How to Effectively Memorize Scripture

Introduction:

The best way I know of for memorizing the Word is to use Scripture memory cards.
Some people use 3x5 cards and some use the smaller calling cards, but the important
thing is that you carry your current memory cards with you wherever you go. That way
you can review your verses during handy moments throughout the day – waiting in the
dentist’s office, at the bus stop, as you drive to work, or whenever you have a spare
moment to “redeem the time.” The following suggestions will help simplify your
memorization:

I. Write the verse on cards.

Copying the verse right from Scripture onto a card in your own handwriting is helpful in
starting the memorizing process. Having them typed up looks better, but it doesn’t do as
much for your mind, initially.

II. Learn the verse by topics.

Just learning verses and their references can be rather confusing unless you take a few
seconds longer to learn a subject or topic for each verse. Rather than learn 50 random
verses, it is far more effective to learn one verse for 50 different subjects. The reason for
this is that the mind functions by subjects. When you want a verse on prayer or some
other subject, it is simple to think of one if you assigned that topic to the verse when you
learned it. Several experts in this field suggest that it is best to learn three verses for each
basic Bible subject before going to the next topic. There are two reasons for this. First, it
is easier to remember verses in groups of three if you originally learned them this way
than it is to learn one verse each for 50 subjects. Second, if you are a young Christian,
some subjects are more important for you to memorize at first than others. (Attached you
will find a list of three verses for 50 subjects that you should learn in your program for
gaining a working knowledge of the Bible in three years.)

III. Learn the references.

Always learn the references while memorizing the verse, or else you will end up in
confusion, with a lot of Scriptures in your mind but no idea where they are located.

IV. Memorize three verses a week.

Three verses a week is a time-proven ideal for Scripture memory. More than that tends to
be confusing to recall over a period of time, and less than that often fails to keep you
interested in Scripture memory. Three verses a week give you ample time to learn them
thoroughly with excellent recall.

V. Date and record each verse.

It is a good policy to put the date you begin learning a new verse on the back of a card.
You should also keep a record in your Bible study notebook in case you ever lose your
pack of verses.

VI. Read the verse aloud and picture it in your mind.

The easiest way to memorize a new verse after writing it down on your card with its
subject and reference is to read it aloud ten times, photographing it carefully in your mind
as you read it. After the tenth time close your eyes and mentally picture the entire verse.
 Say it aloud from memory, looking at the card only when necessary. After you have said
the verse successfully several times without resorting to the card, you are ready to go on
to the next verse.

The ideal policy, if you have enough time, is to learn your three verses the first day of
each week. This way, when you can say all three of them without help, you are
reasonably sure that by reviewing them three or four times a day you can retain them
easily by the once-a-day review method to be explained. Memorizing three new verses
can usually be done in 30 minutes, and the rest of your review program can ordinarily be
done in your spare time, as long as you carry your “current” verses with you.

VII. Review daily.

Educators tell us that “review is an aid to learning.” It is imperative that you review your
current week’s verses several times a day, particularly at the first of the week. You may
have said a new verse three times perfectly and put it in your once a day group. But the
first time you miss a word, bring the verse forward to your “current” section to be
reviewed several times a day.

VIII. Review for seven weeks.

The secret of lasting memorization is to review each verse daily for seven weeks. It has
been discovered that if you do this, then you can remove those verses to a once-a-week
program for seven months, after which you can drop them into a once a month review.

Someone has said, “Review a verse daily for seven weeks, once-a-week for seven
months, then once a month for seven months and you will remember it for life.” I have
found that I have to review verses once a month indefinitely or they may cause some
trouble in recall.

A handy way to arrange your verses for review is as follows:

A. Current Daily Pack – Not more than 21 verses divided into two groups (rubber
bands make good dividers.)
1. Three current verses and those missed during last review – review three to
four times daily.
2. Eighteen verses you review once daily.

B. Once-a-Week Pack – After the eighteenth week of your program, you should add
three new verses a week to this group for seven months.

C. Once-a-Month Pack – It will take about nine months to start putting verses into
this group, but by the time you do, you will be convinced of the worth of this
program of Scripture memory.

