to taking that study one step further to memorize those scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to life for you personally. Click here to return to text.

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