7 Surefire Tips for Memorizing Scripture

By Curtis Rittenour | Posted July 02, 2013

We’ve talked about why you need to memorize Scripture—but what about the methods you can use to actually store God’s Word in your heart and mind? We offer these seven surefire tips to get you started!

1. Write it down …
Keep a journal! As you copy each passage into a journal or notebook, consider each word carefully and prayerfully. Focus as much as you can on writing and leave every potential distraction behind—cell phones, computers, whatever. Time is going to go by fast!

2. Say it out loud …
Say the passage aloud as you read it. Do this at least 10 times—and also as you write it in your journal or notebook. When you try to repeat the Scripture without the aid of your Bible, avoid peeking; give it your best effort before taking another look. Exercise your brain by making it work!

3. Don’t do it all at once …
It’s best to memorize well a few verses at a time rather than memorize poorly dozens of verses at once. We suggest tackling up to three or four Bible verses each week. Doing more than that might make remembering hard and you could get discouraged. This is about your relationship with God—not a contest of memory with others.

4. Make it personal …
At first, choose passages that speak to your life and needs. Have a sin you can’t seem to overcome? Find a passage that speaks to that kind of sin or a passage about how God can help you overcome. Worried about your salvation? Find passages that affirm the gospel. The more personal it is in your life, the stronger your memory of it will be.

5. Stick to a schedule …
It’s important to adopt a routine at a certain time each day. Wake up your brain with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. When you feel lazy or tired or discouraged, remind yourself of the reasons to memorize Scripture.

6. Share It ...
As much as you can, share the passage with others—but also with yourself as you go about your day. Make it a practical part of your life and practice living the message as much as you are able.

7. Review, Review, Review ...
Repetition is key! When you’re in a waiting room, driving around town, or doing mundane chores—use whatever time you have to memorize Scripture. And while you might have successfully memorized a Scripture for the time being, you have to keep going back and reviewing. Some experts suggest you keep reviewing new verses each day for seven weeks—and then once a month for seven months after that.

What about you? Do you have effective methods you use to memorize Scripture that we haven’t listed? Don’t keep them to yourself—we’d love for you to share them in the comments below!

Did you know? Amazing Facts has a Bible memorization tool at www.BibleUniverse.com. Check it out today and get on the road to storing God’s Word in your heart!

Curtis Rittenour
Curtis J. Rittenour is the senior writer at Amazing Facts International. He pastored for 25 years and has authored books, magazine articles, blogs, and seminars.
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20 Comments
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Enderson Renck
I want to memorize Bible verses. It's 2023 and I write from Brazil.
God brought me back from sin and addiction to His marvelous light and I want to grow closer to Him.
God bless you!
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gatehrdy
study
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Anonymous
I am 70 next year and remembering Scripture passages does not come easy. Writing them does help. Flash cards are a great idea. If I want to remember what sentence or verse comes next, I find that writing down on a separate piece of paper a list of the first words of the sentence and referring to that jogs my memory. No need to feel guilty - if we try our best to remember, the Holy Spirit will make up for our weak memory at the time we need it!
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jennifersworldreviewshenry
wow amen i needed to see this im working on doing better on this
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Anonymous
I use a flash card app on my iPad that lets me add the chapter and verse on one side of the card and the scripture on the other. Works great and makes it fun to learn.
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jessiekw
I didn't know about this app. It will work for me because I use my Ipad almost everyday.
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Anonymous
After writing them I underline all the nouns and start by memorizing them. Sometimes I put the scripture to the tune of a favorite song.
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gatehrdy
I really like this idea. Breaking down the scripture into the parts of speech. Excellent!
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Anonymous
For those who like to type, typing the verses as part of a regular review schedule helps. The kinestectic component of the brain is engaged and that helps retention. There are programs that time you or check accuracy percentage.
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Anonymous
flashcards,work wonderful! Repeat them once a day :)
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Anonymous
They are certain songs borrowed from verses so u can sing along then check which verse is it after the song h
as been inprinted in your mind,it's easier some times.
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Anonymous
I Record it onto a tape or Voice memo on my phone and play it back during the day
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Anonymous
So amazing for sure
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Anonymous
What I want to know is...starting from the first grade I could never memorize and it was a severe panic time for me to do so...then later on in life I had a profession that required a great deal of paperwork with records that if I didn't take the time to record them THEN it could have been lost so I "trained" myself NOT to rely on my memory for that reason...IF i had memorized any Scripture it was because it came with the choir anthems that I used to sing in Church when I was in choir and the director used a great deal of anthems direct from Scripture. Now I have a disability that requires medications that do not help with my memory so for someone like me....THIS PUTS A GIANT GUILT TRIP on me....what do I do???
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Anonymous
I tried to post a response a few minutes ago, but it didn't show up. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Every person and every situation is different, and I believe that God understands. Also remember that salvation isn't by works, it's through faith and the grace of Christ. If you read scripture and can't memorize it word for word, I think God will still bring concepts back to your mind in the future, when you need them most. Your heart will retain what your memory cannot. :-) No need to feel guilty. We serve a God who loves us beyond our own understanding. I hope this helps a little!
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Anonymous
Just remember that salvation isn't by works, it comes through faith. God understands. Don't be too hard on yourself. :-) As you read scripture, I think God will bring concepts to your heart that you will remember in the future. Sometimes, it's not all about remembering something word for word. Hope this helps ease the guilt a little!
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Anonymous
have an anxiety disorder which impacts my memory also, I know how you feel.
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kerrynom
Amen!
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Anonymous
Philippians 4:13 ... 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' ... let this be your anthem ...
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Anonymous
John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.