Stay Spiritually Strong - Master Memorization
Although I grew up regularly attending church, Sunday School, and even parochial school where I was challenged to memorize the books of the Bible in order, I did not memorize Bible verses until my senior year in high school. It was then that Young Life came to town and a cute young couple, Eddie and Eva Evans, infused Gadsden High School with enthusiasm for the Lord. They lovingly and strategically invited students to gather to learn more about God’s Word and to worship Him. I was invited to my very first ‘discipleship group’ of about four girls plus Eva. I had to commit to being present, doing the assignments and memorizing the Scripture verses. Not only do I still recall those Bible verses, but I use them with the sixth and seventh grade Confirmation students I teach at our church.
As a First Place for Health Bible study leader I encourage participants in Scripture memorization as part of our studies. Each week we are challenged to learn a new verse. Sometimes verses are hard to remember, but I’ve come across strategies that have helped my students, my Bible study friends and me to memorize more easily. Here are a few:
- Write the verse out each day. I write my memory verses in my daily prayer journal.
- Write the verse on a small card you can keep in your car, purse, or carry along while walking for exercise. Saying it out loud helps me remember.
- Many people remember well when something is put to music. There are already numerous songs that are Scripture-based but I’ve also used familiar little kid’s tunes to memorize certain verses. For instance, I put Philippians 2:5 to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” (Your attitude should be the same, be the same, be the same.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.)
- If you add a few hand motions it makes memorizing even easier!
- But my absolute favorite strategy to jog my memory is a visual. I associate simple little pictures with the words of the verse and am better able to ‘remember’ the passage. Here is an example:
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
How about you? Do you have a favorite Bible verse stored in your heart? What makes memorizing easiest for you?
Shawn Maassel, Saint Leonard, MD
Shawn began taking Body & Soul® classes as a student in 1990 after her first child was born. Years later, after a move and transition to full-time church work, she became a Body & Soul® instructor in order to bring the ministry and classes to her new church. She has been leading classes since 2003 in Huntingtown, Maryland and enjoys being part of Body & Soul’s Spiritual Impact Team. Shawn and her husband have three grown children and one grandson across the country.
