Something that we've been doing ever since we started meeting over 6 months ago is memorizing entire passages of the Bible. This is NOT an easy thing to do, let me just tell you right up front. Memorizing individual Bible verses has never been something I was good at growing up; I never had a desire to, and I really thought that if I just knew where certain verses or passages were, then I could eventually find them when I needed it.
This kind of thinking is actually not just unhealthy; it's dangerous. For any believer, the Bible is the very Word of God. It is God's way of speaking to us about stories of the past, lessons we all must learn, truths we must believe, and commands we must follow. The famous passage of 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
First of all, notice that it doesn't say only some of Scripture is inspired. It says ALL Scripture is inspired. Secondly, if you look at any footnote in a study Bible, the word inspired means "God-breathed." God breathed these very words through the men that He chose. Whether you believe it was word-for-word spoken by God or that He only gave them a general idea of what to say, God gave His word to us, what He wanted to tell us. Thirdly, it is used to teach others (about the Gospel, the stories of His people, etc.), reproof (which is an expression of disapproval or pointing out sin), correction (not just pointing out our sin/flaws, but expressing a way to repent from them: learning from them and actively fixing them), and training in righteousness (a continual discipline to become more like Jesus Christ). All of these are VITAL to those claiming to be followers of Jesus.
With all of that said, these past few months have taught me so much about the importance of not only studying God's Word but also memorizing it, meditating on it, and letting it impact your life permanently. I am not perfect at it by any means, but I do know a few things that have helped me in this journey of memorizing individual verses and even entire chapters/passages of Scripture.
1. Have an accountability partner.
In my junior year of college, my best friend Alisha and I made a decision at the beginning of fall semester to start working out twice a week after our classes were done for the day. We were going to meet the same time those specific days, and we would have a plan for what we were going to do once we met that day: we would work for 30 min. on cardio (on either the bike, treadmill, or the elliptical) and 30 min. on a specific area (legs, arms, core). Every day was different on what we worked on, but the overall general plan was the same. Having Alisha there with me helped encourage me to keep going even when I didn't feel like it that particular day, and I know I helped her keep going as well. Having someone else there with me helped to keep me in check even when it was hard. We had a plan, and we stuck to it because we reminded each other of its importance.
The same thing goes for memorizing Scripture. There are times when I really don't feel like it, and there are weeks when I fail to progress any, but Michelle always keeps me in check and even sends me reminders throughout the week, and asks how I'm doing with it. I need that so that even when my fleshly feelings want to take control, I can still keep going despite how I feel.
2. Start small.
Before I had the ability to memorize whole passages, I had to discipline myself to memorize even just one verse. Even when memorizing whole passages, I have to take it one or two verses at a time every week. Even though Michelle may be able to go through 5-6 verses in a week (I don't know if she actually does or not), I know my limits, and I know it's not a race. However, if you know you are able to take on more at a time, then you should aim for that!
3. Put it on [repeat].
Repetition is key. I find it harder to remember what I've memorized if I don't repeat it every so often. Cramming memorization in the day before I meet with Michelle may work temporarily but I don't remember it by the next day if I don't constantly hear it, say it, or read it. It's like practicing an instrument/exercising/training for anything. Even if you only work on it 5-10 min. every day, it still retains better than if you cram it in the day before for 1 hour. I find that the best way to work on a verse is to read it at least once a day, work on speaking it at least 2-3 different times during the day, and if you have an audio Bible or an app on a mobile device that reads it to you, hearing it at least 2-3 different times from all of those in a day.
4. Actually meditate on what you're memorizing.
I had a really stressful night at work just recently, and it took everything in me to not fall apart in front of everyone. When I was cleaning all of the rooms in the clinic, I repeated some of the verses I had learned in the past few weeks that were applicable to all of the stress I was going through. Once I had finished cleaning the rooms, I had calmed down and was reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness even in stressful times. When you remember your verses, you are able to meditate on them in times when you need it the most. You are reminded of what is true and not on your feelings. Feelings can skew what is actually true. The Word of God is truth, and it never changes.
5. Ask God for help.
If you find that you just don't feel like memorizing, pray about it! Ask God to give you the desire to learn more about Him, to treasure His word in your heart. There is a passage in Matthew [7:7-8] that says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." God gives us the desire to pursue Him after He has already pursued us. He loves us, and wants us to desire to know Him! He will give you that desire if you ask for it. You may not have it all the time at first, but your love for His word will grow continually if you keep working at it.
I hope these practical tips will help you if you are trying to memorize Scripture, but may be too discouraged to continue, or even begin a task like this. Honestly, if someone like me can do it (I cannot remember names of new people I meet for the life of me), you can do it too. God gives us the desire to learn more about Him as we grow in our walk with Him, and I was ultimately given the desire to memorize His word. Like I've said before, I am DEFINITELY not perfect at it, and I don't think I ever will be. But I can always grow, always learn more. I am so thankful that I even have the opportunity to memorize and read a Bible without being persecuted for it. That puts it all into perspective . . .
