Scripture Memorization

“But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” – Deuteronomy 30:14

The single most transformative spiritual practice I have experienced is memorizing extended passages of Scripture. It has changed my life more than any Bible study, mentoring relationship, sermon series, or podcast. You can’t keep the word of God near you, and not be changed. And there is no better way to keep it near than to memorize it.

Memorizing Scripture is highly encouraged, if not implicitly commanded, by God, and Jesus modeled it. It allows us to meditate on every word from the mouth of God, a practice on which our very spiritual existence depends. It sanctifies us by both convicting us of sin and giving us weapons with which to fight temptation. It transforms our worldviews. It gives us wisdom for counseling and the ability to share the Word at any time. It comforts us during trials and sorrows. 

And it’s not as hard to do as it seems. Mostly, you just have to want to do it. It takes more desire than skill. More methodology than natural aptitude. In his book An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture (free online), Andy Davis walks you through why memorizing books is better than memorizing individual verses; how to choose your first book or chapter; how to make your plan. His method involves memorizing one verse a day using the following steps:

1. Recite yesterday’s verse out loud ten times, looking at the text as needed.

2. Recite all previous verses together out loud once, up to and including yesterday’s verse.

3. Read today’s verse out loud ten times looking at the text. Then cover the text and recite it ten times, looking back as needed.

The whole thing takes maybe 10-15 minutes, longer of course the more verses you collect, and there are various modifications once you get farther along. After the entire section or book is done, you recite it daily for 100 days, and if you want to keep it within memory’s reach, once a week thereafter. I’ve found a great time to do the once-a-week recitations is while running: gives my mind something to focus on, is an undistracted time, and I can measure how far I’ve run by how many chapters I’ve recited.

If I could share one exhortation for the new year, it would be this: keep the word near you. Memorize an extended portion of Scripture. You will understand it in entirely new ways and it will change your life.