Memorizing the Word of God

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

Oh, the perplexing topic of memorizing scripture. If you’ve been in bible studies long enough, you’ve probably heard every bible teacher teach how important this is. And they’re right, it is super important. I didn’t like to hear it because memorizing was hard for me. I would try and write out the scripture, put it in my kitchen window sill, and say it everyday. Then... Blank. I would literally draw a blank. So, I avoided it.

Until... I learned a trick. I actually learned a way to memorize scripture that made it easy. Then I became all about it. Memorizing the word of God has become a joy. It’s one of the most profound ways that I grow closer with the Lord. If you see me, ask me what verse I’m working on... that’s what I want for you too.

I was in a bible study with a bunch of ladies a couple years back. One of the parts of our study was memorizing key verses. A precious lady in my small group was sharing how she struggled memorizing. She is a teacher and shared she is a visual learner, and that is why it is hard for her. She told us she was going to come up with a way to help us learn these verses. The next week she came with a drawing of our first verse. She shared it with us and by the end of the study, the entire small group had it memorized and I can still say it to this day. I learned every verse that we were studying that year quickly (until the lovely pandemic stopped us in our tracks).

So, I decided to take this to another level. I bought a notebook and listed all the verses I’ve ever wanted to memorize. One by one I wrote them out and drew pictures. I easily memorized them and each week I would briefly go over the verses I learned. I memorized over 50 verses during the pandemic shutdown. I’m still on a roll and loving it.

I want to encourage you to memorize verses, but I also want you to find the joy in it too. Let’s look at this from a different perspective. The perspective of how blessed we are to have the word of God. How blessed we are to have minds that can learn it. How much fun it can be. If you have a sphere of influence, start encouraging them to do this as well... to hide the word in their heart!

Here’s how:

1. Pick a verse

2. Write it out

3. Draw pictures that mean something to you and will help you memorize it. (I’m no artist, most of my drawings are stick figures.) Try to limit yourself to spending no more than a few minutes drawing.

4. Go over a few times and then try saying it without looking. Go over daily until you’ve got it. (The longer ones do take more time.)

5. Every week quickly go over the verses you’ve learned to keep them fresh.

6. REPEAT

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8

If you need a verse to start with, start here:

“Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

One of my most favorite bible teachers told me that she feels this is the verse everyone should know because... well, the verse says it all, don’t you think?

Here’s other reasons why it’s so important to hide God’s word in your heart...

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...” 2 Timothy 3:16

“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Blooming Challenge: Pick a verse today, write, and draw it out. Start memorizing. Make this part of your daily time with God. Watch the relationship with your redeemer grow and bloom!!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3