My Scripture Memory Program Part 3 (Learning)

Photo by Ryk Neethling

All right, finally! Here we are, ready to learn the first step of the Scripture memory program I've found to be so helpful: the initial learning of the verse.

Necessary Supplies:

• Index cards
• A box of small envelopes (that the index cards can fit into)
• Your Bible
• A Pen
• A Pencil

First, you'll need to select a verse or passage to memorize. If you are just starting out and are unfamiliar with the Scriptures, here are a few basic verses good to memorize to get you started: John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Psalm 119:105, just to name a few. Older believers- what verses would you add to this list? Please share in the comments!

If you're more familiar with your Bible, I recommend selecting verses that strike you in your daily reading, or finding a verse that addresses a struggle you are having with a particular sin or trial.

I have been memorizing a list of verses in the back of our catechism booklet, and my husband has been memorizing the Scriptures used in Matthew Henry's book, A Way To Pray (an excellent resource, by the way!).

 Mark one envelope with the word "Learning."

Copy your selected verse from your Bible onto an index card using your pen.Then take your pencil, and next to the verse write the numbers 25,20,15,10 and 5.

I apologize for the small writing, it's a little hard to see, but here are my cards for Psalm 25, which is what I am currently working on.

 It will take you five days to have the verse memorized. On day one, you are going to read the verse OUT LOUD (this is the key- you are engaging your eyes, mouth, and ears) 25 times. Then, using your pencil, cross off the number 25 on your card.

The next day you will say the verse out loud 20 times, and again, will cross off the number 20 on your card. Day three, you will say it 15 times, day four, 10 times, and day five, only 5 times (crossing the number off each day as you complete it).

You don't have to mark these things with a pencil, but I do just to help me remember where I am it in the process. This is especially helpful if you miss a day (which does happen to me, more or less depending on the season of life which I'm in). Just pick up where you left off!

When you've crossed off all five days worth of numbers, erase them. Now you should have the verse pretty well memorized. In order to ensure that it stays that way, tomorrow we will be taking a look at the daily review process... :)

Does everything make sense so far? Please let me know if something doesn't, and feel free to ask questions in the comments!