Memory Monday: A Guest Post, Part 2

Joining us again this week is Mike Kelly. Last week he told us why we should memorize scripture and he wrote as though it were a letter from God. Since he used scripture as his basis, it really was a paraphrase of God's own words. (See Part 1 here.)

Today he again assumes that divine role and tells us some pointers on "how" to memorize scripture. Remember, God designed that brain of yours and He expects you to be thinking about good things. (cf. Philippians 4:8-9) Nothing is better to think about than the Bible!

"Dear Christian,

I promised to be back this week. This is the Lord with some practical ‘how to’ tips on memorizing scripture. Last week I challenged you (well, actually I commanded you) to take seriously the Scriptures that make clear the importance of memorization and meditation to spiritual growth.

This week is the nuts and bolts. Some steps to take in order to most successfully hide My Word in your heart.

First, let me say I have always found where there is a big enough ‘why’, people will usually find the how. Or, in common parlance, if you want it bad enough you will do it, regardless of the tools or training available.

So here are some steps and tips:
1. Read through the passage or verse you are going to memorize, including its’ context. Make sure you understand what is being said. A good tip here is to read it in 3 or 4 versions, including a paraphrase like The Message.
2. Rewrite the verse in your own words.
3. Read the verse aloud a number of times. Some of you are auditory learners.
4. Pray through the verse daily as you learn and review. Turn it into a prayer for others, or for your own growth.
5. Repeat the verse ALOUD often when you are driving or alone.
6. Think about how the verse applies to your life.
7. Every opportunity you get repeat it...to your spouse, to your kids, to a friend.
8. Write out a number of copies on 3 x 5 cards and post it on the bathroom mirror, in your car, on the refrigerator, and anywhere else you can think of-- so you see it often.
9. This probably is only for some of you, but sing the verse(s) when you can. Many have found this one of the best ways to remember.
10. With today’s technology, google it and save it on your smart phone. Easy access.
11. And finally, as in real estate the mantra is “location, location, location,” in memorization it is “REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW.” Set up a system to review daily, then weekly and finally once every month until it is truly engraved on your heart.

DO THIS AND YOU SHALL LIVE.

With All My Love,

The Lord"

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Mike Kelly is currently developing a full-time Twitter ministry (#MKBibleChat hashtag for anyone who would like to participate in the regularly scheduled chats) and the Bible Memory Coins system. (For ordering information visit the memory coin home page here.)

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Our list is not too short this week but most of them are familiar verses that come from The Sermon on the Mount. Remember that you are not expected to memorize all of them. Just pick one from this list or one of the previous lists (found here and here and here) to work on for the week, a month, or as long as it takes for you to be able to master it.

• Genesis 12:1-3 (God's call to Abraham)
• Matthew 5:3-11 (The Beatitudes)
• Matthew 5:14-16 (You might recognize one of these as my blog verse!)
• Matthew 6:9-13 (What is named "The Lord's Prayer" but is more appropriately called "The Model Prayer")
• Matthew 6:19-21
• Matthew 6:33 (One of my favorite verses!)
• Matthew 7:7
• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 11:28-30