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Quiet Time Tip #2 - Bible Memorization

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Women Living Well Blog: Quiet Time Tip #2 - Bible Memorization

Women Living Well Blog

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Quiet Time Tip #2 - Bible Memorization

When I sit down to the piano it just flows. My hands begin to play Pachelbel's Canon without effort. How does that happen? Memorization and practice - years ago I determined to learn this difficult song and I practiced and practiced until I mastered it. And now, it comes easy, almost naturally.


Think of all the meaningless information you have memorized over the past 20 years - old phone numbers, old addresses where you used to live, or old songs from the radio.


It is incredible the possibilities our mind has, to take information in and retain it. But if we are not practicing this muscle and being intentional about memorizing God's word we will never have God's word hidden in our hearts. We must determine to put an effort in to reap the rewards. And so this post is going to be highly practical!


Bible memorization simply put is the repeating of words. Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, "Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That's where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization" ("Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person" in Vocatio, Vol. 12, no. 2, Spring, 2001, p. 7).


Keys to Bible Memory:

1. Pick a passage that's meaningful to you. Be intentional.


2. Meditate on it - dissect it - ingest it! Be intentional.


3. Write it out. Where you might ask? On post-it notes or index cards. Then put them in the bathroom, kitchen, by your computer or in your car. Be intentional.


4. Get the entire family memorizing and chart your progress on the refrigerator! Give out stars for progress - this gives you accountability. Speaking of accountability - you could also do this with your Good Morning Girls Groups! Be intentional.


5. Draw a picture of the verse you are memorizing - this is my favorite technique for the kids! Be intentional.


6. Count how many words there are in the verse - right it out that number of times and you'll have it! Be intentional.



7. Write it out and put it as lunch notes, letters to a friend or in an email to a friend. The more times you write it, the more it will sink in! Be intentional.


8. Be sure you memorize WHERE it's found! Be intentional.


9. Here is a place where you can type in a verse and it will convert it to just the first letter of each word. http://www.downes.ca/memorization.htm


10. Here is an on-line site where you can track all of your Bible memory work - I just joined their Facebook page! http://www.memverse.com/tutorial


Practice, practice, practice and before you know it the verses will overflow out of your mouth with ease. Be intentional. Arm yourself with the word of God!


To see a powerful Youtube of John Piper giving us 8 reasons why we should memorize scripture go to GoodMorningGirls.org and page down - don't miss this!


Walk with the King!

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11 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Taking the time to memorize the Bible is awesome. Great suggestions, thanks :)

May 20, 2010 at 8:19 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for the reminder girl! This is something that is hard for me because I have short term memory loss. I can read and forget at the same time. So putting these scriptures around my house so that I can see them day in and day out is what helps me!!

I love the tips!!

Serving with Joy
Sonya

May 20, 2010 at 8:52 AM  
Blogger Cranberry Morning said...

A good reminder of how important Scripture memory is, and that it shouldn't stop when you get too old for Bible Camp. :-)

May 20, 2010 at 8:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am exceptionally excited about tip #9-- the conversion chart. My goodness, how that makes learning even the longest verse easy! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing these tips which are above and beyond ways I normally think of doing memorization.

May 20, 2010 at 9:44 AM  
Anonymous heidi @ wonder woman wannabe said...

I was part of a bible memorization group with other young mama's for a time last summer - it was SO good.

I've enjoyed my recent first visits to your lovely blog - keep up the great encouraging work!

May 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM  
Blogger myletterstoemily said...

this is such sound teaching.

what we have memorized rises to the
top in time of need and encourages
our heart in between.

blessings on your sweet ministry,
lea

May 20, 2010 at 3:52 PM  
Blogger Traylor Branch Farm said...

Great post Courtney. I added a P.S. on my blog to what you have here. For those who want help memorizing, you should check out Janet Pope's book His Word in My Heart.

http://mymarriageismyjob.blogspot.com/2010/05/bible-memorization-ps.html

May 20, 2010 at 4:27 PM  
Blogger Jen said...

Thanks for the encouragement Courtney! This was one of the first disciplines I learned when I became a Christian. It is imperative that we have God's word "hidden in our hearts".
I always think about the possible circumstance where I am without my bible and need God's word. I want to be prepared so that I can know HIm and share Him wherever I go.
www.soulfullcafe.com

May 21, 2010 at 4:11 AM  
Blogger Stacia said...

This site helps you memorize verses by typing them over and over.
http://www.scripturetyper.com/

May 21, 2010 at 6:34 AM  
Blogger Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

Stacia - thanks for recommending scripture typer - very cool site!!!
Courtney

May 21, 2010 at 5:37 PM  
Anonymous Julie@comehaveapeace said...

Such a good list of idea, Courtney. I am always thankful for how God uses scripture I've memorized. I have yet to ever feel like it has been time and brain space wasted!

May 22, 2010 at 3:20 PM  

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