• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Anchored in Christ

KevinHalloran.net

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Popular Posts
  • Speaking
  • Resources
    • The Gospel
    • Free Prayer Tools
    • 100+ Book Recommendations for Christians
    • 100+ of the Best Christian Biographies
    • 250+ Free Online Seminary Classes, Courses, Programs, and Book Recommendations
    • Accessible Theology Book Series
  • When Prayer Is a Struggle
  • Videos
  • Español

Kevin / March 23, 2017

My #1 Strategy for Memorizing Scripture

photo 3

Memorizing Scripture allows us to internalize God’s Word, write it on our hearts, and cause it to richly dwell within us (see Colossians 3:16).

While there are many techniques, apps, and memory systems out there, the one strategy I have found the most helpful is this:

Stop trying to memorize Scripture.

Before you begin scribbling down notes for a rebuttal, let me explain what I mean.

One goal I have in my study of Scripture is to understand it in a deeply transformational way.

Every time I read through the Bible I want to comprehend and apply more of what I read. I want to have a good understanding of the context of a passage in its book and also the book in the whole of the Bible story. I want to know God better through His Word and have my life bear witness to my relationship with Him.

The most helpful thing I have done to learn and apply more of Scripture is to meditate on it. Meditating on Scripture is what caused the Psalm 1 man to be full of spiritual vitality and be compared to a tree planted by streams of water.

As we study Scripture and meditate on the passages we study, we set our roots deep down into God’s Word, drawing life and nourishment from its living water.

Another helpful image is that of a steak marinating. To have the best tasting steak, it needs to soak in marinade. Deeply studying the Word and meditating on it is like marinating our minds in a way that will make its wonderful truths soak into our minds and hearts.

Meditating on Scripture is what has helped me memorize Scripture more than anything else. Taking my time to understand the book of the Bible I am reading and meditating on its rich truths makes memorizing nearly effortless for me. This is a process I learned as I began preparing to preach, but something I try and keep with me day-to-day.

What I am describing is really memorization by repetition–but with a different focus.

Memorizing Scripture for memorizing Scripture’s sake is a good thing, but may cause one to misunderstand or misapply Bible verses by taking them from their context. Studying Scripture deeply and prayerfully meditating on it with the purpose of knowing and obeying God will cause His Word to stick in your mind without much added effort.

I don’t want to turn you off to your preferred memorization method—keep doing what works! Rather I hope to turn you on to an alternative way to think about memorization, meditation, and studying the Bible.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly

Related Posts

  • Why You Should Memorize Psalm 23Why You Should Memorize Psalm 23
  • How Memorizing Scripture as a Small Group Changed My LifeHow Memorizing Scripture as a Small Group Changed My Life
  • John Piper Reciting Romans 5:1-8 and Romans 8 from MemoryJohn Piper Reciting Romans 5:1-8 and Romans 8 from Memory
  • The Best Bible Verses to Memorize from Wayne GrudemThe Best Bible Verses to Memorize from Wayne Grudem
  • 10 Biblical Reasons to Memorize Scripture10 Biblical Reasons to Memorize Scripture

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Filed Under: Bible & Theology Tagged With: Scripture Memory, Tips for Memorizing Scripture

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Getting Beyond the Kind of Bible Reading That’s a Complete Waste of Time | Kevin Halloran's Blog | Christ, Culture, Books and More says:
    May 14, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    […] Meditate on the Scriptures. The “blessed man” of Psalm 1 meditates on the Scriptures day and night, resulting in being […]

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Now Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook

Recent Posts

  • God’s Sovereignty Should Fuel Prayer, Not Hinder It
  • The Best of 2022
  • What does “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” mean?
  • Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2022
  • A Free Worksheet to Organize Your Prayer Life
  • Pray the Bible: A Free Video Course on Prayer
  • Recommended Links for November 2022
  • Book Briefs (Fall 2022)
  • A Prayer Against Spiritual Complacency When Things Are Going Well
  • Announcing Logos Bible Software 10! New Features and Discounts

Blog Sponsors

Blog Categories

Bible & Theology Books & Reviews Christian Living Culture Evangelism Humor Leadership Life Links Marriage & Relationships Ministry Missions Prayer Quotes Resources Social Media & Technology






Footer

About Me

I serve with Open the Bible. I wrote When Prayer Is a Struggle: A Practical Guide for Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer (P&R). Learn more about the book.

Learn More

Let’s Connect!

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Instagram

Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

Videos: When Prayer Is a Struggle

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: I sometimes share affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through a link, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you to cover blogging expenses.

Copyright © 2023 · Digital Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.