Taken from “How to Study the Bible for Yourself” by Tim LaHaye.
A. The following verses are the minimum that every new Christian should know.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

The Word – Commanded to Learn Josh. 1:8 Matt. 4:4 Col. 3:17
Assurance of Salvation I John 5:11,12 John 5:24 Rom. 8:1
Obedience – The Key to Happiness John 13:17 Luke 11:28 Psalms 119:1,2
The New Life in Christ 2 Cor. 5:17 John 10:10b Col. 2:6
Witnessing – Commanded Acts 1:8 I Peter 3:15 2 Tim. 4:2
Daily Prayer is Essential John 15:7 John 16:24 I Thes. 5:17

B. This next set of verses will help you to intelligently share your faith.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

God Loves All Men John 3:16 I John 3:16 Rom. 5:8
All Men Are Sinful Rom. 3:23 John 3:19 Rom. 3:12
The Results of Sin Rom. 6:23 Heb. 9:27 Rom. 5:12
Christ Paid for Man’s Sin 1 Cor. 15:3,4 1 Pet. 3:18 Gal. 3:13
Salvation is a Free Gift Eph. 2:8,9 Rom. 3:24 Titus 3:5
Christ is the Only Way of Salvation John 14:6 John 10:9 Isa. 53:6
Man Must Receive Christ Personally John 1:12 Rev. 3:20 John 5:24
Man Must Make Christ Lord of His
Rom. 10:13 Rom. 10:9,10 Acts 16:31
Life

C. This section shows the results of becoming a Christian.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

Pardon from Sin I John 1:9 Eph. 1:7 I John 2:1,2
Peace with God John 14:27 John 16:33 Isa. 26:3
A New Nature I Pet.1:23 Eph. 4:24 2 Pet. 1:4
New Power Within Col. 1:11 Eph. 3:20 Zech. 4:6
Victory over Sin I Cor. 10:13 I John 5:4,5 II Cor. 2:4
Victory over Worry Phil. 4:6,7 II Tim. 1:7 I Pet. 5:7
Victory over Anger Eph. 4:30-32 Psa. 37:8 Ecc. 7:9
Victory over Depression I Thes. 5:18 Col. 1:12 Psa. 100:4
The Holy Spirit Rom. 8:14 John 14:26 I Cor. 2:12
D. This group shows the new challenge that faces you as a Christian.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

To Separate from the World I John 2:15,16 II Cor. 6:17,18 Rom. 12:2
To Follow Christ Luke 9:23 I John 2:6 I Pet. 2:21
To Go and Witness Matt. 28:19,20 Acts 1:8 I Pet. 3:15
To Grow in Faith Heb. 11:6 Rom. 4:20,21 Acts 27:25
To Walk in the Spirit Gal. 5:16 Eph. 5:18 Col. 3:16,17
To Be Generous Luke 6:38 II Cor. 9:7 I Cor. 16:2
To Yield Yourself to God Rom. 12:1,2 Rom. 6:13 Rom. 6:16
To War a Good Warfare Eph. 6:10,11 II Tim. 2:3,4 Eph. 6:13
To Seek Christian Companions I Cor. 15:33 Prov. 4:14 Psa. 1:1

E. These verses show what new characteristics you can expect to find in your life.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

Love John 15:12 John 13:35 I Thes. 3:12
Joy Jer. 15:16 John 15:11 I Pet 1:18
Faith Eph. 6:16 Jas. 1:6 Rom. 5:1
Humility Rom. 12:3 I Pet. 5:5 Jas. 4:10
Patience Heb. 10:26 Rom. 12:12 Jas. 1:4
Wisdom Matt. 7:24 II Thes. 3:15 Jas. 3:17
Grace I Cor. 1:4 I Pet. 4:10 I Cor. 15:10
Comfort II Cor. 1:3,4 John 14:18 John 14:1
Forgiveness Mat. 6:14 Mark 11:25 Luke 17:4

F. These verses include essential teachings you should know about certain subjects.

Topic Set I Set II Set III

God Psa. 14:1 Prov. 1:7 Rom. 1:20
Jesus Christ Phil. 2:9,10 Col. 1:15,16 Heb. 1:1-3
Christ’s Resurrection I Thes. 4:14 I Pet. 1:3 Eph. 1:20
The Word of God II Tim. 3:16,17 Heb. 4:12 II Pet. 1:21
The Second Coming John 14:2,3 I Thes. 4:16,17 Titus 2:12,13
God Rewards Faithful Service II Cor. 5:10 I Cor. 3:13 Rom. 4:10
The Will of God Matt. 12:50 John 7:17 Eph. 6:6
Good Works Eph. 2:10 Heb. 10:24 Titus 2:7
Heaven Matt. 6:20 Luke 10:20 II Cor. 5:1
Man’s Ways Are Not God’s Ways I Cor. 2:14 I Cor. 1:18 Rom. 11:33